Portland
Thorns FC Abroad | Hayley Raso scores as Brisbane Roar defeat Adelaide United | Portland Timbers
Four Thorns FC players featured in week four of Australia's Westfield W-League action, two of whom found the back of the net for their Australian club sides. Hayley Raso returned to the pitch Thursday with Celeste Boureille, as the pair earned the start and went a full 90 minutes in Brisbane Roar FC’s 1-0 defeat of Adelaide United.
Major League Soccer
Atlanta United's Miguel Almiron named 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year | MLSsoccer.com
Major League Soccer announced Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron as the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year, recognizing the Paraguayan international’s pivotal contributions to a spectacular inaugural season for the expansion side.
Armchair Analyst: Can Columbus copy RBNY blueprint to limit Reds? | MLSsoccer.com
An hour before the second leg of Toronto FC's Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Red Bulls released their starting XI. It was an unusual one for the visitors – only two center backs instead of their usual three, a pair of true forwards instead of their usual solo striker, and one fewer defensive midfielder than is typical.
Kenwyne Jones, Tyrone Mears among those not renewed by Atlanta United | MLSsoccer.com
Forward Kenwyne Jones and defender Tyrone Mears are among seven players whose club options were not exercised by Atlanta United on Monday. The 33-year-old Jones, a longtime Trinidad and Tobago international, had two goals in 17 league appearances (five starts) for the Five Stripes in 2017. and had announced his retirement from the sport earlier on Monday:
Report: LAFC chasing Egyptian international right back Omar Gaber | MLSsoccer.com
Bob Bradley's tenure with the Egyptian national team may be starting to yield dividends for his current club, as LAFC are reported to be chasing right back Omar Gaber, who helped the Egyptians qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and 2018 World Cup.
Man Utd's Rashford: Tim Howard was early idol at Old Trafford | MLSsoccer.com
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford gets paid to put the ball in the net, not to make saves in his own goal. But there was a time, Rashford says, when he idolized the Red Devils' then-goalkeeper – a guy named Tim Howard – and wanted to be just like him.
Can Columbus Crew SC trip up Tosaint Ricketts' race to the rescue? | MLSsoccer.com
Columbus Crew SC finally know which Toronto FC striker they’ll be facing in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship series on Tuesday (8pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN; TSN, TVAS). Now they just have to figure out how to stop him. The Independent Panel denied Toronto’s appeal of Jozy Altidore’s red card from Leg 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal, meaning he’ll be suspended for Tuesday’s match at MAPFRE Stadium. TFC star attacker Sebastian Giovinco is also suspended for the match after picking up two yellow cards over two games against the Red Bulls.
Sold-out Eastern Conference Final just one more positive for Crew SC | MLSsoccer.com
When Columbus Crew SC host rivals Toronto FC for the opening match of the Eastern Conference Championship on Tuesday night, it will be in front of a packed house. Crew SC Director of Business Operations Andy Loughnane told the Columbus Dispatch last week that the match is expected to be a sell-out, and Columbus players said that news has already provided a burst of energy in the days before the match.
Armchair Analyst: For Houston, the goal is to make Seattle CBs move | MLSsoccer.com
If you were to line up every team in the league into some sort of 11x100 relay sprint, the Houston Dynamo would probably be favorites. Their ability to get their wingers way out wide and then play them around the edge and into space has just broken teams, thoroughly and repeatedly, since March.
Dynamo Honduran trio ready to play after Australia visit - Houston Chronicle
Dynamo boss Wilmer Cabrera said Honduran internationals Alberth Elis, Boniek Garcia and Romell Quioto will be available for selection Tuesday night in the first leg of the Western Conference finals against Seattle Sounders FC. The Honduran trio was in Australia last week for Wednesday's second leg of their FIFA World Cup inter-continental playoff. Los Catrachos lost to Australia, 3-1, and will miss the 2018 World Cup.
United States
Andrew Carleton is already thinking towards 2022 - Stars and Stripes FC
Andrew Carleton...maybe you’ve heard of him? The 17-year-old is one of the young stars of the United States Youth National Team U-17s and is a member of Atlanta United in Major League Soccer. 2017 has been a big year for Carleton, a year which included his MLS debut and a trip to India for the U-17 World Cup
Report: USMNT could wait until after World Cup to hire coach - Stars and Stripes FC
The wait for a coach to permanently assume the role as United States Men’s National Team head coach may take a while. According to Steven Goff of the Washington Post, the USMNT coaching search could extend beyond the World Cup next year. It is expected that U.S. Soccer will not make a permanent hire before the organization’s presidential elections in February.
World
Real Decay: The Fall of Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale is a fading force at Real Madrid. The Welsh winger arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu from Tottenham as the world’s most expensive player in 2013, but following a strong start, his career in Spain has fallen into sharp decline.
Emery demands Champions League top spot for Paris Saint-Germain | Goal.com
Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery has urged supporters to back his side's bid to claim top spot in their Champions League group ahead of Wednesday evening's meeting with Celtic. The Ligue 1 leaders currently top Group B with fours wins from four, three points ahead of Bayern Munich in second place.
Pepe wants Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo to join him at Besiktas - ESPN FC
Former Real Madrid defender Pepe has told CNN World Sport that he would love his former teammate Cristiano Ronaldo to join him at Besiktas. Pepe, 34, left Madrid last summer after a decade with the club, during which he won La Liga three times, the Champions League three times and the Copa del Rey twice.