Portland
Armchair Analyst: In Savarese, Timbers get coach with local, global cred | MLSsoccer.com
One of my favorite soccer stories was told me to me a little over a decade ago at a New York City pub called Nevada Smith's. MetroStars legend Giovanni Savarese, who had retired as a player just a couple years prior, was holding court with the Empire Supporters Club, signing autographs and explaining the new youth development initiatives he was heading up for the recently rebranded New York Red Bulls.
Major League Soccer
Report: Nashville awarded one of two MLS expansion teams | SBI Soccer
Nashville will be the latest city to be home to an MLS franchise, according to Sports Illustrated. MLS commissioner Don Garber will be in Nashville to make an announcement on Wednesday afternoon, which will reportedly be to officially award the expansion franchise in front of the city’s population.
Report: San Jose on verge of signing Swedish striker Magnus Eriksson | MLSsoccer.com
It looks like the Swedish league’s top scorer is headed to San Jose. Swedish outlet Expressen reported on Saturday that Djurgardens forward Magnus Eriksson is set for a transfer to the Earthquakes. San Jose’s interest in Eriksson was initially reported late last month.
Report: Ezequiel Barco wants Atlanta United offer accepted by Independiente - Dirty South Soccer
In yet another twist to the Ezequiel Barco tale, Argentine network TyC Sports is reporting that the promising winger will speak with Independiente coach Ariel Holan and recently re-elected vice president Hugo Moyano to ask the club to accept Atlanta United’s offer.
Stejskal: RSL acquire Lennon on free transfer from Liverpool | MLSsoccer.com
Lennon will join RSL on a permanent deal after spending 2017 on-loan to the club from Liverpool. The 20-year-old recorded three goals and four assists in 25 regular season appearances and 15 starts last year. Lennon, who grew up in the RSL academy before moving to Liverpool in 2015, also played for the US at last summer’s Under-20 World Cup, helping the team to the quarterfinals.
Orlando City SC Acquires RJ Allen, Stéfano Pinho; Re-Signs Dillon Powers | Orlando City Soccer Club
Orlando City SC acquires defender RJ Allen from New York City FC in exchange for Orlando’s 2018 MLS SuperDraft third-round pick, signs forward Stéfano Pinho, who was most recently with North American Soccer League side Miami FC, and re-signs midfielder Dillon Powers.
Castillo: MLS preseason takes on new meaning due to revamped CCL schedule | MLSsoccer.com
Monday night’s Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League draw at Univision’s headquarters proceeded as a much more staid affair than the Univision Deportes awards show in the same space on Sunday night. But if the concise ceremony lacked in tubas and pyrotechnics, the resulting matchups at least served up some intriguing possibilities for the five MLS teams in the 2018 edition of the tournament. (They’re Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bulls, Colorado Rapids, and FC Dallas, and you can look at their matchups here.)
United States
United States youth international Jonathan Gonzalez named to Liga MX Best XI
The 18-year-old central midfielder only made his league debut for Monterrey on July 21 this year, but nailed down a starting spot for Rayados and went on to start 20 Liga MX games as Monterrey finished first in the regular season table and narrowly lost the Apertura final to city rivals Tigres.
U.S. Soccer refutes Laurent Blanc’s claims that he declined job offer - Stars and Stripes FC
Despite former PSG and France manager Laurent Blanc claiming that he has turned down an offer to fill the open U.S. men’s national team manager vacancy, U.S. Soccer says no formal talks have been held with any candidate.
Yanks Abroad: Chandler returns from injury, Siebatcheu hat-trick - Stars and Stripes FC
The Golden Boy stole the headlines this weekend with a phenomenal, match-winning finish, but we’ve got much more to discuss this week. Among the news was Timothy Chandler making his triumphant return to the Eintracht Frankfurt lineup and an eligible youngster recorded a hat-trick in France.
World
Antoine Griezmann transfer news: Atletico Madrid report Barcelona to FIFA over improper contact with striker | Goal.com
Atletico Madrid have reported La Liga rivals Barcelona to FIFA over improper contact with Antoine Griezmann, sources have confirmed to Goal . The France international, who is under contract with the capital club until 2021-22, has been linked to moves to moves away from the capital over the past year, with Manchester United among the teams mentioned.
United going nowhere fast under Mourinho as Pep's progress shows gulf in class
Look at the facts of their performances on paper. In the Premier League they are averaging over two goals a game (39 in 18), have defeated Arsenal and Tottenham while drawing at Liverpool, and have the joint-best defensive record, having conceded only 12 goals. What more, Mourinho may think, may people want? His problem, of course, is that Manchester City are hovering above them with all the subtlety of a solar eclipse.
Report: Bastian Schweinsteiger gaining interest from Bundesliga | SBI Soccer
The German midfielder, who came over to play with the Chicago Fire in 2017, has interest from other clubs in Europe, primarily the Bundesliga, according to reports out of Germany.