Bale to Tottenham appears to be done, Barca’s President may be getting recalled via a supporter’s vote and the club is being sued by a former manager, do players care about their FIFA ratings, and a German side lost 37-0.

Seattle

Steve is on ETR talking many things including FIFA ratings. Do they matter? It’s just FIFA, right? Wrong! Why pro players care how they’re rated in the game (hint: banter). Do MLS players care about their FIFA ratings? Plus Steve Zakuani talks Jordan Morris and more | Extratime | MLSsoccer.com

Apparently places beside Seattle may make sense... Where could DeAndre Yedlin land in MLS? Greg Seltzer explores five clubs that’d make sense. DeAndre Yedlin to MLS? 5 Potential landing spots if he departs Newcastle United | Greg Seltzer | MLSsoccer.com

MLS

At the midway point of the 2020 season, MLSsoccer.com’s Armchair Analyst takes stock of how new head coaches are faring across MLS. Armchair Analyst: My progress report for every new MLS coach in 2020 | MLSsoccer.com

St. Louis City SC announced that they received 30,000 season ticket deposits in the first 15 minutes that they were made available and that the final number after the first day stood at 50,000. And fans can still make deposits ahead of the club’s 2023 expansion season. MLS expansion team St. Louis City SC set new league record for season ticket deposits on first day | MLSsoccer.com

It will be the video game debut for the home of the Timbers and Thorns. Providence Park to be featured in FIFA 21 - Stumptown Footy

Still a way to go in recovery from knee injury. Don’t expect LAFC star Carlos Vela back for weeks yet - Angels on Parade

Four Atlantans tell their stories about building a new culture in the city, and the work that’s still left to do to strengthen it. A Black soccer culture rose up in Atlanta. Now, it seeks lasting progress. – The Athletic ($)

WoSo

The woman leading Japan’s ambitious effort to launch a professional women’s soccer league lives some 6,700 miles away from where the players will ultimately take the field. Maryland businesswoman leading launch of Japanese league | AP

The arrival of a host of stars is great for women’s football but contracts which last only a few months can also be disruptive. Big names are great, but the WSL must not become a holiday league | Women's Super League | The Guardian

USA

The money secured by selling Thiago Alcantara to Liverpool will be used to sign Sergino Dest, sources have told ESPN. Bayern Munich front-runners for Ajax's Dest as Thiago leaves for Liverpool - sources

The drama is inspired by the life of U.S. international soccer star Jorge Villafaña. Sueño (translated as “to dream”) follows a young Mexican-American man and his family as he battles through a competitive soccer reality show. Greg Berlanti Sets Up Dramas at HBO Max, Fox (0Exclusive) | Hollywood Reporter

World

Barcelona forward Luis Suarez has flown to Italy to take an exam that would see him granted Italian citizenship ahead of a proposed move to Juve. Barcelona's Suarez in Italy for exam ahead of potential Juventus move - sources

The former manager has only just found out he’s been sacked. Quique Setien confirms he’ll take legal action against Barcelona - Barca Blaugranes

Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale is set to fly to England on Friday to complete his return to Tottenham Hotspur. Gareth Bale set for Tottenham loan move: Real Madrid forward to fly in on Friday - BBC Sport

Manager Andy Morrison says Connah’s Quay Nomads “had to turn a blind eye” to players who turned up feeling unwell for their Europa League qualifying defeat by Dinamo Tbilisi. Nomads 'turned blind eye' to ill players - boss Morrison - BBC Sport

He is expected to be censured and face a recall vote. As censure motion appears to be successful, Bartomeu should resign rather than face the ignominy of a recall - Barca Blaugranes

Marcelo Bielsa has said his decision to name Kiko Casilla as the Leeds captain was fully endorsed by the Spaniard’s teammates. Bielsa defends making Casilla Leeds captain despite racism verdict | Leeds United | The Guardian

German lower-league side SG Ripdorf/Molzen II fielded only seven players in an effort to maintain social distancing. It went as you might expect. Coronavirus: German team socially distances, beaten 37-0 | ESPN

What’s on TV?

8:30 AM - Sevilla v. Athletic Club Bilbao - Friendly - ESPN Deportes

11:30 AM - Bayern Munich v. Schalke 04 - Bundesliga - ESPN, ESPN Deportes

11:45 AM - Coventry City v. Queens Park Rangers - EFL Championship - ESPN+

2:00 PM - Club America v. Santos Laguna - Liga MX Femenil - TUDN

3:30 PM - Texas Tech v. Baylor - NCAA Women’s Soccer - ESPNU

4:00 PM - Auburn v. Mississippi State - NCAA Women’s Soccer - SEC Network, ESPN+

4:00 PM - West Virginia v. Kansas State - NCAA Women’s Soccer - ESPN+

4:00 PM - Mecer v. Georgia State - NCAA Men’s Soccer - ESPN+

5:00 PM - Texas State v. Central Arkansas - NCAA Women’s Soccer - ESPN+

5:00 PM - TCU v. Texas - NCAA Women’s Soccer - ESPN+

5:30 PM - Necaxa v. Puebla - Liga MX - TUDN

7:00 PM - Orange County SC v. Las Vegas Lights FC - USL Championship - ESPN+

7:30 PM - Mazatlan v. Cruz Azul - Liga MX - TUDN