As leagues start to find resolutions to their seasons, soccer leagues at the highest levels in the United States still hold out hope for some sort of return or beginning. Megan Rapinoe offers to throw her hat into the ring for the 2020 presidential election, Abby Wambach joins a start-up sports league, and the entire sports world gets nostalgic.

Seattle/Tacoma

The conference will feature a wide variety of guest speakers and panelists who have experience working with clubs and/or national teams as well as a select few from other sports and industries. 2020 Sounders FC Soccer Analytics Conference | Seattle Sounders FC

I mean, I guess there are worse choices out there for potential VPs. Megan Rapinoe throws support behind Joe Biden in Instagram chat, offers to be his running mate

The Red Card Wedding takes top-billing in this round of the MLS Moments Battle Royale. MLS Moments Battle Royale Day 3 - Dead Ball Daily

MLS/USL

USL is no longer putting an earliest possible return date on the seasons for its top two leagues. USL Championship, League One suspension grows; League Two canceled - Sports Illustrated

Five local clubs impacted by decision to cancel season; slate of exhibition games still a possibility USL League Two cancels 2020 season - Brotherly Game

From 1996 to their rebranding in 2004, the Dallas Burn mascot was a horse borrowed from a local Medieval Times. Here’s the story of how and why. From Medieval Times to MLS: The story of Islamico, MLS's largest live animal mascot | MLSsoccer.com

For a league to be added to a soccer video game, it requires careful consideration from both sides. FIFA or PES? The USL is prioritizing video game representation – The Athletic ($)

Icarus FC makes great kits; here’s 10 of them. A Top 10 list of jerseys created by Philly’s own Icarus FC - Brotherly Game

With Rocket League all wrapped up, the next iteration of the USL eCup will pit players against players in FIFA20. United Soccer League Announces USL eCup: FIFA20 Edition

NWSL/WoSo

In many ways, 2020 was shaping up to be the biggest year in Chicago Red Stars history. Then the coronavirus pandemic forced the NWSL to suspend play and put clubs in a precarious financial position. Chicago Red Stars get creative to keep interest amid coronavirus - Chicago Tribune

Union fears pandemic risks exacerbating existing inequalities unless key stakeholders commit to change. Equality essential to football's 'new normal', says Fifpro

A thousand fans from across the country RSVP’d to attend the video conference, and even more tuned in to a live stream on YouTube making it the largest jersey reveal in the Red Stars’ history. Chicago Red Stars introduce the ‘Neighborhood Kit’ virtually - Chicago Sun-Times

The shirt features the names of Chicago’s neighborhoods. Chicago Red Stars unveil new flag-inspired “Neighborhood Kit” - Hot Time In Old Town

The president of the Haitian football federation has been accused of sexually abusing young female footballers but denies the allegations. Haiti FA president accused of sexually abusing young female players | Football | The Guardian

The women’s game needs and deserves to grow, and for that to happen the minimum standards have to be improved. FIFPRO report highlights need for greater support of players to grow women’s game – The Athletic

The global transfer market is going to obviously be impacted, at least for a while, but the ramifications may be even greater for a league like the NWSL where the salaries for players being moved may not be worth the challenge of jumping through the various hoops. How much will pandemic stifle the NWSL transfer market? – Equalizer Soccer

The women’s game is being held back by a lack of investment. FIFPro report: the women’s game needs more professionalization - All For XI

Abby Wambach is joining up with Athletes Unlimited to help launch the new kind of professional sports league. Kevin Durant, Mendoza, Wambach help launch volleyball league

USA

In one throw, two passes, and one perfectly-placed deflection, American soccer experienced an unprecedented jolt of insanity. ‘Wild joy’: An oral history of Landon Donovan’s dramatic, World Cup-saving goal – The Athletic

My first was a strange USA-France 1998 World Cup commemorative jersey, but I guess really it was a bootleg Waldo. Jersey Week: What’s the first U.S. jersey you ever owned? - Stars and Stripes FC

World

FFA chief executive James Johnson says it’s too early to know if all 11 A-League clubs can survive the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Too early to say' if all 11 A-League clubs will survive | The Age

Feedback from viewers has shown that empty stands massively impact watching a game and broadcasters are keen to compensate. Sky Sports considers using CGI fans if Premier League returns behind-closed-doors | inews

There are concerns fans will not be able to attend games until 2021, according to a leaked recording heard by the BBC. English Football League: No fans at games until 2021, according to leaked recording - BBC Sport

Sergio Aguero says players are scared of the risks of returning to football during the coronavirus crisis, as the Premier League continues to work on ‘Project Restart’. 'Players are scared' - Manchester City star Aguero casts doubt on Premier League restart | Goal.com

Clubs from League One and League Two are meeting on Thursday afternoon to discuss easing their financial pressures by capping spending on players’ salaries. EFL: League One & League Two clubs set for decision on player salaries spending cap | Football News | Sky Sports

Easter Island: amateur football at its purest Who We Are - News - Easter Island: Amateur football at its purest - FIFA.com

Premier League clubs will discuss plans for resuming the season in a conference call on Friday but the practicalities of how to even begin training will be the first obstacle they have to overcome with “Project Restart”. Plans for training first step in Premier League's 'Project Restart' - Reuters

According to a report on kicker, the DFL is set to implement league wide testing of COVID-19 in the latest sign pointing towards the Bundesliga resuming sooner rather than later. Bundesliga: DFL starts league-wide COVID-19 testing in advance of restart - Bavarian Football Works

The midfielder wants to get back out on the pitch. Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic willing to get coronavirus to play football - Barca Blaugranes

The meltdown is historic, touching every sector of the $100 billion U.S. sports industry and imposing economic losses greater than those in the country’s pandemic epicenter, New York City. Sudden vanishing of sports due to coronavirus will cost at least $12 billion, analysis says