Portland
Houston Away | The Lone Star Brigade gives a visiting Timbers fan guide to Space City | Portland Timbers
As the Portland Timbers head to Texas for the first leg of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal against the Houston Dynamo on Monday (6:30pm PT, FS1), they'll have some familiar support. The Lone Star Brigade–the Timbers Army’s regional supporters group in Texas–will be there to cheer on their Timbers.
MLS Playoffs
Marsch responds to Vanney comments about RBNY: We're physical, not dirty | MLSsoccer.com
When New York Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch talks to his team about their pressing and counter-pressing style, he underscores the fact that he wants them to be an aggressive and physical side. But he doesn’t want them to foul – in fact, he hates when they foul the opposition.
After road draw, Seattle's Frei warns 'Caps: We're going to take it to them | MLSsoccer.com
Sunday’s 0-0 draw in the opening leg of their Western Conference Semifinal matchup with Vancouver Whitecaps FC was far from a pretty result for the Seattle Sounders. The match featured little attacking fireworks to speak of, as the Cascadia rivals combined for just 0.88 expected goals per ESPN's Paul Carr, good for the fewest of any of MLS’s combined 379 regular and postseason games this season.
Vancouver Whitecaps defend cautious approach in scoreless draw vs. Seattle | MLSsoccer.com
The Cascadian rivals played out a scoreless draw that seemed to leave both teams upbeat heading into Thursday's second leg (10:30 pm ET; FS1, FOX Deportes in US | TSN5, TVAS in Canada), and despite failing to make anything from their homefield advantage in the first match, Robinson certainly doesn't feel that it was a missed opportunity for the Whitecaps.
Boehm: Stalemate in Vancouver a question of strategy, not playoff format | MLSsoccer.com
The win-or-else Knockout Round is in the past, and the two-legged segment of the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs is upon us. And if you managed to forget, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders provided us a sobering reminder of just how much the competitive dynamic can change on Sunday night at BC Place.
In his hunt for trophies, Kei Kamara to explore "what's best for my career" | MLSsoccer.com
Ever since being traded from Columbus Crew SC to the New England Revolution amid controversy last year, Kei Kamara has made no secret that he’s never quite settled into his new surroundings. So as the Revs’ 2017 season came to a close, nearly 18 months removed from switching clubs, the question remained: Is he content with his current situation?
United States
Basic introduction to a positional idea (I) – feyre9251 – Medium
An appropriate starting point is understanding the ideas of positional superiority, the space, and its relationship with the information sources or references in the game (i.e. ball-teammates-opponents).
Scuffed, Vol. 29: What’s wrong with American soccer and can it be fixed?
We knew these would be dark days. The coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team for next month’s friendly against Portugal will be Dave Sarachan, an uninspiring appointment. He’s a Bruce Arena assistant serving the remainder of his contract along with the rest of Arena’s staff through the end of 2017.
World
Real Madrid injury woes mount as Bale, Isco & Varane doubtful for Tottenham showdown | Goal.com
Real Madrid could be without Isco, Raphael Varane, Gareth Bale and Keylor Navas for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Tottenham. Head coach Zinedine Zidane had suggested Bale could have recovered from a calf problem in time to face his old club but he trained alone on Monday at Valdebebas.
Paris Saint-Germain 'are cheating economically' - La Liga's Javier Tebas - ESPN FC
La Liga president Javier Tebas has accused Paris Saint-Germain of "cheating economically" and urged UEFA to expel them from the Champions League if they are found to have infringed financial fair play (FFP) rules.
Chelsea's Alvaro Morata 'would never have left Juventus' but for buy-back clause - ESPN FC
Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata says he would never have left Juventus, had he not been ordered back to Real Madrid in 2016. The 25-year-old spent two seasons with the Bianconeri, but the deal which saw him move to Turin from Madrid for €22 million in 2014 included a clause which allowed Los Blancos to sign him back for a fixed sum.