Seattle

Megan Rapinoe is such a fan of #MeToo pioneer Tarana Burke that the soccer star chose Burke’s upcoming memoir, “Unbound,” for her new book club before she had even read it. “She is such an incredible person and whatever it is she’s writing will be worth everyone reading,” Rapinoe said during a recent telephone interview. Goals: Megan Rapinoe launches ‘The Call In’ book club

MLS

It was another jam-packed slate in MLS Week 19 and there’s plenty to digest, with Josef Martinez’s vintage game-winner against LAFC and the Seattle Sounders’ explosive victory in Portland chief among the storylines. 27 Takeaways: One observation on every MLS team after Week 19 | MLSSoccer.com

The D.C. United wing back had this famous Ted Lasso quote on his mind following their first loss in six games. D.C. United's Julian Gressel gave a Ted Lasso quote after 1st loss in 6 games

NWSL/WoSo

She will end her USWNT career in October and finish her club season with Gotham FC. Carli Lloyd announces retirement from professional soccer - Stars and Stripes FC

In frantic phone calls and voice messages, Khalida Popal can hear the distress and tearful pleas for help. The football players in the Afghanistan women’s national team that Popal helped establish now fear for their lives after the Taliban swept to regain control of the country after two decades. Afghanistan's female footballers make tearful calls for help

Nadim escaped the Taliban with her family two decades ago after her father was killed in her home country of Afghanistan. Louisville’s Nadia Nadim, an Afghan refugee, calls Taliban takeover ‘heartbreaking’ – Just Women’s Sports

Mara Gomez, the first and only out trans footballer in Argentina’s professional women’s league, has signed for Estudiantes de la Plata. Trans footballer Mara Gomez joins new club, qualifies as nurse

Christine Sinclair is hoping Canada’s Olympic gold medal victory will provide new opportunities for women’s soccer across the country. Christine Sinclair calls for women's pro soccer to come to Canada | Offside

Former USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo has revealed team doctors routinely passed out anti-anxiety drug Xanax during her time with the national team. Ex-USWNT star Solo: We had team doctors passing out anti-anxiety drugs like it was nothing | Goal.com

Kassouf: Carli Lloyd understood Carli Lloyd, and that’s what made her great – Equalizer Soccer

China lost on penalties to the U.S. women’s national team in the 1999 World Cup final. Now, it wants to close the gap to the elite in women’s football again. Oshoala, Banda, huge salaries and record-fees: Inside the Chinese Women's Super League | Goal.com

The officiating woes are a reflection of a bigger issue in the league. The NWSL is perceived as inferior when it comes to officiating assignments. NWSL has a refereeing problem - Chicago Sun-Times

USA

Time for Lumen Field to join Vegas. Las Vegas Raiders to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Raiders Games at Allegiant Stadium | Allegiant Stadium

World

The president has hit back at Bartomeu. Joan Laporta talks Barcelona’s ‘very worrying’ €1.35bn debt - Barca Blaugranes

Joan Laporta said he prioritized the club’s well-being. Lionel Messi’s exit was “sad but necessary,” says Barcelona president - Barca Blaugranes

Wolfsburg has been thrown out of the German Cup for fielding too many substitutes in its first-round win over Preussen Munster. Wolfsburg thrown out of German Cup for using too many substitutes

All six Premier League clubs involved in the failed European Super League retain their European Club Association (ECA) membership. European Super League: Nine clubs that abandoned breakaway league retain ECA membership - BBC Sport

Police are continuing to investigate claims that a mobile phone in video recording mode was discovered in the women’s toilet at the MFA headquarters. Mauritius’s FA in turmoil as police investigate phone in women’s toilets | Soccer | The Guardian

Brilliant German footballer admired for his prolific goal-scoring and his role in the 1974 World Cup. Gerd Müller obituary | Soccer | The Guardian

Spanish league powerhouse F.C. Barcelona sent its most expensive player to Paris Saint-Germain, but the club’s financial troubles are lingering behind- even requiring a loan from Goldman Sachs to make payroll. Goldman Sachs Loans Barca Payroll Cash as Woes Linger Post Messi

Virgil van Dijk says his return to action for Liverpool has felt ‘very emotional and very tough’ after 10 months out with an ACL injury. Virgil van Dijk admits Liverpool return was a tough mental hurdle | The Guardian

The attacker doesn’t want to wait until next summer to join Real Madrid, according to El Chiringuito’s Josep Pedrerol. Kylian Mbappe will request transfer to Real Madrid in a meeting with PSG president - Managing Madrid

What’s on TV?

11:30 AM - Borussia Dortmund v. Bayern Munich - DFL Supercup - ESPN+

11:45 AM - Millwall vs Fulham - EFL Championship - ESPN+

12:00 PM - RB Salzburg v. Brøndby - UEFA Champions League - Galavision, Paramount+

12:00 PM - FC Sheriff Tiraspol v. Dinamo Zagreb - UEFA Champions League - Paramount+

12:00 PM - AS Monaco v. Shakhtar Donetsk - UEFA Champions League - TUDN, Paramount+

3:00 PM - Toluca vs Mazatlán - Liga MX - TUDN

4:00 PM - Hartford Athletic vs Charleston Battery - USL Championship - ESPN+

4:00 PM - Chattanooga Red Wolves vs North Texas - USL League One - ESPN+

5:00 PM - Tigres UANL vs Querétaro - Liga MX - TUDN

5:00 PM - Metropolitan vs St. Lucia - CONCACAF League - FS2

6:00 PM - Austin Bold vs Rio Grande Valley - USL Championship - ESPN+

7:00 PM - Necaxa vs Pumas UNAM - Liga MX - TUDN

7:00 PM - Tijuana vs Puebla - Liga MX - FS1

7:15 PM - FAS vs Forge - CONCACAF League - FS2

7:30 PM - LA Galaxy v. Colorado Rapids - MLS - ESPN+

7:30 PM - SJ Earthquakes v. Minnesota Rapids - MLS - ESPN+