Portland:
Valeri, De Rosario lead Blue team to victory in 2017 MLS Skills Challenge | MLSsoccer.com
Less than 24 hours after notching a goal and an assist for the Portland Timbers, midfielder Diego Valeri stood over his team’s final penalty in Sunday’s MLS Skills Challenge presented by FIFA 18. Valeri had missed his first attempt at the eight breakable targets placed in the goal, but this time he connected, smacking the top right target, earning points that eventually helped his team come out on top.
Major League Soccer:
FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta says he could move to Europe this summer | MLSsoccer.com
FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta told MLSsoccer.com on Sunday that he could move to Europe this summer, adding fuel to FCD technical director Fernando Clavijo’s recent comments that he expects the 22-year-old US international to head overseas “in the next 12 months.”
At right back, Graham Zusi finds new life with Sporting KC, USMNT | MLSsoccer.com
For soccer players, a position is a professional identity. Their preferred spot is where they feel most comfortable and where they make their living – both their home and office on the field. So asking a player to move positions, especially if it involves switching lines, is a big deal.
D.C. United in serious talks with Dutch enforcer Nigel de Jong - The Washington Post
De Jong, 32, is reportedly on his way out of Turkish club Galatasaray after one season and, according to sources familiar with the situation, has been approached by United about returning to MLS before the league transfer window closes next week.
Allocation, Assets and Discipline: How Chicago's rebuild set MLS on Fire | MLSsoccer.com
When Nelson Rodriguez took the Chicago Fire GM job in September 2015, never in his worst nightmares did he imagine the team would finish at the very bottom of MLS last year. And never – never – in his wildest dreams did he dare to think his club would be fighting for a Supporters’ Shield nearly two-thirds of the way through his second season in Bridgeview
Demanding Tata Martino getting the most out of Atlanta United | MLSsoccer.com
One of the biggest reasons for Atlanta United FC’s expansion season success has been the tireless work of their young attackers. Miguel Almiron, Hector Villalba, Josef Martinez and Yamil Asad – all 24 or under – have brought plenty of punch to Atlanta’s high-flying attack, combining for 29 goals and 23 assists in the team’s first 21 games.
Schmid cautiously optimistic after LA Galaxy draw in his first game back | MLSsoccer.com
After a week full of surprises, new LA Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid finally got back to what he’s done for most of the past several decades: stand on the sidelines and coach.
Jack Elliott worthy of Rookie of Year consideration, Curtin says | MLSsoccer.com
The Philadelphia Union have never had a Rookie of the Year winner, though Jim Curtin thinks that could change very soon. Philly’s coach declared as such after his side’s 3-0 loss at the New England Revolution last Saturday, one where first-year center back Jack Elliott was a bright spot on an otherwise dreary night.
Armchair Analyst: On Dom Dwyer's debut, OCSC struggle to stay engaged | MLSsoccer.com
In a vacuum, a draw on the road is almost never a bad result in MLS. But Orlando City's 1-1 draw at Atlanta United on Saturday didn't happen in a vacuum.
United States:
Three losers of USMNT’s 2017 Gold Cup - Stars and Stripes FC
Welcome back to our mini Gold Cup postmortem series where we go through and decide who helped themselves and who didn’t. If you missed it, we’ve already covered the good side. You can read that here. In true blogging fashion, it’s time to stop with all the lovey-dovey and get on with the negativity. Which players failed to grasp their chance for the United States in this Gold Cup? Here’s our picks for the three biggest losers of the tournament.
Tournament of Nations: USA grits out 4-3 win over Brazil - Stars and Stripes FC
Jill Ellis shook up her starting XI against Brazil, moving Becky Sauerbrunn out of the defense and into defensive mid. Considering the problems in the last game against Australia were a complete lack of attacking mid, perhaps she was attempting to both shore up that area in front of the 18 against Marta while freeing Carli Lloyd and Sam Mewis to go up more. It didn’t really work.
World:
Darmstadt sign Seattle Sounders' Joevin Jones to contract for 2018 - ESPN FC
Joevin Jones will leave the Seattle Sounders after the MLS season to join Darmstadt, the German second-division club announced on Sunday.
Phil Jones and Daley Blind punished for breach of UEFA doping regulations - ESPN FC
Phil Jones has been banned for two matches and Daley Blind fined by UEFA after the Manchester United pair were found guilty of breaching the governing body's doping regulations after the Europa League final in May.
This soccer goal was so perfect ... except it was an own goal - SBNation.com
Eibar’s Jose Angel had a beautifully placed goal in the 66th minute of his team’s game against Schalke on Sunday. The only problem with the kick (which had beautiful spin by the way) was it sent the ball into his own team’s goal. That’s... bad.
Escaping Kakuma
Two teams fought to a nil-nil draw in regulation, dust puffing around their feet like flint smoke as they ran. The shootout begins after Kakuma’s 6 p.m. curfew. Four thousand or so fans push in from the sidelines to form a human outline of the penalty box. Every minute past curfew means greater likelihood that there will be repercussions from police.