Rose City Roundup: Bye Week Edition

Weekends are always a little less exciting without a Timbers game, but there sure is plenty of other soccer this weekend. The Thorns take on the the Chicago Red Stars today for the third time, this time at Jeld-Wen, both the men's and women's national teams play friendlies tomorrow, and of course, although the Timbers aren't playing, MLS action carries on. Any particular games you guys will be watching?

Enjoy a special Saturday round of links and news. Thanks to Jonanna for providing the NWSL- and USWNT-related links and thank you to Ryan to for the first two links in this round up.

MLS EI Forecast (May 31, 2013)
Forecasting the Supporter's Shield race and playoff spots.

Chivas USA makes a very coherent case for 'Worst professional team in North America'
"Each year, it seems, Chivas USA hits some kind of new low."

USA vs. Germany Preview: Fingerspitzengefühl!
An in-depth preview of tomorrow's friendly.

Gold Cup: Landon Donovan, Oguchi Onyewu, Carlos Bocanegra on preliminary 35-man USMNT roster
The preliminary roster for the Gold Cup (to be cut later from 35 to 23) was announced yesterday. As expected, the U.S. is fielding a B team, with lots of fringe players hoping to break into the regular roster, as well as some guys who are probably on their way out, hoping to prove the U.S. still needs them.

Canada eager to embrace U.S.-born starlet
US-born, current Chicago Red Stars player Rachel Quon has been asked to play for CanWNT, but hasn't been approved in time for this week's friendly

NWSL: Seattle Reign coach Laura Harvey picks up first fine in league history
Laura Harvey gets FIRST EVER NWSL fine for grumping about officials.

Studio 90: Ashlyn vs. Alex and Syd
Studio 90 video of Alex Morgan and Ashlyn Harris describing the circumstances of Morgan's PK when the Reign played the Spirit.