Portland:
Portland Timbers have struggled to find consistency on backline this season due to injuries | OregonLive.com
Portland Timbers coach Caleb Porter started his preferred center back pairing in Liam Ridgewell and Larrys Mabiala for the first time this season in Portland's 3-1 win over the LA Galaxy last week.
Major League Soccer:
Orlando City, Colorado Rapids swap midfielders Luis Gil, Dillon Powers | MLSsoccer.com
Orlando City SC and the Colorado Rapids pulled off a midfield swap in the final hours of the MLS summer transfer window, with the Rapids receiving Luis Gil and $100,000 of Targeted Allocation Money while Dillon Powers heads south to Orlando.
Summer 2017 MLS Transfer Window Tracker: New England Revolution | MLSsoccer.com
ESPN's Taylor Twellman reports that the New England Revolution will sign former Sporting KC F Krisztian Nemeth. Since Nemeth, who transferred out of MLS for a fee following the 2015 season, is subject to the league's allocation process, the Revs will reportedly send "$350K+" of allocation money to Columbus Crew SC, who hold the top spot in the Allocation Order.
Sporting Kansas City 1 (5), San Jose Earthquakes 1 (4) | USOC Match Recap | MLSsoccer.com
Andrew Tarbell's saves forced the penalty shootout. Tim Melia's won it. Melia dove right to save Victor Bernardez in the sixth round of penalties to lift Sporting Kansas City into its fourth U.S. Open Cup Final with a 5-4 shootout win after playing the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-1 draw in Wednesday night's semifinal at Children's Mercy Park.
Whitecaps acquire Maund from RSL, send Christian Dean to Fire at deadline | MLSsoccer.com
Vancouver first announced they had acquired the center back Maund (pictured above) from Real Salt Lake for a third-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, then 45 minutes later revealed they had dealt Dean, another central defender, to the Chicago Fire for $50,000 in General Allocation Money.
Vela's move to LAFC raises eyebrows, but he could become the best in MLS - ESPN FC
The news that Carlos Vela will be joining Los Angeles FC shouldn't come as a shock. The 28-year-old has long been linked with MLS, has previously said he would like to be nearer to his family in Mexico and will have his Mexican friends and LA Galaxy brothers Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos as neighbors.
Crew SC pays a high price but gets a player it coveted in Santos
Gregg Berhalter was in Portugal last November watching an SC Braga game when he found himself drawn to the club’s right winger, Pedro Santos. The Crew SC coach and sporting director inquired about Santos’ transfer fee and perhaps wished he hadn’t.
DC United acquire ex-US youth international Russell Canouse from Hoffenheim | MLSsoccer.com
D.C. United's busy transfer window rolled on Wednesday evening, with the club announcing they had acquired American midfielder Russell Canouse from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim of the German Bundesliga on a permanent transfer.
United States:
Why it’s not so easy to fire Jill Ellis - Stars and Stripes FC
It's been a tough year for the US Women’s National Team. After going over a decade without losing at home, they’ve dropped three games so far in 2017. The reigning World Cup champions have also failed to win either of the tournaments they set up this year.
How can Bill Hamid earn more playing time for the USMNT? - Stars and Stripes FC
As the United States begins to focus on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Bruce Arena will start narrowing down his preferred choices at every position. One of the main debates he will have will be which goalkeepers he will turn to in the clutch. It’s widely known that Tim Howard is the clear #1 and Brad Guzan the backup, but who’s #3?
World:
Chelsea's Willian: Jose Mourinho wanted me at Manchester United - ESPN FC
Chelsea attacker Willian has told Goal that Jose Mourinho made an approach to bring him to Manchester United but stressed that he is "very happy" at Stamford Bridge.
Zinedine Zidane's Real Madrid similar to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona Vicente Del Bosque - ESPN FC
Vicente del Bosque says it is right to compare Zinedine Zidane's all-conquering Real Madrid side to the Barcelona team managed by Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2012.
Glazers to sell two percent of Manchester United shares on New York Stock Exchange - sources - ESPN FC
The Glazer family will sell a further two percent of Manchester United shares worth around $73.91 million (£56.85m) on the New York Stock Exchange, sources close to the club have told ESPN FC.
Gareth Bale to Tottenham Hotspur rumors: ‘First option’ will not help Spurs sign him - SBNation.com
Between the emergence of Marco Asensio and the impetus to beat Barcelona to teenage sensation Kylian Mbappe, rumors have started circulating that Real Madrid is willing to sell Gareth Bale for the right price. And yesterday, everyone’s favorite anonymous and well-connected former footballer endeared himself to Tottenham Hotspur fans Monday with this tweet.
Liverpool Reject Barcelona’s €100M Bid for Philippe Coutinho - The Liverpool Offside
It’s been two weeks since Liverpool received Barcelona’s opening bid for Philippe Coutinho. Two weeks since the club told the Catalan club not to waste their time and that any further bids would be rejected. Two weeks of nearly daily reports in the Catalan press saying a deal was done and the player would be announced tomorrow.