The video game version of the soccer wars started with FIFA releasing a simple mobile game. EA’s entry releases in July and the top domestic leagues are in it.

EA SPORTS FC is the next chapter in The World’s Game. Join the club this July.
EA's new soccer game has multiple league partnerships (including MLS) plus several Champions Leagues already signed on

MLS

The Columbus Dispatch: MLS adds rule allowing breaks for players fasting during Ramadan
River City Ramble podcast Throw In – Seattle Sounders Preview – River City Ramble

MLS offer to Messi can't compete with PSG and Al-Hilal wages
Spanish reporter Guillem Ballague has claimed that Inter Miami and MLS can't offer Lionel Messi better wages than PSG or Al Hilal.

Javier Morales climbs from Inter Miami academy to first team: "You do everything" | MLSSoccer.com
As a player, Javier Morales had the world at his feet. The gold standard in MLS playmakers for the better part of a decade, he was a two-time All-Star and key member of the Real Salt Lake sides that won the 2009 MLS Cup and reached the finals of the

ASN article: After revamping their youth pipeline, Revolution seeing the benefits - led by Buck

other men’s club soccer

Nine Key USL Championship Stories from the Second Round of the Open Cup

“VerDos” Brings the Energy at Fraction of the Price: It’s well worth a trip to see Austin FC II in action - Sports - The Austin Chronicle
VerDos host Defiance Friday night at 5 pm PT on MLS Season Pass

NWSL

Brazilians are increasingly taking their talents to the NWSL, eager to learn and prepare for the World Cup – Equalizer Soccer
Eight Brazilian national team players now compete in the NWSL, second only to Canada among internationals.

United States national teams

How do World Cup favourites look ahead of final tune-ups?
April's friendlies will be the last chance for teams to gauge what they have before this summer's World Cup, so what are the favourites working on?

USWNT World Cup roster predictions: Who will and won’t make it? – Equalizer Soccer
The United States women’s national team begins the final stage of its World Cup preparation with a pair of games against the Republic of Ireland over the next week. U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski will be looking to obtain further clarity regarding his squad in these friendly games in this final international window before he selects his World Cup roster.

USWNT 2023 Friendlies: Scouting Republic of Ireland - Stars and Stripes FC
The USWNT hosts two friendlies against a European opponent.

other international soccer

Wales 4-1 Northern Ireland: Jess Fishlock stars as hosts win comfortably - BBC Sport
Jess Fishlock stars as Wales breezed past Northern Ireland 4-1 in a friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Puget Sound soccer

MLS NEXT Pro Top 10 Power Rankings: Matchday 2 | MLSNEXTPro.com
Defiance are in 8th, which is 3 spots lower than their raw standings and silly.

Seattle Sounders FC Renew StatsBomb Partnership - StatsBomb | Data Champions
StatsBomb has renewed a deal to provide its advanced performance data and analytical services to Seattle Sounders FC.

Why OL Reign has the best NWSL defense: Tactical analysis | ESPN
It's not just that OL Reign has talented players like Rose Lavelle and Megan Rapinoe. Coach Laura Harvey's tactics are tough to break down.

Unsung Heroes - An NWSL Series: Matchday 2 - All For XI
The next installment in our series highlights Lauren Milliet and Olivia Van der Jagt’s contributions this past week.

Open Flavor Friday

Chris Pine Says Kids Should Play ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ In School, And He’s Absolutely Right
Chris Pine is right about Dungeons & Dragons. It helps ignite our imagination and learn to work together. Like so many games, we should make it part of our kids' education — in school and at home.

Ted Lasso's subtle, yet touching tribute to Grant Wahl - The18
Blink, and you may just miss this nod to Grant Wahl in the latest episode of Ted Lasso.

What to watch this weekend

A selection of soccer matches around the world this weekend.

Friday

10:00 am PT — Lecce men vs Napoli in Serie A play on Paramount+

5:00 pm PT — Austin II vs Tacoma Defiance in MLS Next Pro play on MLS Season Pass (not free)

Saturday

9:30 am PT — Southampton men vs Manchester City in Premier League play on NBC, Universo, NBCSports.com

11:00 am PT — Chicago Red Stars vs Mexico in a friendly on TUDN

11:30 am PT — USWNT vs Ireland Republic on TNT and Universo

11:45 am PT — Lazio men vs Juventus in Serie A play on CBS Sports Net and Paramount+

2:00 pm PT — San Diego Loyal vs FC Tulsa in USL Championship play on ESPN+. Start scouting the Sounders Open Cup opponent.

4:30 pm PT — Los Angeles FC vs Austin FC in MLS play on FOX, FOX Deportes and Apple TV (free)

7:30 pm PT — Seattle Sounders FC vs St. Louis City in MLS play on Apple TV (free)

Sunday

6:00 am PT — Leeds United men vs Crystal Palace in Premier League play on USA Network and Universo

10:30 am PT — Hoffenheim men vs Schalke 04 in Bundesliga play on ESPN+

5:05 pm PT — Santos Laguna men vs Pachuca in Liga MX play on FS1 and FOX Deportes

This is your weekend open thread