Seattle

It was off the coast of Alaska on a yacht where Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank, president Darren Eales and technical director Carlos Bocanegra met with the man who would soon be the club’s next head coach. Why Atlanta United believe Gonzalo Pineda is right for now and the future | MLSSoccer.com

MLS/USL

Roldan is up for Captain. Vote Cristian or support those losers. Vote now to decide the MLS All-Star team captain! | MLSSoccer.com

Let battle commence. 2021 MLS All-Star Skills Challenge rosters headlined by Chicharito, Vela and Gignac | MLSSoccer.com

Richard Sánchez and Emanuel Aguilera scored for the hosts; return leg to Chester will be played September 15. Deflection, PK stake Club América to 2-0 lead over the Union after first leg of CCL semifinal - Brotherly Game

Orlando City SC’s first ever experience of international competition came to an early end Thursday as the Lions went down to a 1-0 defeat to Liga MX’s Santos Laguna in the quarterfinals of the Leagues Cup. Orlando City rue missed early chances in Leagues Cup exit | MLSSoccer.com

A game decided by penalties should’ve been done and dusted by full time. And technology is to blame. New York City FC’s loss to Pumas in Leagues Cup is proof that VAR has gone too far - Hudson River Blue

Yeimar, Ruidiaz and Schmetzer all tabbed for potential postseason awards. Midseason awards: Who could take home MLS honors in 2021? | MLSSoccer.com

Sounders still in Tier 1. Ranking all 27 MLS teams by tier for 2021 – revisited | MLSSoccer.com

MLS Las Vegas expansion is growing more likely, with Wes Edens and Bill Foley part of separate groups backing a team in Allegiant Stadium. MLS Eyes Las Vegas as Wes Edens Emerges as Potential Expansion Backer – Sportico.com

Defiance up to 11. Their next opponent is number 8 San Diego Loyal. USL Championship Power Rankings – Week 16

One of the USL West’s top sides gets weaker. Phoenix Rising FC Transfers Forward Rufat Dadashov to FC Schalke 04 II

Former Defiance trialist signs with SoCal rivals. ORANGE COUNTY SC ADDS DILLON POWERS FROM SCOTTISH SIDE DUNDEE UNITED

NWSL/WoSo

Richie Burke stepped down as Spirit coach Tuesday, citing “health concerns,” but he is still employed by the team’s front office. The NWSL said it will investigate the abuse claims. Players say Richie Burke, former coach of NWSL’s Spirit, verbally abused them - The Washington Post

Burke is under investigation following allegations of verbal abuse including racist language. NWSL's Spirit suspends Richie Burke amid verbal abuse allegations

In the wake of Team Canada’s gold-medal win in women’s soccer at the Tokyo Olympics, one retired player and two-time bronze medallist is making it her mission to bring the sport home with a professional league for women. 'It's absolutely time': Canadian soccer star pushing to bring women's pro league here | CTV News

USA

FIFA gonna FIFA. USMNT into the top 10 of FIFA Rankings but somehow not higher than Mexico - Stars and Stripes FC

I think they were doing it because I was one of the best players in the academy, and I was getting called up to Mexican youth national camps, and they never saw me as being Mexican. But that did not make it any easier to accept. My Path to Mexico by David Ochoa | The Players' Tribune

World

Uefa will set out proposals next month to replace its Financial Fair Play rules with a salary cap and luxury tax by next year. Uefa plans salary cap and ‘luxury tax’ for teams who breach it | Sport | The Times

Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman believes the club must “close the book” on the Lionel Messi era after their talisman left for PSG in the offseason. Barcelona's Ronald Koeman says club must 'close the book' on Lionel Messi era

Despite opposition from Real Madrid and Barcelona, 42 LaLiga clubs have voted in favour of the league’s 10% sale to CVC investment fund. Despite Real Madrid Barcelona rejections LaLiga clubs vote in favour of €2.2bn CVC deal

The west London club are in the top flight for the first time in 74 years with their manager aiming to present a breath of fresh air. Brentford’s Thomas Frank: ‘We are a remarkable story about bravery’ | Brentford | The Guardian

Manchester City are ready to pay €150m for Harry Kane if they get an indication from Tottenham that a deal can be done. Manchester City ready to pay €150m to sign Harry Kane from Tottenham | Harry Kane | The Guardian

New gimmicks and old grievances await, plus perfect days away and pleas for firms to stop sick boys (and girls) on social media. New football season promises renewed lust for life and more off-pitch strife | Premier League | The Guardian

ABC News’ Ibtissem Guenfoud speaks with players from a French soccer team who say they have been “forced to choose between my passion and my religion” because of a hijab ban during competition. French soccer team fights back on league hijab ban

Lionel Messi’s arrival at Paris Saint-Germain has left the club with the most frightening front line in the sport, but now coach Mauricio Pochettino is under pressure to deliver the glory on the pitch that their Qatari owners covet more than anything. Pressure on Poch to deliver with PSG 'galacticos' after Messi arrival

What’s on TV?

8:45 AM - Pordenone v. Spezia - Coppa Italia - Paramount+

9:00 AM - Genoa v. Perugia - Coppa Italia - Paramount+

11:00 AM - Huesca v. Eibar - Segunda Division - ESPN+

11:30 AM - Borussia M’gladbach v. Bayern Munich - Bundesliga - ESPN+

11:30 AM - Rangers v. Dunfermline Athletic - Scottish League Cup - Paramount+

11:45 AM - Udinese v. Ascoli - Coppa Italia - Paramount+

11:45 AM - Sporting Charleroi v. Royal Antwerp - Belgian First Division A - ESPN+

12:00 PM - Brentford v. Arsenal - English Premier League - NBCSN

12:00 PM - Valencia v. Getafe - La Liga - ESPN+

12:00 PM - Fiorentina v. Cosenza - Coppa Italia - Paramount+

4:30 PM - Charleston Battery v. Loudoun United - USL Championship - ESPN+

4:30 PM - Tampa Bay Rowdies v. Hartford Athletic - USL Championship - ESPN+

5:00 PM - Puebla v. Tigres UANL - Liga MX - TUDN

5:00 PM - Abilene Christian v. Texas - NCAA Women’s - ESPN+, Longhorn Network

5:00 PM - Columbia Basin v. Eastern Washington - NCAA Women’s - ESPN+

5:30 PM - Houston Dash v. Washington Spirit - NWSL - Twitch

7:00 PM - Juarez v. Tijuana - Liga MX - TUDN

7:00 PM - Masters University v. CSU Bakersfield - NCAA Women’s - ESPN+

7:30 PM - San Jose Earthquakes v. Vancouver Whitecaps - MLS - ESPN+