Portland:
Quick Strikes | David Guzmán one of three Timbers with six-plus assists in 2017 | Portland Timbers
On a seven-points-in-three-games stretch, the Portland Timbers look to continue their recent success as they travel to play Toronto FC Saturday (3pm PT, ROOT SPORTS) Here are five numbers to know for #TORvPOR in the latest Quick Strikes.
Major League Soccer:
Paul Arriola: Bruce Arena's blessing made move to D.C. United an easy decision | Goal.com
Transfer moves can sometimes be tricky propositions for young players who have only recently broken into the national team picture. Make the wrong move or a move your national team coach doesn't see as helping you, and it could wind up working against you.
MLS transfer news: D.C. United signs Hungary playmaker Zoltan Stieber | Goal.com
D.C. United has signed Hungarian playmaker Zoltan Stieber from Kaiserslautern, the MLS side announced Wednesday. The 28-year-old, who scored one goal in three appearances for his country at Euro 2016, primarily lines up on the left flank but also has experience playing on the right and centrally.
Martino ‘good’ with Atlanta United’s transfer b
The team, in fifth in the Eastern Conference with 35 points, traded a 2019 pick in the SuperDraft to D.C. United for centerback Bobby Boswell on Tuesday. Boswell has made 365 appearances in MLS and is expected to add depth behind Michael Parkhurst and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez.
No signings for Philadelphia Union at summer transfer deadline
“Up to now, the business that we’ve been able to do wasn’t sufficient enough so that [potential signings] would be better than what we have,” sporting director Earnie Stewart said. “So we’ve refrained from that.”
Coach Pablo Mastroeni doesn't fault Rapids' effort, blames game management for inability to close out games
With hopes of rising from the Western Conference cellar into playoff contention dimming by the week, Rapids coach Pablo Mastroeni concedes every remaining match becomes a “must-win” proposition, even though eight of the final 13 are on the road.
NYCFC fall short in quest for defender, but Vieira insists they can compete | MLSsoccer.com
Patrick Vieira wanted to bring in three new targets to “refresh the team, bring a new dynamic inside the dressing room” and “put more pressure on players.” But it appears with the Major League Soccer secondary transfer window closed, New York City FC will make its run at the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup without reinforcements.
Armchair Analyst: Grading all 22 teams for the summer transfer window | MLSsoccer.com
As of midnight ET on Thursday morning, the secondary transfer/trade window is officially closed in MLS. That means the vast majority of big moves have been made. It does not, however, mean that all moves have been made. The transfer window in Europe is still open, so if an obscene offer comes in for the right MLS player, we could still potentially see some outgoing movement.
United States:
U.S.'s Mix Diskerud to extend loan to Sweden's IFK Goteborg - source - ESPN FC
U.S. international midfielder Mix Diskerud is set to have his loan to Swedish side IFK Goteborg extended through the end of 2017, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed to ESPN FC.
Haji Wright headed to Sandhausen on loan - Stars and Stripes FC
Haji Wright, previously a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy Academy and the The New York Cosmos, has joined Bundesliga 2 club Sandhausen on loan from Schalke for the 2017-2018 season.
World:
Philippe Coutinho Asks to Leave Liverpool FC - The Liverpool Offside
Less than 24-hours before opening kickoff and Philippe Coutinho drops an absolute bombshell on Liverpool. The Echo is now confirming that Coutinho has, in fact, asked to leave the club, although details are sketchy at this time.
Manchester United are in contract talks with Zlatan Ibrahimovic - The Busby Babe
Rejoice! Rejoice! It seems that the reign of His Grace Zlatan of House Ibrahimović, First of His Name, King of the Anders, the Rashfords, and the Fosu-Mensahs, Lord of Old Trafford, and Protector of Eric the Red, may not be over after all.
Signing Neymar Jr means keeping Neymar Sr happy too - ESPN FC
Like countless Brazilian kids for their 18th or 19th birthday, Jr. wanted a car as a coming-of-age present. It was nothing unusual, not even when his father made good performance a condition of whether he would get the gift he wanted. The difference here is that instead of university entrance exams results, Jr. would have to work with his feet.
Roy's Swedish Revolution - theBlizzard.co.uk
Roy Hodgson — young, unknown and unproven — got his first experience of front-line coaching in November 1975 when he was appointed by the Swedish no-hopers Halmstads Bollklubb. A year later he could light a cigar and enjoy the sweet smell of success as Halmstad had won their first ever league championship. Hodgson was still only 29.
Danny Rose has Tottenham future despite comments - Mauricio Pochettino - ESPN FC
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said that Danny Rose has a future at the club, and reminded the defender and rest of his squad that they were not forced to sign new contracts last season.