Happy Thursday! Sounders have some of the best playoff moments, the NWSL tournament is going forward, an illegal soccer match in France, and would a salary cap work in Europe?

Seattle

Mayor Woodards attends to give a personal thank-you The Cheney Stadium Bloodworks NW Pop-up Donor Center has collected 274 units of whole blood since the pop-up opened on May 4. First responders, frontline workers get their day at Cheney Stadium blood drive | Tacoma Weekly

MLS

The Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, when the stakes go up and crazy is often in the cards, have produced plenty of memorable moments. My top 10 favorite Audi MLS Cup Playoff moments | Andrew Wiebe | MLSsoccer.com

In the end, Banc of California paid just over $35m to have their name on the stadium for only three years. Banc of California Paid $20M to End L.A. Soccer Stadium Name Agreement 12 Years Early – Variety

NWSL

The NWSL Challenge Cup will likely make women’s soccer the first American pro sport to return to live games. How NWSL players secured a return-to-play deal with no pay cuts – The Athletic ($)

The move is in support of the 2020 Challenge Cup, which will take place at Hansen-owned facilities. Hansen expects to bring back “30 to 40 people” in support of NWSL tournament - RSL Soapbox

Women’s professional soccer in New Orleans? Opinion: Forget minor league baseball in the Big Easy, think NWSL for NOLA

USA

A few Americans are playing real life soccer. USMNT News & Updates - Yanks in Germany: Bundesliga Action - Stars and Stripes FC

Mexico will not be playing in the United States until fans are allowed back into stadiums, said Mexico federation president Yon De Luisa. No Mexico games in U.S. until fans return - Mexico federation president

The 1919 Stanley Cup finals with Seattle and Montreal were more than a century ago, but they are bound to current reality by the struggle against a deadly virus and the push for sports to return. The Cost of Rushing Back to Sports: A Star’s Life - The New York Times

World

Fans will be able to cheer — or boo — from the comfort of their couches, and their reactions will be broadcast inside stadiums. Japan develops remote cheer app for empty sports stadiums - The Washington Post

For good or bad, you can’t write the history of the modern Champions League without Jose Mourinho. In 2020, it’s in danger of passing him by. Champions League made Mourinho and Mourinho made the Champions League. Can he win it again?

The global pandemic has European soccer talking about a salary cap, but Gab Marcotti argues that there’s more realistic ways to control costs. U.S.-style salary cap would fail in Europe's top soccer leagues. Here's why

Broadcasters argue that closed-doors games devalue the product but some Premier League clubs will argue against this at a meeting on Thursday. Liverpool among clubs to argue against paying £330m rebate to broadcasters | Football | The Guardian

Arsenal’s invincible right-back tells Sid Lowe how the warmth of Dein and Wenger led him to Highbury and the joy almost fighting Henry still brings him. Lauren: 'No one wanted to ref in training. Wenger hid. Pat Rice was the bravest' | Football | The Guardian

In a new book, the World Cup winner discusses growing up in France and the racism he encountered throughout his career. Lilian Thuram: 'My classmates judged me because of my skin colour' | Football | The Guardian

Officials have appealed for spectators and participants of Sunday’s illegal soccer match in Strasbourg to be tested for the coronavirus. Fans who attended illegal soccer game in France urged to get tested | theScore.com

The coach was dismissed in 2014, shortly after disclosing he had autism. Arsenal Women fined £50,000 over sacking of autistic coach | The Guardian

Two MLS ownership groups are going head to head. City Football Group to battle Red Bull Group for Russian first division team - Bitter and Blue

Four individuals from three clubs have tested positive for coronavirus in the latest round of Premier League testing. Four more individuals from three clubs test positive for coronavirus in latest round of testing | Daily Mail Online

The 2019-2020 Copa MX final will still take place but the tournament won’t return next year because of the busy calendar expected in 2020-21. Liga MX announce there will be no Copa MX in 2020-2021 season - FMF State Of Mind