Eugenie Le Sommer opened her OL Reign account with a work of art as her brace powered the team to a win over Louisville. The Puget Sound’s other professional teams didn’t manage quite as well, sadly, but we keep moving forward. Cristian Roldan made another substitute appearance for the USMNT as they beat Mexico in the Gold Cup Final in dramatic fashion. A nice capper after the team’s union finally issued a statement of support of the USWNT’s case for equal pay.

Seattle/Tacoma

Bethany Balcer reflects on how she deals with adversity in the latest edition. Diary of a Striker with Bethany Balcer: Responding to Adversity - Girls Soccer Network

Le Sommer was just waiting to score her first goal until she could do it with a true and proper banger. Eugenie Le Sommer scores spectacular first NWSL goal in OL Reign win – Just Women's Sports

OL Reign are officially on a winning streak thanks to two great goals from ELS! Match Recap: OL Reign Race by Louisville with Le Sommer Brace — OL REIGN: WE ARE THE BOLD

MLS/USL

It was a bad weekend for the Sounders, but at least they weren’t alone. Saturday Takeaways: What we learned from Week 16's action | MLSSoccer.com

FC Dallas is actually best known for all the talented players who have been through their system without every playing for the first team. Mexico's Rogelio Funes Mori passed through FC Dallas on his way to stardom | MLSSoccer.com

NWSL/WoSo

A crushed and tear-stained Ellen White said she ‘would have given up every single goal to win a gold medal’ after Team GB’s defeat by Australia. Tearful Ellen White ‘would have given up every goal’ for Olympic gold | Team GB Olympic football | The Guardian

So near to a semi-final, yet again, so far for Team GB, but they won’t medal until they fix the faults that keep punishing themselves with Tokyo 2020: For Team GB, it's that familiar feeling again of 'what could have been?' – The Athletic

It’s always nice to have more folks on the NWSL fashion beat. The Net Gala: Summer Heat – Just Women’s Sports

The top all-time international goal scorer is renowned for her lack of ego, jokes with teammates, and a natural ability to lead. Christine Sinclair: Teammates discuss the Canadian legend – The Athletic

USA

Amicus briefs filed on Friday in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals are lending noteworthy support to the USWNT’s case, including from the men’s national team players. U.S. women's soccer players get support from men's team in equal pay lawsuit - The Athletic

So what does that actually mean? Breaking down USMNT’s support for USWNT in equal pay filing – The Athletic

In a brief filed on behalf of USWNT, union for men’s side accuses U.S. Soccer of sending “a corrosive public message to women and girls.” U.S. Soccer sends 'corrosive' message toward 'second-class' USWNT, says men's union

If you save three PKs on the way to a knockout round shootout win, you’re likely to get a statue of yourself built some where. The USWNT needed a hero, up stepped Alyssa Naeher - All For XI

Cristian Roldan is a continental champion once again. Recap: United States 1, Mexico 0 | MLSSoccer.com

World

It’s a historically bad start to the season for Celtic. Celtic’s dysfunctional state points to a club that has completely lost its way | Scottish Premiership | The Guardian

All the Premier League transfer news under one roof. Transfer Centre - Football Transfers News & Rumours | Sky Sports

Frankly, I’d listen to Klopp talk about how the phonebook gets written. Jürgen Klopp Speaks On The Challenges Of Preseason - The Liverpool Offside

What’s on TV today?

11:45 AM - Kilmarnock vs Ayr United (SPL) - Paramount+

7:00 PM - Atletico San Luis vs Queretaro (Liga MX) - TUDN

7:00 PM - Santos Laguna vs Tijuana (Liga MX Femenil) - ESPN+