Portland
Timbers players Valeri and Valentin add their voices to special RCTID ballad | Portland Timbers
Former USL Timbers player Troy Ready–who's been known to write a Timbers song or two–penned a ballad about the 2017 season and pulled in pals Valeri and Valentin to add some backing vocals to the song. Have a listen.
Major League Soccer
After goal-starved 2017, Sporting KC embark on search for striker | MLSsoccer.com
Peter Vermes is normally pretty cagey when you ask him about his transfer-window shopping plans. The usual response from Sporting Kansas City's manager and technical director runs along the lines of, “We're always looking to get better at every position.”
Six players in the NCAA tournament that could end up starring in MLS | MLSsoccer.com
The 2017 NCAA men’s soccer tournament will kick off on Thursday, with 40 teams set to begin what they hope will be a run to the College Cup title in Philadelphia next month. And while the college game isn’t without its faults, it still places plenty of players – and a few legitimate stars – in MLS each season. Several have made their names during the NCAA tournament, with Jordan Morris, Jack Harrison and Julian Gressel among the MLS standouts who went on deep tourney runs in recent years.
With Jozy Altidore red card appeal denied, Toronto FC "have to move on" | MLSsoccer.com
TFC learned on Wednesday that Jozy Altidore, whose suspension for a red card shown after a fracas in the tunnel at halftime against the New York Red Bulls in Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was upheld by the Independent Review Panel, which consists of a representative each from the US Soccer Federation, Canadian Soccer Association and Professional Referees Organization.
Dynamo's Cabrera sees international break as a potential boon for his squad | MLSsoccer.com
The Houston Dynamo will play their biggest game in four years on Nov. 21, when they host the Seattle Sounders in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship (9:30 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; TSN1/3, TVAS). But despite the looming task ahead, manager Wilmer Cabrera strikes a calm figure.
Report: Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders agree to new one-year contract | MLSsoccer.com
ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported on Wednesday that Clint Dempsey will be returning to the Seattle Sounders in 2018 after agreeing to a new deal. The report claims that Dempsey, 34, will sign a one-year contract with the Sounders. He is out of contract at the end of the current season, but the team holds an option, with the new deal replacing the previous one.
Crew SC ownership statement on meeting with Columbus mayor, MLS | MLSsoccer.com
Following a meeting on Wednesday afternoon between Precourt Sports Ventures, which operates Columbus Crew SC, MLS Commissioner Don Garber, Columbus mayor Andy Ginther and Columbus Partnership CEO Alex Fischer regarding Crew SC's potential move to Austin, Precourt Sports Ventures has issued the following statement:
Impact exercises options for six players | Montreal Impact
The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that it has exercised options for six players, meaning that 22 players are currently under contract ahead of the 2018 season. The club has exercised options for goalkeeper Evan Bush, for defenders Kyle Fisher and Daniel Lovitz, for midfielders David Choinière and Michael Salazar, as well as for striker Nick DePuy.
United States
Armchair Analyst: Deciphering the current state of the USMNT depth chart | MLSsoccer.com
I still don't believe there's a real silver lining to the USMNT missing the 2018 World Cup. You know what'd be better for Weston McKennie, Matt Miazga and Tyler Adams than playing a bunch of friendlies? Playing a bunch of pressure-packed games on the world's biggest stage. Now that won't happen.
World
World Cup 2018 field is set but 32 teams still have work to do - ESPN FC
Two-hundred and sixty-four days elapsed between Brazil doing it and Peru doing it. But when it happens is relatively immaterial. It's all about getting in, like getting a table in the roped-off VIP area of the nightclub.
Germany stay top of FIFA World Ranking as Senegal climb to highest place - ESPN FC
The world champions have now held the No. 1 position for three consecutive months, and the top five remains unchanged for the second month in a row with Brazil, Portugal, Argentina and Belgium next in the ranking.
Philippe Coutinho: From playmaker to unplayable in five years | Goal.com
“When I arrived, I had only been seen or thought of as a playmaker,” he remembers. “But I’ve had the opportunity to work with top professionals, real quality players, and under good managers, which has helped me understand the responsibilities of different positions and what each one requires.