MLS / USL

Is this Atlanta’s answer to their current center back dilemma? Report: Atlanta United, Velez agree to deal for Lautaro Giannetti - Dirty South Soccer

The MLS club implied publicly that it beat out a host of European giants to sign a promising Brazilian. The truth is a bit more complicated. Did Brenner choose FC Cincinnati over Arsenal, PSG, Madrid? – The Athletic ($)

Van der Water signs for three seasons plus an option year. Orlando City Announces Signing of Dutch Winger Silvester van der Water - The Mane Land

The U-22 rule will be good for the entire league. Americans at home: MLS is a selling league now and that will continue to improve soccer in the US - Stars and Stripes FC

The mixed legacy of Real Salt Lake’s former owner Dell Loy Hansen: Was he a soccer innovator? Or a bully who presided over a toxic work environment and his team’s slow, steady decline? Or both? Dell Loy Hansen has complicated legacy as Real Salt Lake owner | Salt Lake Tribune

TikTok will serve as the official jersey sleeve partner for both teams during the 2021 season. Timbers and Thorns announce TikTok partnership - Stumptown Footy

NWSL / women’s sports

Former OL Reign Associate GM Brynn Sebring has a new role making sure every aspect of player experience is top-notch at new NWSL club Racing Louisville. The Lowdown: Meet Racing Louisville’s Director of Player Experience – Equalizer Soccer ($)

The NWSL artificially limits squads with international roster restrictions. It’s an unfair and confusing system that should be abandoned. The NWSL Should Get Rid of International Slots | Backline Soccer

What i have noticed and everyone else has noticed is the lack of marketing from the league. Why are Investors Skipping the WNBA for the NWSL? Why are Investors Skipping the WNBA for the NWSL? - Beyond Women’s Sports

Black Women’s Player Collective is raising funds to directly benefit their 2021 programming including hosting free soccer clinics, presenting opportunities for kids to attend NWSL games, and producing media that shares insights of Black women and their experiences in both sport and business. Fundraiser by Nils Clauson and Jasmyne Spencer: Black Women’s Player Collective

The Pride add depth to the attack with the signing of the former Washington Spirit forward. Orlando Pride Sign Forward Crystal Thomas - The Mane Land

FIFPRO and Women in Football will collaborate to launch the “Ready to Board” programme to prepare 12 women for executive roles in professional football. Ready to Board: FIFPRO and Women in Football collaborate on leadership programme - FIFPRO World Players’ Union

USL has made a key hire as they gear up to to re-enter the women’s soccer market. USL Appoints Betsy Haugh as Director of Women’s Soccer Operations | USLsoccer.com

Oliver Wyss maps out club plans ahead of girls ID camp. Orange County SC eager to get involved in women’s soccer - Angels on Parade

The New York Liberty, Los Angeles Sparks, Atlanta Dream, and Indiana Fever have struck up a historic deal with Anthem to help their communities. BREAKING: WNBA historic Anthem deal combats racial, health inequality | Insider

US soccer

The roster for the Tokyo-bound U.S. women’s squad seeking to reclaim the Olympics gold medal that eluded them in 2016 is far from set in stone, national team head coach Vlatko Andonovski said on Tuesday. U.S. women’s team roster for Tokyo far from set - coach | Reuters

Acting on an earlier recommendation to all sports rules committee by the Board of Directors, the Soccer Rules Committee adopted the following new language for Rule 4-2-10: “Head coverings worn for religious reasons shall not be made of abrasive or hard material and must fit securely.” Religious Headwear Permitted Without State Association Approval in High School Soccer

There are a lot of things to forget about the year 2020, but there are some things many Americans — especially Black Americans — will never forget. BE THE CHANGE: How George Floyd’s Murder Drove Zack Steffen to Launch the VOYCENOW Foundation | USSoccer.com

World soccer

Guardian analysis indicates this shocking figure likely to be an underestimate, as preparations for 2022 tournament continue. Revealed: 6,500 migrant workers have died in Qatar as it gears up for World Cup | The Guardian

Scoring goals in soccer is hard. Where Goals Come From: Tactical Progressive Passing Movements — American Soccer Analysis

The Bramley-Moore Dock development will be a “world-class addition” to Liverpool’s waterfront, says the club. Everton’s Bramley-Moore Dock stadium given council approval - BBC News

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho believes he will be remembered at the club “for the good reasons and not for the bad reasons”. Jose Mourinho says he will be remembered at Tottenham ‘for good reasons’ - BBC Sport

The Manchester City boss says it is “unethical” for Premier League players to leak team news to people playing fantasy football. Pep Guardiola says it is unethical for players to leak team news for fantasy football - BBC Sport

Fatigue from a seemingly never-ending fixture list means outrage at the actions of self-interested clubs appears to be in short supply. Big club power grab in danger of going unnoticed in football’s infinite scroll | The Guardian

Zidane says he is not willing to risk players when Real Madrid visit Atalanta in the Champions League, despite a growing injury list. Zinedine Zidane says he will not risk injured players - BBC Sport

Felipe compiled his own best bits DVD to attract interest from a second tier club in Brazil. Now he’s in the Champions League. Felipe: the Atlético Madrid player who owes his career to a highlights DVD | The Guardian

Barcelona are a club in trouble, on the pitch and off it. Their owners - the fans - face a crucial decision about who takes them forward. Barcelona presidential election: Candidates’ blueprints for Nou Camp club - BBC Sport

What’s on TV?

9:00 AM: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Wolfsberger AC (Europa League) — TUDN / CBS All Access

9:45 AM: Groningen vs. Feyenoord (Eredivisie) — ESPN+

10:00 AM: Oakland vs. Northern Kentucky (NCAA Women) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Preston North End vs. Queens Park Rangers (English Championship) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Atalanta vs. Real Madrid (UEFA Champions League) — TUDN / UniMas / CBS All Access

12:00 PM: Borussia Monchengladbach vs. Manchester City (UEFA Champions League) — Galavision / CBS All Access

1:00 PM: Canada vs. Brazil (SheBelieves Cup) — FS1

3:00 PM: NC State vs. VCU (NCAA Men) — ESPN+

3:00 PM: Wofford vs. High Point (NCAA Men) — ESPN+

4:00 PM: Furman vs. USC Upstate (NCAA Men) — ESPN+

4:00 PM: USWNT vs. Argentina (SheBelieves Cup) — FS1 / TUDN

12:05 AM (2/25): Western Sydney Wanderers vs. Melbourne City (W-League) — ESPN+

2:35 AM: Perth Glory vs. Sydney FC (W-League) — ESPN+