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Around The Forest: Philippe Coutinho wants to trade Liverpool for Barcelona

Timbers lay down epic troll, the wizardry of Diego Valeri, Nashville expansion news and more!

Portland:

Portland Timbers waited 5 months to hit back at the LA Galaxy’s epic ‘Shooting Stars’ meme | For The Win
Back in March, the Portland Timbers defeated the LA Galaxy in a somewhat controversial 1-0 match. And despite the loss, the Galaxy’s social team obliterated the Timbers with an all-time rendition of the “Shooting Stars” meme.

The Union’s Problem With Shots and the Wizardry of Diego Valeri — American Soccer Analysis
Jim Curtin has recently admitted that his Philadelphia Union are having a problem with their shots. Curtin's claim holds water; the Union's shot quality of .12xG/shot is 7th best in the league while their 11.09 shots per game are good for 20th in the league. It’s worth noting that taking fewer, but better shots isn't necessarily bad since it's a matter of different shooting philosophies.

Major League Soccer:

Houston Dynamo add ex-Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos - ESPN FC
The Houston Dynamo signed former Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos on Monday, following a successful trial. The 32-year-old has played at the past three World Cups with Switzerland and moves to MLS after playing his entire career in Europe.

Wilf family from NFL Minnesota Vikings join Nashville franchise bid - ESPN FC
Nashville's bid for an MLS expansion franchise received a boost on Tuesday with the announcement that Mark, Zygi, and Leonard Wilf -- the majority owners of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings -- have joined the organization's ownership group.

Football world watches as MLS rolls out video replays leaguewide | Football | The Guardian
FC Dallas thought they had clawed a goal back. Maxi Urruti reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, and found the back of the net to give the Texans a lifeline against the Philadelphia Union. On any other weekend previously this season, the goal probably would have stood.

Repeating soccer success remains an elusive task for Loons - StarTribune.com
Back on July 29, Minnesota United enjoyed its biggest victory of the season, a 4-0 thrashing of league-worst D.C. United. But only a week later, the Loons were on the wrong end of that same score Saturday thanks to the Seattle Sounders FC, the reigning MLS champions.

Seattle Sounders send 2018 SuperDraft pick to D.C. United for Lamar Neagle | MLSsoccer.com
The two teams agreed to a trade on Tuesday that saw the Sounders send a 2018 MLS SuperDraft fourth round pick to D.C. in exchange for the 30-year-old forward, who made 53 appearances (30 starts) for the Black-and-Red and was the club's leading scorer in 2016 with nine goals.

Parchman: Five teams most reliant on their star to carry them to MLS Cup | MLSsoccer.com
MLS is beginning to arrive at a unique point in its evolution; it’s exceedingly difficult now to even compete for, let alone win, an MLS Cup without a fiercely-burning, MVP-level star spearheading the effort. Every cup winner since 2011 has had a bonafide league star depressing the accelerator, and with each passing season it gets increasingly difficult to make deep postseason runs without one.

After key home win, Earthquakes target road success, starting with Open Cup | MLSsoccer.com
With two wins and a tie away from Avaya Stadium already, the San Jose Earthquakes are not the worst MLS road side of 2017. As of Sunday morning, three clubs remained winless as visitors, and four had taken a smaller percentage than the Quakes of road points on offer.

New York City FC back up "Bullbusters" tifo in New York Derby | MLSsoccer.com
The New York City FC faithful picked a Big Apple theme for Sunday's New York Derby against the Red Bulls – and then went out and backed up the boast with a 3-2 victory that kept New York blue (for now, at least).

MLS gaining international respect as soccer league sees growth around the globe | OregonLive.com
Since its inaugural season in 1996, the league has gained respect around the world and MLS continues to expand its footprint on the global soccer stage.

United States:

Werder Bremen looking to sell Aron Johannsson - Stars and Stripes FC
United States international Aron Johannsson has had a bit of a rough spell in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen. Since he joined the club in 2015, he’s only managed 15 appearances for the side. A hip injury derailed most of his first season and he found it difficult to break into the squad under new head coach Alexander Nouri last season.

World:

Philippe Coutinho tells Liverpool he wants to join Barcelona - sources - ESPN FC
Philippe Coutinho has told Liverpool he wants to leave and join Barcelona, sources close to the player have told ESPN Brasil. Sources close to Liverpool told ESPN FC earlier on Tuesday that Coutinho was not for sale, but ESPN Brasil's sources believe the English club may now have to accept an offer after the player spoke to Jurgen Klopp about his desire to leave.

Barcelona are being destroyed
It all started with a brilliant Brazilian and a transfer involving Paris Saint-Germain. Joan Laporta won the elections to take over as Barcelona president in 2003 and brought in Ronaldinho to spearhead an ambitious sporting project on the pitch.

The Most Dangerous Game: Theo, Hugo Sánchez and the path from Atlético to Real Madrid - Into the Calderon
Theo Hernández and Real Madrid broke the so-called "non-aggression" pact this summer, but it’s not the first time this path has been traversed.

Jose Mourinho confirms Gareth Bale a target for Man United if he's available - ESPN FC
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed he will pursue Gareth Bale in the remaining weeks of the transfer window if the Welshman is not Zinedine Zidane's plans at Real Madrid next season.

'Insulted' Virgil van Dijk submits transfer request to Southampton - ESPN FC
Virgil van Dijk has handed in a transfer request to Southampton, claiming he has been "insulted" by the Premier League club. The Dutch defender, 26, who joined the club from Celtic in 2015 and is a long-term transfer target for Liverpool, insists he is acting after having "numerous" discussions during the past six months about his wish to leave.