The future of English football is hanging in the balance now. COVID-19 has pushed many teams in the lower divisions to the financial brink. The top-six clubs have capitalized on the need for cash by the lower divisions to try and seize absolute power over English football and re-draw the leagues and the voting structure, no more one club, one vote, in decision making. Are the lower divisions side ready to make a deal with the proverbial devils (led by the Red Devils)?

Seattle

Brisbane Roar is pleased to announce former Young Roar captain Jesse Daley has signed on at the Club ahead of the upcoming A-League season. Former Young Roar captain Jesse Daley returns home to Brisbane | Brisbane Roar FC

MLS/USL

The parties reportedly included one on Oct. 3 in which shots were fired. Sam Johnson barred from RSL activity after reportedly holding large house parties - RSL Soapbox

Is no news good news, or is no news bad news? Either way, more news would be nice. Ownership Watch: All quiet on the Wasatch Front - RSL Soapbox

Damning interview reveals the systemic racism inside FC Dallas. FC Dallas allegedly wanted Reggie Cannon to apologize - Big D Soccer

Would Ellis, or anyone, want a challenge this big? DC United rumored to be considering Jill Ellis for vacant manager spot - Stars and Stripes FC

With two and a half weeks still remaining in the Secondary Transfer Window, MLS clubs are still working to fine-tune their rosters for the playoff push. One key piece of currency in acquiring talent can be international slots. At this stage of the season, there aren’t a ton of international slots unused across MLS. Which MLS teams have international roster slots available? | MLSsoccer.com

To go along with this, the two teams most likely to make it would be a repeat final, for a fourth time. FiveThirtyEight: Toronto FC’s Supporters’ Shield chances greater than 50 percent | MLSsoccer.com

It was another eventful week in MLS in Week 17, with positioning for the playoffs and the Supporters’ Shield all continuing to take shape as the season hits its stretch run. Here is a takeaway for each team as we look ahead. 26 Takeaways: Week 17 observations for each of the 26 MLS teams | Steve Zakuani | MLSsoccer.com

Pro soccer’s North American expansion didn’t stop during the pandemic, it just slowed down. USL League One Team Coming To NH

USA

In Massachusetts, rules changes brought on by the pandemic are forcing soccer players and coaches to adapt to a very different game. Play Hard. Have Fun. Don’t Touch Anyone. - The New York Times

The proposed deal to take the parent company of the Boston Red Sox public leaves Billy Beane with a difficult choice: He runs the Oakland A’s front office and holds a minority stake in the team, and could soon have an interest in the Red Sox. He could resolve that conflict by turning to other sports, including European soccer. Billy Beane Set to Leave Baseball Behind in Fenway Sports Deal - WSJ

The US men’s national team is poised to gather for the first time since a Feb. 1 friendly, according to Steven Goff. Report: US men's national team eyes November friendlies with Europe-based camp | MLSsoccer.com

USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie has said he represents a country that “possibly doesn’t even accept me just for the color of my skin.” Juventus, USMNT star Weston McKennie: My country might not accept me due to skin color

World

The reform plans engineered by the owners of Manchester United and Liverpool have failed to gain support from their top-flight peers. Project Big Picture under pressure as Premier League clubs fail to back reform | Premier League | The Guardian

Exclusive: The project plans to invest a total of £67m into women’s, professional and grass-roots games each year from the 2022-23 season. Project Big Picture’s radical proposals to inject £51m into women’s football

The proposal to “save” English soccer, led by officials from Liverpool and Man United, would help the game, but at what actual cost? Project Big Picture is an attempted power grab by Liverpool, Man United and Premier League’s elite

Some EFL clubs will “disappear within five to six weeks” unless they get financial support, says Nigel Travis, chairman of League Two Orient. EFL clubs could ‘disappear within five to six weeks’ - Leyton Orient chairman - BBC Sport

West Ham would be against radical plans by Liverpool and Manchester United to reform the English football pyramid, according to a club insider. Premier League: West Ham are against radical Big Picture plans - BBC Sport

Former Manchester City star Robinho has returned to his boyhood club Santos and will earn a salary which is just above Brazil’s minimum wage. Ex Brazil Real Madrid star Robinho returns to Santos on 271 monthly wage

Salford City sacked boss Graham Alexander and put former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes in interim charge. Graham Alexander: Salford City sack boss & put Paul Scholes in charge - BBC Sport

What’s on TV?

9:00 AM - Latvia v. Malta - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

9:00 AM - Azerbaijan vs Cyprus - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Liechtenstein vs San Marino - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Faroe Islands v. Andorra - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Germany v. Switzerland - UEFA Nations League - ESPN2, ESPN+

11:45 AM - Ukraine v. Spain - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Montenegro vs Luxembourg - UEFA Nations League - ESPN+

12:00 PM - Mexico v. Algeria - Friendly - Univision, TUDN

4:00 PM - Wake Forest v. Clemson - NCAA Women’s Soccer - ACC Network, ESPN+