MLS / USL

David Beckham appointed his old friend as his team’s coach. The results so far have not been promising. Phil Neville has everything to prove after Inter Miami’s rough season | The Guardian

Vancouver Whitecaps head Axel Schuster insists he has the authority to remove fellow executives if he feels that’s appropriate as an Major League Soccer investigation takes a closer look at the allegations of abuse by a former coach. Whitecaps CEO has backing to fire fellow execs if MLS investigation finds wrongdoing | CityNews

During his time in Montréal, Gilmore oversaw the hiring of new sporting director Olivier Renard and a brand change in which they went from the Montréal Impact to CF Montréal. CF Montréal president and CEO Kevin Gilmore steps down | MLSSoccer.com

Please try to contain your shock at the news that another Sporting KC player has been suspended by the MLS Disciplinary Committee following an incident which should have been a red card during the run of play. Sporting KC defender Amadou Dia suspended by MLS Disciplinary Committee | MLSSoccer.com

NWSL / women’s soccer

FIFPRO has assisted and continue to help multiple players who have suffered sexual abuse in professional football. ‘No More Silence’: FIFPRO report on abuse in football - FIFPRO World Players’ Union

The 2021 NWSL season exposed many of the league’s shortcomings, providing the basis for a series of tasks ahead as the league looks to meet the requirements of the progressive organization it has often claimed to be. Diversity Hiring Policy should be the NWSL’s next area of progress – Equalizer Soccer

Matildas great Lisa De Vanna is considering legal action in addition to providing Sports Integrity Australia with full documentation on an alleged “vexatious complaint” that saw an Apprehended Violence Order against her withdrawn in court in under five minutes. Matildas star Lisa De Vanna considers legal action to clear name of bullying claims | Daily Telegraph

The Spirit thought their way through yet another tough challenge, and booked a home playoff game as a result. Four thoughts on the Washington Spirit’s 1-0 win over the Houston Dash - Black And Red United

US soccer

The U.S. will finish out 2021 with a domestic-based friendly to prepare for January’s World Cup qualifiers. USMNT announce December training camp, friendly vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Stars and Stripes FC

World soccer

How would the same game look to viewers who literally can’t see race? Soccer Looks Different When You Can’t See Who’s Playing | FiveThirtyEight

Zaha was again a victim of racist abuse online after Crystal Palace’s win over Man City but Instagram have told him the measures he must take to tackle it. Instagram tell Wilfried Zaha he has to report racists himself if he wants to see action - Mirror Online

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool should celebrate being with fans when they host Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. Liverpool v Atlético Madrid: We should celebrate with supporters, says Jurgen Klopp - BBC Sport

Antonio Conte has been named Tottenham’s manager, replacing the sacked Nuno Espírito Santo, five months after turning the job down. Tottenham confirm appointment of Conte as new manager | The Guardian

Unai Emery is close to returning to the Premier League after Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian-led owners identified the Villarreal coach as their preferred manager. Newcastle close to landing Unai Emery as manager from Villarreal | The Guardian

The forward was admitted to hospital on Saturday after needing to go off in Barcelona’s 1-1 against Alavés in La Liga. Sergio Agüero out for three months following ‘cardiological evaluation’ | The Guardian

Chelsea move closer to the final 16 in the Champions League with a win over Malmo. Malmö FF 0-1 Chelsea, Champions League: Post-match reaction, ratings - We Ain’t Got No History

Lionel Messi says he would be keen to return to Barcelona in the future. Messi ‘would love’ to return to Barcelona as a sporting director - BBC Sport

USA Network will carry a triple header of Premier League games on Jan. 1, the day after NBCSN goes dark. SBJ Media: NBC Sports plans shift to USA; NBCSN goes dark Dec. 31

Fantasy and sports betting providers FanDuel and DraftKings are among a number of companies that have submitted bids to buy sports news site The Athletic. FanDuel, DraftKings are Among Bidders for The Athletic — The Information

Former FIFA officials Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini were charged with fraud and other offenses by Swiss prosecutors on Tuesday after a six-year investigation into a controversial $2 million payment. Blatter, Platini indicted for fraud in Switzerland | AP

Culture

NASA astronauts are making tacos in space, using Hatch chiles grown on the International Space Station. Just don’t expect Sonoratown. Astronaut Taquera Makes First-Ever Taco Made From [Hatch] Chiles Grown In Space, Says They Are the ‘Best Space Tacos Yet’ - L.A. TACO

What’s on TV?

Today features eight UEFA Champions League Games, four MLS matches, two Liga MX games, UEFA Youth League, a ton of college soccer, and more!

8:00 AM: Liverpool U19 vs. Atletico Madrid U19 (UEFA Youth League) — Paramount+

10:45 AM: Milan vs. Porto (UEFA Champions League) — Paramount+ / Galavision

10:45 AM: Real Madrid vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (UEFA Champions League) — Paramount+ / TUDN / Univision

12:45 PM: Blackburn Rovers vs. Fulham (English Championship) — ESPN+

1:00 PM: RB Leipzig vs. PSG (UEFA Champions League) — Paramount+ / TUDN / UniMas

1:00 PM: Liverpool vs. Atletico Madrid (UEFA Champions League) — Paramount+

4:30 PM: NY Red Bulls vs. Atlanta United (MLS) — FS1

6:00 PM: Austin vs. Sporting KC (MLS) — ESPN+

7:00 PM: Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (MLS) — ESPN2