MLS

Originality and tradition have increasingly taken a backseat to conformity in the City FC/SC-ification of MLS, with Columbus the latest instance. Columbus SC brand change from Crew follows MLS's conformity trend - Sports Illustrated

Since the very beginning, Atlanta United has been rife with power struggles that have colored both its successes and failures. The battles for control of Atlanta United – The Athletic

What a week in MLS. Nani scored by cutting in to his right from the top of the box, Chris Wondolowski grabbed a couple of clutch late goals and the LA Galaxy outplayed LAFC in El Trafico. Yes, this was truly a week unlike any other. Power Rankings: NYCFC, Red Bulls surpassing expectations after Week 4 | MLSSoccer.com

The LA Galaxy might not be done shopping in France, as a report from L’ Est-éclair has linked the five-time MLS Cup champions to ES Troyes AC defensive midfielder Rayan Raveloson. Report: LA Galaxy chasing another player from France | MLSSoccer.com

As we swing into our fourth installment of this new series for 2021, hopefully the premise has become self-explanatory. And readers, please remember: You can chime in on this process! Just look for a tweet like this one on Monday morning or thereabouts. Top 5 young-player performances in Week 4 | MLSSoccer.com

Fans attending games at Rio Tinto Stadium will not be required to wear masks. Real Salt Lake Lifts Mask Mandate At Rio Tinto Stadium Effective Immediately - KSL Sports

NWSL

Seven shots deep into a sudden-death shootout to decide the 2021 NWSL Challenge Cup, the Portland Thorns gave the honor of crushing Gotham FC’s dreams to their second-year quasi-rookie. The Portland Thorns Are Ready To Be The NWSL's Villains | Defector

It’s a longer NWSL season than ever before, but significantly more money is available to players. NWSL minimum and maximum salaries, team caps each rise 5-10% in 2021 – Equalizer Soccer

How did the Challenge Cup go? Let’s assign some early grades. Challenge Cup Progress Report

USA

ESPN is expected to announce later this week that it has acquired the English-language and Spanish-language media rights to Spain’s LaLiga, multiple sources have confirmed to World Soccer Talk. ESPN expected to announce LaLiga rights acquisition this week, say sources - World Soccer Talk

There is now data backing up television networks’ suspicion that COVID-era adjustments caused Nielsen to undercount the ratings. Nielsen undercounted ratings in February - Sports Media Watch

World

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte has been a granted Spanish passport and will be eligible to be called up by Spain, sources say. Man City's Aymeric Laporte eligible to quit France play for Spain - sources

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a Juventus training session on Monday to visit Ferrari’s Formula One headquarters in Maranello, Italy. Ronaldo misses Juventus training to visit Ferrari HQ

Veteran Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon announces he will leave the Serie A club at the end of the season. Gianluigi Buffon: Goalkeeper to leave Juventus at end of season - BBC Sport

Reaction to Manchester City’s title win and the rest of Tuesday’s Premier League action. Premier League LIVE: Manchester United v Leicester City, Southampton v Crystal Palace score & updates - Live - BBC Sport

Barcelona throw away a 2-0 lead and see their La Liga hopes receive a major setback as they drew at Levante. Levante 3-3 Barcelona: Barca throw away two-goal lead and miss chance to go top of La Liga - BBC Sport

The apology isn’t great, but fan representation is a step in the right direction. Tottenham Hotspur will have fan representation on the board - Cartilage Free Captain

Richard Keogh has secured a payout of about £2.3m from Derby after winning his long-running compensation claim against the club. Richard Keogh awarded £2.3m in breach of contract case against Derby | Derby County | The Guardian

The Chelsea manager said ‘transfer periods can be mood breakers’, and expressed a desire to see Callum Hudson-Odoi keep up his good form. Thomas Tuchel happy to focus on coaching instead of transfers at Chelsea | Chelsea | The Guardian

What’s on TV?

9:00 AM - FC Schalke 04 v. Hertha Berlin - Bundesliga - ESPN+

9:30 AM - Cagliari v. Fiorentina - Serie A - ESPN+

9:45 AM - Ipswich Town U18 v. Liverpool U18 - FA Youth Cup - ESPN+

10:00 AM - Lokomtoiv Moskva v. Krylya Sovetov - Russian Cup - ESPN+

11:45 AM - KRC Genk v. RSC Anderlecht - Belgian First Division - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Lazio v. Parma - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Torino v. AC Milan - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Bologna v. Genoa - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Sampdoria v. Spezia - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Sassuolo v. Juventus - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Atalanta v. Benevento - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Inter Milan v. Roma - Serie A - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Raith Rovers v. Dundee - Scottish Premiership - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Ross County v. Hamilton Academical - Scottish Premiership - ESPN+

12:15 PM - Chelsea v. Arsenal - Premier League - NBCSN

2:00 PM - New England II v. Union Omaha - USL League One - ESPN+

4:00 PM - Toronto FC v. Columbus Crew - MLS - ESPN+

4:30 PM - Inter Miami v. Club de Foot Montreal - MLS - ESPN+

4:30 PM - Philadelphia Union v. New England Revolution - MLS - ESPN+

5:00 PM - Toluca v. Cruz Azul - Liga MX - TUDN

5:30 PM - Houston Dynamo v. Sporting Kansas City - MLS - ESPN+

6:00 PM - Minnesota United v. Vancouver Whitecaps - MLS - ESPN+

7:00 PM - Atlas v. Puebla - Liga MX - TUDN

7:30 PM - San Jose Earthquakes v. Sounders FC - MLS - JoeTv, ESPN+

7:30 PM - Sacramento Republic v. Las Vegas Lights - USL Championship - ESPN+