Puget Sound

Former youth soccer teammates Eric Klenofsky (now with Tacoma Defiance) and Josel Mateo launched a pandemic podcast devoted to personal development. NJ soccer duo’s podcast inspires athletes outside the game

MLS / USL

Could Pity Martinez be on the move this fall? Report: Saudi club Al-Nassr submit $18 million bid for Pity Martinez - Dirty South Soccer

Kimball, president of Vivint Arena, was a founding member of Real Salt Lake. Former RSL executive John Kimball named interim president of Utah Soccer - RSL Soapbox

“It was definitely the most toxic environment I’ve ever worked in,” said Rebecca Cade, who worked as a sideline reporter for RSL in 2018. Staffers recount Real Salt Lake’s toxic, sexist company culture | ESPN

NWSL / women’s soccer

Just as an influx of foreign talent joins the league, the FA has added controls to ensure homegrown talent remains a priority. WSL and Championship to introduce homegrown player quota from 2021/22 season | The Telegraph

Brazil’s women’s national players will be paid the same as male players for representing their country, says the CBF. Brazil gives equal pay to men’s and women’s national players - BBC Sport

The NWSL chose to chase reach over revenue with its last TV rights negotiation, and since landing on CBS, silver linings have arisen in unexpected ways. Coronavirus pandemic: NWSL finds silver lining with TV, sponsors | Yahoo Sports

The FA Women’s Super League is coming to NBC Sports, with 50 games during the 2020-21 WSL season to be shown across their platforms. WSL NBC Sports: FA Women’s Super League, TV schedule, stream online

US soccer

Concacaf has announced a new format for the 2021 edition of the Concacaf Gold Cup, and the introduction of a first ever draw for the prestigious regional tournament. Concacaf gives major boost to Gold Cup with new format and first ever draw

John Carlos, famous for his raised fist of protest at the 1968 Olympics, on the future of sports and activism: “This is just the start of things to come.” ‘Just the start’: Olympian John Carlos on sports and activism

World soccer

PSG released a statement confirming that the Brazilian striker, along with Di María and Paredes, have tested positive for Covid-19. Neymar tests positive for coronavirus - AS.com

Barcelona maintain Messi is still under contract after meeting fails to resolve issues. Lionel Messi's future at Barcelona remains unclear after meeting | The Guardian

Kick It Out has revealed it received large increases in reports of racist and homophobic abuse in professional football last season. Kick It Out reveals ‘shocking’ rise in reports of racism in football | The Guardian

What’s on TV?

9:00 AM: Latvia vs. ANdorra (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Faroe Islands vs. Malta (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Germany vs. Spain (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Ukraine vs. Switzerland (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Russia vs. Serbia (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Turkey vs. Hungary (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Bulgaria vs. Ireland (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Finland vs. Wales (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Moldova vs. Kosovo (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Slovenia vs. Greece (UEFA Nations League) — ESPN+

2:00 PM: América vs. Necaxa (Liga MX Femenil) — TUDN

4:00 PM: Orlando City II vs. North Texas (USL League One) — ESPN+

5:00 PM: Querétaro vs. Toluca (Liga MX) — TUDN

7:00 PM: Pachuca vs. Atlético San Luis (Liga MX) — TUDN