MLS / USL

It took an awful lot of bad press for the league to basically go back to where they were at the start of the season, but they finally got there. MLS lifts ban on fan groups’ use of Iron Front symbol | Yahoo Sports

Fear and Desire: TV Ratings, Revenue, and MLS’ relationship with the Latinx Community — American Soccer Analysis
There’s a great little line of dialogue in the 1993 film ‘True Romance’ where Christian Slater tells Saul Rubinek “You have to come to terms with your fear and desire.” This is a phrase I love so much that I would put it in a sermon, if it weren’t for the fact that there’s simply no good way to quote Quentin Tarantino from the pulpit.

Diego Valeri may leave Timbers in 2020 thanks to impasse over new contract – The Athletic ($)
The Argentine star may soon leave the club he captains after talks over a new deal turned sour.

How Steve Clark became a Portland Timbers hero for the right reasons | MLSsoccer.com
Steve Clark has a history with the Portland Timbers, and in 2019 has had a career year playing for them.

Playoff Scenarios: LAFC can clinch Supporters’ Shield Wednesday night | MLSsoccer.com

LA Galaxy’s Matt Lampson on what powers the LampStrong Foundation and being a “philanthropic a**hole” | MLSsoccer.com
Matt Lampson has twice been named the MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, but that isn’t why he started the LampStrong Foundation in 2013.

It looks a lot like many other modern stadium renderings, but that’s not a bad thing. Columbus Crew SC unveils new renderings for downtown stadium - Massive Report
”Coming in 2021...”

Exclusive | Andrés Guardado will play in the MLS from 2020 | TUDN (Spanish)
Chicago Fire lleva ventaja para firmar al mexicano como jugador franquicia.

Florida Soccer Soldiers takes step to another U.S. Open run | Miami Herald
Semi-pro team Florida Soccer Soldiers, which reached the third round of the 2019 U.S. Open Cup, hopes for another Cinderella run in 2020. They won first qualifying match 2-0 over the Red Force on Sunday.

FC Tucson’s stretch of must-win games starts Tuesday against visiting Greenville | tucson.com
FC Tucson coach Darren Sawatzky knows his team most likely needs nine points over the next three games if it wants to go to the postseason.

OCSC has made some big moves grabbing youth internationals. ORANGE COUNTY SC SIGNS ANOTHER U.S. U-17 INTERNATIONAL
Diego Lopez joins from Atlanta United 2.

NWSL / Women’s soccer

Comment: Not just box-ticking but genuine progress as women’s football takes its place at the top table – The Athletic ($)
With goalkeeper and best XI for the first time, women’s football shone at the FIFA Best awards.

Even USSF shared the erroneous figure in their PR packet when arguing against the EEOC suit. What Is the Women’s World Cup Worth? Not Even FIFA Knows - WSJ
The viral spread of an inaccurate revenue figure shows how little is known about the popularity of the Women’s World Cup.

US soccer

USA TODAY/UNITED SOCCER COACHES GIRLS FALL HIGH SCHOOL RANKINGS — SEPT. 24, 2019 - SoccerWire
Spokane Valley’s Central Valley makes the list.

World soccer

Colchester United 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs crash out of League Cup on penalties - Cartilage Free Captain
No comment.

Infantino - Serie A’s handling of racism ‘absurd’
FIFA president Gianni Infantino lambasted Italian football authorities for “hiding the truth” about racism in a scathing assessment on Tuesday.

Zidane annoyed as Real Madrid injury list grows
Zinedine Zidane said he was frustrated by not worried at Real Madrid’s growing injury list this season, with Ferland Mendy out vs. Osasuna.

Messi exited with ‘small groin problem’ - Valverde
Lionel Messi was taken off at half-time after receiving treatment on his groin during Barcelona’s game against Villarreal on Tuesday.

Man City: Bernardo Silva punishment over tweet would be ‘mistake’ - BBC Sport
It would be a “mistake” to punish Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva for a tweet about team-mate Benjamin Mendy, says boss Pep Guardiola.

Tottenham need time to rebuild squad harmony - Mauricio Pochettino - BBC Sport
Manager Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham need time to overcome the “different agendas in the squad” after their Carabao Cup exit at Colchester.

Leicester City owner ‘declines’ crash victim’s family claim - BBC News
King Power, which owns Leicester City, says it offered “financial support” to the family but they declined.

West Ham ban fan for ‘disgusting’ racist video at London Stadium - BBC Sport
West Ham ban a supporter for life and contact police after a racist video was posted on social media.

Rochdale’s Ollie Rathbone: ‘Leaving Manchester United was the best thing I’ve done’ | Football | The Guardian
The midfielder played with Rashford and McTominay but ‘didn’t get a sniff’ at the club he will face at Old Trafford on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup

Ed Woodward pledges faith in Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United | Football | The Guardian
Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has pledged his faith in Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær

‘Football can transform the world’: Jürgen Klopp on joining Common Goal | Football | The Guardian
Jürgen Klopp has become the latest high-profile person to join Common Goal

FIFA 20 kick-starts the franchise by taking soccer back to where it began: the street
FIFA 20 delivers as expected with the standard game and career modes, but its best innovation might be the VOLTA story and style of play.

The most intense derby never played – ProSoccerTalk
After a seven-year wait the south coast derby returned, and it delivered.

Current, former Bayern Munich board members indicted in VW emissions scandal - Bavarian Football Works
VW CEO and sitting board member Herbert Diess and former member Martin Winterkorn will face charges for market manipulation in connection with the VW emissions scandal.

What’s on TV?

10:00 AM: Mallorca vs. Atlético Madrid (La Liga) — BeIN Sports

10:00 AM: Roma vs. Atalanta (Serie A) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Milton Keynes vs. Liverpool (League Cup) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Chelsea vs. Grimsby Town (League Cup) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Manchester United vs. Rochdale (League Cup) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Real Madrid vs. Osasuna (La Liga) — BeIN Sports

12:00 PM: Fiorentia vs. Sampdoria (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Genoa vs. Bologna (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Internazionale vs. Lazio (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Napoli vs. Cagliari (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Parma vs. Sassuolo (Serie A) — ESPN Deportes

12:00 PM: SPAL vs. Lecce (Serie A) — ESPN+

4:00 PM: NYCFC vs. Atlanta United (MLS) — ESPN+

4:30 PM: Loudoun United vs. Swope Park Rangers (USL Championship) — ESPN+

4:30 PM: Atlanta United II vs. Indy Eleven (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Tulsa Roughnecks vs. San Antonio FC (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Minnesota United vs. Sporting KC (MLS) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Juárez vs. América (Liga MX) — TUDN

5:00 PM: Santos Laguna vs. Veracruz (Liga MX) — FS2

6:00 PM: Houston Dash vs. Washington Spirit (NWSL) — ESPN2

6:30 PM: Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy (MLS) — ESPN+

7:00 PM: Reign FC vs. Utah Royals (NWSL) — Yahoo Sports

7:05 PM: Cruz Azul vs. Monterrey (Liga MX) — TUDN

7:06 PM: Tijuana vs. Morelia (Liga MX) — FS1

7:30 PM: LAFC vs. Houston Dynamo (MLS) — ESPN+

7:30 PM: Portland Timbers vs. New England Revolution (MLS) — ESPN+

8:00 PM: San Jose Earthquakes vs. Philadelphia Union (MLS) — ESPN+