NWSL names a new commissioner, Tacoma Defiance one week away from opening, Montreal Impact survive Concacaf Champions League and more.

Seattle

Defiance Opening Night is just over a week away; R Promotional Schedule is out. The Week at Cheney Stadium - We R Tacoma

Captain Katrina Anderson, Foss Maritime, the tug life – they’re all part of why Tacoma is Tacoma. Captain Katrina Anderson is Defiantly Tacoma

One week prior to the launch of Tacoma Defiance’s 2020 campaign, Cheney Stadium will play host to soccer fans and all who take pride in the South Sound. 2020 Preseason Party - Tacoma Defiance

Crews break ground on NHL Seattle’s new training facility and headquarters at Northgate Mall Thursday morning. WATCH: Groundbreaking on NHL Seattle's new headquarters in Northgate | king5.com

MLS/USL

From Champions League to Leagues Cup, Giuseppe Rossi is a fascinating addition to Real Salt Lake. Why Giuseppe Rossi’s RSL deal is exciting and weird - RSL Soapbox

Ahead of the league’s 25th season, MLS owners have an optimistic outlook for the league’s popularity against other sports leagues like MLB and NHL. MLS owners predict passing MLB, NHL in popularity - Sports Illustrated

In an amusingly ironic contrast to their new head coach’s illustrious past, the Impact survived and advanced in Concacaf Champions League by parking the bus. Thierry Henry, Montreal Impact park le bus to survive and advance in CCL | MLSsoccer.com

NWSL/Women’s Soccer

The top division of women’s football in Finland has announced that it will change its name from Women’s League to National League. Finnish FA drops 'women's' prefix for league in push for equality | Football | The Guardian

Lisa Baird comes to NWSL with a long resume of marketing experience. NWSL finds new commissioner in Lisa Baird - All For XI

Saudi Arabia will launch a national female football league in March, just two years since a ban on women attending football stadiums was lifted. Saudi Arabia to launch women's football league | The Telegraph

The long-awaited NWSL schedule was released this week, and the amount of must-see matchups are too numerous to contemplate for most people. Five Must-See National Women’s Soccer League Matchups In April | Forbes

After the announcement of ‘The Second Half’, Adrian Farina explains how Visa’s new initiative aims to encourage more young girls to take up the sport. Life after football: How Visa is helping women succeed after playing days are over | Goal.com

World

Face masks, financial implications and empty stadiums - coronavirus is leaving a mark on Italian football. Coronavirus: How Italian football is coping with outbreak - BBC Sport

Restrictions on the number of loan deals clubs can agree are set to come into force next season. Clubs face loan restrictions after Fifa announces new regulations - BBC Sport

Supporters of Dutch side ADO Den Haag interrupted a club training session this week to give the coach and players tactical advice. Fans storm ADO Den Haag training session to give team tactical advice

The FIFA Stakeholders Committee has recommended that it should formally prevent leagues from holding official matches outside of home territories. FIFA urged to ban staging of league games in other countries

South American football body CONMEBOL is reported to threaten clubs with a ban if they withhold their naming rights. FIFA 20: CONMEBOL Threaten Ban To Clubs Who Withhold Naming Rights - Footy Headlines

Gianni Infantino outlines his plans for global soccer body. Fifa to discuss rules on leagues taking games overseas - SportsPro Media

What’s on TV?

9:00 AM - RB Salzburg v. Eintracht Frankfurt - Europa League - B/R Live, TUDN

11:00 AM - Willem II v. Groningen - Eredivisie - ESPN+

11:30 AM - Fortuna Dusseldorf v. Hertha BSC - Bundesliga - FS2

12:00 PM - Norwich City v. Leicester City - Premier League - NBCSN

5:00 PM - Toluca v. Monterrey - Liga MX - ESPN Deportes

7:00 PM - Morelia v. Cruz Azul - Liga MX - TUDN

7:10 PM - Tijuana v. Puebla - Liga MX - ESPN Deportes