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Major Link Soccer: Merritt Paulson apologizes in an open letter

Paulson admits that the team terminated Paul Riley over a previously unreported sexual harassment claim.

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SOCCER: DEC 07 MLS Cup Team Training Photo by Andy Mead/YCJ/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Seattle

Just keep relieving the goal. Before MLS Week 29, the Seattle Sounders had already scored plenty of potential AT&T Goal of the Year candidates in 2021. “I’m actually speechless”: Seattle Sounders hail Joao Paulo golazo vs. Colorado Rapids | MLSSoccer.com

MLS

There’s no place for fan violence in the game. LAFC, LA Galaxy jointly condemn fan violence at rivalry games - Angels on Parade

LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer unveiled a bronze statue of club legend Landon Donovan outside Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday. LA Galaxy unveil Landon Donovan statue outside stadium

Minnesota United fan groups are asking fans not to attend home matches at Allianz Field until the team puts a COVID-19 vaccine mandate or testing protocol in place. MNUFC supporters to boycott Allianz Field without COVID-19 vaccine, test mandate

FC Cincinnati have named Chris Albright as their general manager, the club announced Monday. The hire is effective immediately. Albright joins after a successful tenure with the Philadelphia Union, where he was technical director under sporting director Ernst Tanner. He helped build the club’s Supporters’ Shield-winning 2020 side, plus oversawFC Cincinnati hire Chris Albright as general manager | MLSSoccer.com

Philadelphia native will get a chance to reshape the third-year MLS team. Chris Albright departs hometown club to become FC Cincinnati general manager - Brotherly Game

NWSL/WoSo

Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson apologized in an open letter released Monday for his organization’s decision to keep sexual harassment allegations against former coach Paul Riley under wraps. Portland Thorns owner Merritt Paulson apologizes, announces independent investigation in wake of Paul Riley allegations - oregonlive.com

Last Thursday morning, a bombshell piece in The Athletic shook the National Women’s Soccer League. The story detailed alleged instances of emotional abuse and sexual coercion suffered by former Portland Thorns players under the management of current North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley. The NWSL Was Working As Intended | Defector

Former Acting Attorney General Sally Yates is leading the investigation. USSF hires former Attorney General to investigate NWSL abuse - Stars and Stripes FC

Thorns owner Merritt Paulson apologized Monday, admitting the team terminated Paul Riley over a previously unreported sexual harassment claim. NWSL players want accountability in Portland after Lisa Baird's resignation | Just Women's Sports

Olympique Lyonnais forward Ada Hegerberg on what DAZN’s platform could mean for herself and women’s football, and if she’d ever consider being mic’d up. Ada Hegerberg: ‘It’s important to enjoy the game - you work so hard, sometimes you forget to have fun’ - All For XI

USA/USL

Veteran Defender John Brooks Experiencing Back Issues; No Replacement Ahead of USA-Jamaica John Brooks Withdrawn From U.S. Men’s National Team World Cup Qualifying Roster

Expect the U.S. to rotate plenty over this window, with Chris Richards getting a big opportunity with John Brooks out. USMNT's workload with clubs before World Cup qualifying – The Athletic

World

Kylian Mbappe said that he informed Paris Saint-Germain of his desire to leave the club in July. PSG's Kylian Mbappe: I wanted to leave last summer; club knew my decision in July

After playing one game for the U.S., defender Julian Araujo has been cleared to change his national eligibility to Mexico, FIFA said Monday. FIFA clears Galaxy’s Araujo to switch from United States to Mexico national team

The Premier League has struck a lucrative rights deal with hit AppleTV+ comedy Ted Lasso - with the series now able to feature Premier League club kits, badges and archive footage. Premier League clubs handed £500,000 boost after negotiating 'lucrative Ted Lasso deal' - Mirror Online

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