MLS / USL

Bad luck continues to plague the Whitecaps as they lost starting goalkeeper Max Crepeau to an injury and might be unable to roster a backup for Thursday’s game due to a quirk of transfer rules. Whitecaps decimated, not demoralized by Crepeau’s broken thumb | Vancouver Sun

The MLS is Back bubble has eaten 14,000 pounds of chicken. How is the Swan and Dolphin hotel keeping up with the appetites of 24 insatiable clubs? Food in the MLS is Back bubble: Consuming nearly 5,000 meals a day and still ordering Chipotle | ESPN

Potential move for Ghanaian forward currently at Wiesbaden hampered by pandemic restrictions. Report: Red Bulls interested in Daniel-Kofi Kyereh - Once A Metro

Lindsay Simpson played a variety of roles for D.C. United until two years ago, when she was struck by a piece of metal on the stadium’s opening day. Lindsay Simpson had her dream job before Audi Field accident changed everything - The Washington Post

NWSL / women’s soccer

The investor group is absolutely bonkers. Los Angeles investor group announces NWSL expansion team for 2022 - All For XI

The worst-kept secret in pro sports is a secret no longer, with the official announcement Tuesday that the NWSL has granted an expansion team to a Los Angeles group to begin play in 2022. How Natalie Portman, Serena Williams And NWSL LA Ownership Change The League | Forbes

Two members of the LA expansion team’s ownership group talk about how the project took shape and the importance of a few tweets. Angel City’s Alexis Ohanian and Julie Uhrman on a shared vision for NWSL in LA – The Athletic ($)

LA NWSL co-founders Julie Uhrman and Alexis Ohanian also joined Meg Linehan’s podcast to discuss Angel City and their vision for 2022. NWSL is coming to Los Angeles - Full Time with Meg Linehan Podcast - The Athletic

Sky Blue FC has their semifinal appearance on the horizon, Purce’s second semifinal trip in three years. Sky Blue FC’s Midge Purce opens up about playing outside back and her plans for NWSL’s Black Players Coalition - CBSSports.com

The Washington Spirit’s Kaiya McCullough talks about being deep in fandom since childhood. Kaiya McCullough loves a good flawed superhero - All For XI

The NWSL Board of Directors met on Tuesday to discuss if and how the league plans to move forward this season after the Challenge Cup. NWSL board to decide soon if league will play more games in 2020 – Equalizer Soccer ($)

Ante Milicic had already agreed to a position at Macarthur FC, having hoped to be in charge of Australia for the Tokyo 2020 football tournament, before the Games were postponed. Matildas forced to look for new coach after Ante Milicic steps down | The Guardian

US soccer

International soccer in 2020 looks like a go. Gregg Berhalter expects Concacaf World Cup qualifying to begin in November - Stars and Stripes FC

World soccer

Liverpool will receive the Premier League trophy on Wednesday, and local police are anxious to avoid repeat of last month’s scenes. Merseyside police warns Liverpool fans not to gather outside Anfield | The Guardian

Two first-half goals from Raheem Sterling – the second following up after his penalty was saved – led the way as Manchester City damaged Watford’s goal difference with a 4-0 win. Watford’s survival hopes hit as Raheem Sterling sparks Manchester City rout | The Guardian

Promotion, relegation and play-off places are yet to be settled entering the final round of games in this extraordinary season. Expect more twists in the tale as Championship enters final chapter | The Guardian

Coventry, which has played at Sixfields, Ricoh Arena and St Andrew’s since leaving Highfield Road in 2005, has announced plans for a new ground. Coventry announce plans for new ground on Warwick University campus | The Guardian

Chelsea explored using the pair as part of a deal, but West Ham are adamant they have no intention of selling Rice. West Ham rule out swapping Rice for Chelsea’s Barkley and Batshuayi | The Guardian

Chelsea are also interested in player they sold for £20m in 2017. Bournemouth’s Nathan Aké expected to join Manchester City in £35m transfer | The Guardian

The move may hinge on Champions League qualification. Chelsea close to agreement with Kai Havertz but no deal yet with Leverkusen | The Guardian

The club is only sixth side to ever win the Super Lig. Istanbul Basaksehir win Turkish title for first time to end big three dominance | The Guardian

Gerardo Bedoya is the football player to receive the most red cards in history. The story of the world’s ‘dirtiest’ footballer - BBC Sport

What’s on TV?

9:30 AM: Portland Thorns vs. Houston Dash (NWSL Challenge Cup) — CBS All Access

10:00 AM: Manchester United vs. West Ham United (Premier League) — NBCSN

10:30 AM: Parma vs. Napoli (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:15 PM: Liverpool vs. Chelsea (Premier League) — NBCSN

12:45 PM: Lecce vs. Brescia (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:45 PM: Inter vs. Fiorentina (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:45 PM: Sampdoria vs. Genoa (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:45 PM: Torino vs. Hellas Verona (Serie A) — ESPN+

12:45 PM: SPAL vs. Roma (Serie A) — ESPN+

4:30 PM: Philadelphia Union II vs. NYRB II (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: OKC Energy vs. Rio Grande Valley (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: FC Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls (MLS) — ESPN

7:00 PM: Sky Blue FC vs. Chicago Red Stars (NWSL Challenge Cup) — CBS All Access

7:30 PM: Colorado Rapids vs. Minnesota United (MLS) — ESPN