Portland:
Wiebe: Ranking 10 clubs who can least afford to miss MLS Cup Playoffs | MLSsoccer.com
Two months. That’s all that’s left to climb the table to new heights, hold on to what you’ve got or scratch and claw your way into one of 12 playoff spots. With 10 games left in the regular season, give or take, the pressure is officially on in MLS, and there’s plenty to gain – and lose.
Major League Soccer:
LA Galaxy tops Forbes list of most valuable MLS teams | SBI Soccer
The LA Galaxy are on top of the list with an overall value of $315 million, thanks in large part to their lucrative broadcast and stadium naming rights deals. That represents a 19% increase over their value from the previous season. They generated a league high $63 million in revenue, which blows away the nearest competition, and a league high operating income on $9 million.
Report: Citizens group opposes taxpayer money for new stadium, urges MLS to accept Nippert Stadium | SBI Soccer
A Cincinnati-based citizens’ group is calling for MLS to accept Nippert Stadium should FC Cincinnati join the league in the coming years while dismissing a new soccer-specific stadium stemming from taxpayer wallets. The group claims that if MLS and FCC decide they need a new stadium, “they need to pay it with their own money.”
MLS announces 4th sub for playoff games, clarifies VAR procedure - Dirty South Soccer
Knockout rounds of major tournaments are often filled with turgid matches featuring teams abandoning an attacking style for a more conservative one. The stakes are high and the risk of a turnover leading to a counter attack and game changing goal seems to make managers less apt to have their teams aggressively push forward.
FC Dallas looking to jumpstart form, but brush off talk of a summer slump | MLSsoccer.com
With just one win and three goals scored in the past month, FC Dallas fans have revived a term from the Schellas Hyndman days – the FC Dallas summer slump. Two players in particular have found themselves struggling with form over recent weeks.
Toronto FC's Bono has emerged as GK fixture, with possible USMNT future | MLSsoccer.com
Age, even for a goalkeeper, ain't nothing but a number. Alex Bono has been "excellent" for Toronto FC this season, as Greg Vanney said after Saturday's 4-1 win over Portland at BMO Field. That victory marked a milestone for Bono: it was his 13th of the season, setting a new record for the club, as well as his 20th in Toronto, equalling Stefan Frei's all-time mark.
Ola Kamara focused on Crew SC playoff push and not concerned by contract talk - ESPN FC
Ola Kamara says he's not concerned with his unsettled contract situation amid Columbus Crew SC's push to reach the MLS playoffs.The forward has two years left on his current deal, but multiple sources told ESPN FC on Wednesday that Kamara would look to leave MLS this winter after negotiations on an extension stalled.
United States:
DeAndre Yedlin returns to training for Newcastle United - Stars and Stripes FC
I come here to bring you good news, U.S. International and Seattle native DeAndre Yedlin has returned to training after suffering a hamstring injury during Newcastle United’s preseason, and his return couldn’t come at a better time.
World:
Jose Mourinho: Fourth Manchester United transfer unlikely | Goal.com
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho accepts that they are unlikely to sign the fourth player he wants before the transfer widow shuts on August 31.
Liverpool reject fresh €125m offer from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho and maintain he's not for sale | Goal.com
Liverpool have immediately rebuffed a €125 million offer from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, reiterating their “definitive stance” that the player is not on the market this summer.
Nemanja Matic trolls Chelsea: Manchester United are bigger | Goal.com
Nemanja Matic feels Manchester United are "definitely" a bigger club than his former side Chelsea. The midfielder spent three-and-a-half years in his second spell at Chelsea, winning the Premier League twice in that time before moving to United ahead of this season in a reported £40 million move.