A big weekend for Puget Sound soccer as Sounders head to Portland, Reign head to Orlando and Defiance head to Monarchs. Stories in Links today include the first ever wave of free agency for the NWSL (there’s a dispute) and the local D1 men’s soccer sides starting both collecting wins.

MLS

Odds, numbers, and Portland’s fight for the playoffs - Stumptown Footy
Analytics gives the Timbers a 14% chance to make the playoffs. Let’s talk about why, and how Portland can beat the odds.

Player Grades: Portland Timbers 1-4 Sporting KC - Stumptown Footy
It was a disappointing performance from the Timbers, given the tight race for those final playoff spots in the Western Conference.

Power Ranking Averages - Week 26 (8/25/22) - RSL Soapbox
Are you tired of Seattle being in the bottom half? I am.

Yuta Nomura is hoping growth of MLS will “open the door” for Japanese people - The Bent Musket
The Revs II goalkeeper coach discusses his career and Asian representation in MLS

other men’s club soccer

KCRA Sacramento: Sacramento approves bonds for Railyards development. What impact does that have on a future stadium?
KCRA Sacramento: Sacramento approves bonds for Railyards development. What impact does that have on a future stadium?.

NWSL

NWSL Opens First-Ever Free Agency Period | National Women's Soccer League
Under the CBA, players with six-years of service will be eligible

NWSL free agency status in dispute for several players on eve of negotiation period - The Athletic
The NWSL and its players' association are in dispute about who qualifies for the league's new free agent status.

NWSL free agency begins, but NWSLPA disputes eligibility
NWSL announced the opening of its first-ever free agency window, but the NWSL Players Association disagrees over which players are eligible.

Washington Spirit: Ward out over record, training ‘incident’
Washington Spirit president Mark Krikorian says the team fired head coach Kris Ward due to an incident at training, and the club's record.

Orlando Pride vs. NJ/NY Gotham FC: Final Score 2-1 as Ally Watt Scores Winner in Pride Debut - The Mane Land
A pair of goals in the second half were enough for the Pride to win again on the road.

United States national team

10 Americans to compete in 2022-23 UEFA Champions League - Stars and Stripes FC
USMNT fans will have plenty of Champions League rooting interests.

Puget Sound soccer

Emerald City Supporters - Believe women. Support women.
Emerald City Supporters, a supporter group for the Seattle Sounders FC

Jess Fishlock recalled for Wales’ crucial World Cup qualifiers
The 35-year-old US-based midfielder is Wales’ most capped footballer.

Lenna meets Rapinoe and Fishlock - SPURSPLAY
Tottenham Hotspur academy player Lenna Gunning-Williams chats with Megan Rapinoe and Jess Fishlock while in Louisville for the Women's Cup.

The French Connection - Full Time with Meg Linehan - Podcasts - The Athletic
Sophie Sauvage, head of international football for Olympique Lyonnais, discusses her role with both OL Reign in the NWSL and Lyon in Division 1 Féminine. From what lessons can be shared on both sides of the organization to strategy and growth of the women’s game, Sauvage is one of the few that is directly involved in shaping what comes next here and in Europe. Plus, the latest news and Laura Harvey earns the record for most wins in the NWSL.

Huskies Dominate In 3-0 Season-Opening Victory Over Sacramento State - University of Washington Athletics
Four former Sounders see action, including goal scorer Lucas Meek.

Redhawks Topple No. 4 Notre Dame - Seattle University
Seattle U men's soccer took down #4 Notre Dame, 3-1, in their 2022 season opener on Thursday. Declan McGlynn had a pair of goals.

other stuff Dave thinks you should read

Can Amazon end the Seahawks beer-line traffic jam at Lumen Field? | The Seattle Times
A new store in the stadium's upper concourse will feature Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Fans will be able to buy beer, wine and snacks without waiting in line to...

Amazon Prime free games for September 2022: Assassin’s Creed Origins and Shadow of Mordor - Polygon
Amazon Prime will make eight games available to Prime subscribers free in September 2022, including Middle-earth: Shadow of Mordor, Football Manager 2022, and Assassin’s Creed Origins

Assigning Social and Exploration Experience in Uprising & Rebellion | Full Moon Storytelling
Tracking plot points in order to award experience for non-combat events that move the story of Uprising and Rebellion forward.

What to Watch

Friday night? That’s all about us. Don’t watch anything else. For a nearly complete listing of matches on TV check Live Soccer TV.

Friday

4:00 PM PT — Orlando Pride vs OL Reign on FOX 13+ (OTA, cable, satellite, cable replacements) and Paramount+ (streaming).

6:00 PM PT — Real Monarchs vs Tacoma Defiance on MLSNextPro.com. Defiance already locked up the division. They’re still chasing the Next Pro regular season title as they face one of the worst clubs in the league.

7:00 PM PT — Portland Timbers vs Seattle Sounders FC on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. A rivalry deeper than hate with a result that could determine the playoff hopes for both teams.

Saturday

9:30 AM PT — Arsenal vs Fulham on big NBC and Universo. The surprising leaders of the Premier League have surged ahead helping people ignore that they’re playing a player accused of rape.

4:00 PM PT — Seattle U women vs Hawaii Pacific at Championship Field. If you have the time head to the most beautiful small soccer stadium in the state.

6:00 PM PT — Dallas vs Real Salt Lake on ESPN+. It’s time to root for Dallas. That’s the only chance for Sounders to host a first round playoff match.

7:00 PM PT — Vancouver Whitecaps vs Nashville SC on ESPN+. A draw in this match is the most important non-Seattle result this weekend.

7:30 PM PT — Portland Thorns vs San Diego Wave on Paramount+. Two of the top three in the league meeting on a Saturday night should be a great time for a draw.

Sunday

6:00 AM PT — Aston Villa vs West Ham United on USA Network and Telemundo. Get up early. Enjoy a coffee. Feel Aaron’s pain.

11:45 AM PT — PSG vs Monaco on BeIN Sports. It’s like the Globetrotters when PSG play.

3:00 PM PT — FC Edmonton vs HFX Wanderers on Fox Soccer Plus. Former Defiance star Azriel Gonzalez continues to play well in the CPL.

5:00 PM PT — New England Revolution vs LA Galaxy on ESPN+. I’ve always been a Revs fan when they face a team ahead of Seattle in the standings.