Puget Sound

The Seattle Kraken are NHL’s best-selling expansion identity launch ever, beating the previous record set by the Vegas Golden Knights. Seattle Kraken devour Knights’ expansion launch mark | ESPN

MLS / USL

Turner Construction has halted work on FC Cincinnati’s $250 million West End stadium because of “racist incidents” by subcontractors. FCC stadium work stopped because of ‘racist incidents’ - Cincinnati Business Courier

30 professional MLS academies, 5 USL academies and 78 additional elite academies are now participating in the platform that replaced the old US Soccer Development Academy. Major League Soccer adds 19 clubs to elite player development platform | MLSsoccer.com

Sounders are in the Talent ID Working Group. MLS & Elite Youth Club Working Group and Conference Chair Members | MLSsoccer.com

NWSL / women’s soccer

Fans are feeling much better about the direction of the league than they were a few months ago. NWSL Challenge Cup supporters survey results: A sharp uptick in confidence – The Athletic ($)

NWSL star Carson Pickett still remembers the pressure of learning to tie a shoe as a kid with one arm, not to mention the added stress of sometimes needing to do it in the middle of a soccer game. NWSL’s Carson Pickett Explains Benefits Of Nike’s New FlyEase Technology In Soccer Cleats | Forbes

What if the NWSL and Australian W-League formalized their de facto partnership? Three options for the future of the W-League, Part 1 | ESPN

Ellen Fokkema, 19, is the first player to participate in the new pilot and will play with VV Foarut’s first team. Dutch FA to allow woman to join men’s first team under pilot programme | ESPN

World soccer

Two goals by fullback Joe Bryan gave Fulham a 2-1 victory against Brentford in the Championship play-off final to secure an immediate Premier League return. Fulham in Premier League after Joe Bryan sinks Brentford in extra time | The Guardian

A new regulation would involve a club forfeiting a tie if their national or local government applied travel restrictions that affected their opponents. Travel bans could force clubs to drop out of European competition, says UEFA | The Guardian

These changes will not be in effect in MLS until 2021. Roberto Rosetti explains new law amendments | UEFA.com

Casillas captained Spain to Euro 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World Cup and won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid. Real Madrid and Spain legend Iker Casillas announces his retirement | The Guardian

Premier League clubs involved in the latter stages of European competition will be given a delayed start to the 2020-21 season. Premier League: Clubs still in Europe to get delayed start to next season - BBC Sport

The forward has signed a five-year deal at Etihad. Ferran Torres completes move to Manchester City from Valencia | The Guardian

Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund are close to agreeing a fee for Jadon Sancho, who has agreed personal terms on a five-year contract. Manchester United close to £90m deal with Dortmund after Sancho agrees terms | The Guardian

The Danish international was also being pursued by Everton. Tottenham agree £15m fee for Southampton’s Pierre-Emile Højbjerg | The Guardian

Wigan will start next season in League One after an appeal against a points deduction that resulted in their relegation was dismissed, keeping Barnsley in the Championship. Wigan lose appeal against 12-point deduction and drop into League One | The Guardian

Austrian second-tier side Floridsdorfer AC have apologised for a 9-0 defeat which allowed opponents Ried to win promotion on goal difference. Austrian football team sorry for loss that saw opponents promoted | The Guardian

The coronavirus pandemic has given us a chance to reimagine the congested calendar. The football industry needs to wake up to the climate emergency | The Guardian

With five players now sharing the same first name, could Ross County make it a full squad of Rosses? Ross County: Scottish Premiership side sign fifth player called Ross - BBC Sport

What’s on TV?

9:55 AM: København vs. Istanbul Basaksehir (Europa League) — Galavision / CBS All Access

9:55 AM: Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Wolfsburg (Europa League) — TUDN / UniMas / CBS All Access

10:00 AM: Malmo FF vs. Helsingborg (Allsvenskan) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Manchester United vs. LASK Linz (Europa League) — TUDN / UniMas / CBS All Access

12:00 PM: Internazionale vs. Getafe (Europa League) — Galavision / CBS All Access

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

4:30 PM: Atlanta United II vs. Charleston Battery (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Birmingham Legion vs. Charlotte Independence (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Saint Louis vs. Sporting Kansas City II (USL Championship) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Philadelphia Union vs. Portland Timbers (MLS Is Back) — FS1

2:30 AM (8/6): Adelaide United vs. Sydney FC (A-League) — ESPN+

3:00 AM (8/6): Tianjin Teda vs. Beijing Guoan (Chinese Super League) — ESPN+