Portland:
MLS Disciplinary Committee fines Diego Valeri, Cristian Martinez | MLSsoccer.com
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has issued fines to two players following Week 25 of the 2017 MLS regular season.
Portland's Darlington Nagbe takes Week 25 AT&T MLS Goal of the Week | MLSsoccer.com
Sometimes, it's Darlington Nagbe's world and we're just living in it. The Portland Timbers midfielder won Goal of the Week for Week 25, registering 53 percent of the vote for his deft spin and looping shot in a 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids during the midweek fixtures.
Major League Soccer:
Houston Dynamo turn stadium into hurricane relief hub - Howler Magazine
The devastation of Hurricane Harvey brings up questions of what sports teams that have benefited from public funding should do to return the favor to a community in need
Bleacher Report | Sports. Highlights. News. Now.
During New York City Football Club's first year as a franchise in 2015, David Villa drove himself to practice. The former star for Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and others would leave his Manhattan apartment, hop into his Bentley and navigate to NYCFC's training facility in suburban New Jersey. On some days, he'd make a pit stop before crossing the Hudson River to pick up teammate Mix Diskerud.
Arthur Blank to match fan donations up to $1 million for Hurricane Ha
To assist in the Houston area recovery effort, Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank will match up to $1 million for each fan donation made to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. The donations will be matched by Blank through The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and will go toward helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Kreis expects Dwyer to get on the board in "do or die" match for Orlando | MLSsoccer.com
Dom Dwyer has had four games to adjust his sights as a new member of Orlando City SC since his big-money trade from Kansas City at the end of July. Now, with the team’s playoffs hopes looking increasingly slim, head coach Jason Kreis expects the striker to start paying off that hefty transfer fee by scoring his first goal with Lions at New England on Saturday (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE).
FC Dallas "not happy" with his play, but keeping faith in Cristian Colman | MLSsoccer.com
At the start of the year, FC Dallas fought off teams from Liga MX, Brazil's Série A and the French Ligue 1 to secure a Designated Player they thought would help propel the team to MLS Cup. With just a third of the regular season remaining, that man – forward Cristian Colman – hasn’t provided much of a return on the club’s sizable investment. The 23-year-old Paraguayan has just two goals and one assist in 20 regular season appearances for FCD, only nine of which have been starts.
FC Dallas decline San Lorenzo's bids for Maxi Urruti, Michael Barrios | MLSsoccer.com
A source told MLSsoccer.com early on Thursday afternoon and FC Dallas owner Dan Hunt confirmed in an interview later in the day that the club declined transfer offers totaling $5 million from Argentine club San Lorenzo for both of the 26-year-old South American attackers.
Larson: Six lessons for all MLS clubs from Toronto's record-setting season | MLSsoccer.com
Toronto FC weren’t just bad five years ago. They were the “worst team in the world,” according to Danny Koevermans. “Name me one team in the whole world that is 0-9,” TFC’s Dutch striker famously responded, referring to TFC’s humiliating start to the 2012 season
Discuss: What would make 2017 Toronto FC the best in MLS history? | MLSsoccer.com
Welcome to another edition of "Discuss," in which MLSsoccer.com editors debate the topics of the moment in MLS. Our question this time: What more do Toronto FC need to do to be considered the best team in MLS history? Do they need to win MLS Cup? Or will a historic regular season, Supporters’ Shield and deep playoff run do it for you?
United States:
USMNT must avoid slip-ups, starting with World Cup qualifier vs. Costa Rica - The Washington Post
The U.S. men’s national soccer team needed nine months, a coaching change, a few roster adjustments and a harrowing match in Mexico to restore hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. And as the two-year exercise rounds the final turn, captain Michael Bradley said, “We’ve got to make sure we finish the job.”
Bruce Arena has U.S. back in World Cup contention - Washington Times
Bruce Arena hasn’t had much time to breathe since retaking the reins as U.S. national team coach in November. While he got a full four years to prepare the Americans for both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup tournaments, this cycle has presented the 65-year-old with more pressing responsibilities. Taking over for the fired Jurgen Klinsmann after back-to-back losses to open the final stage of qualifying, Arena grasped the task at hand: Promptly get the squad back on track or watch Russia 2018 from home.
U.S. soccer team's World Cup qualifier vs. Costa Rica brings new challenge from familiar foe
They have met in the Copa América Centenario. They have met in World Cup qualifying. They have met in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. You can even add a friendly match played in October 2015 to the list — in part because it also took place at Red Bull Arena, site of the World Cup qualifier at 6:55 p.m. Friday (ESPN and UniMas).
USA vs. Costa Rica, 2018 World Cup Qualifying: What to watch for - Stars and Stripes FC
It’s almost hard to believe that only five weeks ago, the United States were crowned as 2017 Gold Cup Champions over a spirited Jamaica in Santa Clara, California. Yet, just as we creep into the beginning of the club football season, this week’s international break comes at a crucial point for the Americans in their quest to play in Russia in 2018.
World:
Angry Vidal hints at Chile retirement - beIN SPORTS
Chile star Arturo Vidal appeared to hint at international retirement after his nation's shock loss to Paraguay in World Cup qualifying. Vidal scored a spectacular own goal as Chile slumped to a 3-0 loss in Santiago on Thursday, but they remained fourth in the CONMEBOL standings.
Agusti Benedito launches no-confidence vote against Barcelona board - ESPN FC
Former Barcelona presidential candidate Agusti Benedito said Josep Maria Bartomeu must resign as a matter of urgency after launching a vote of no confidence against the club's president and his board. Benedito, who ran to be the club's president in 2010 and 2015, officially requested the ballot papers from the club's offices at Camp Nou on Friday to get the motion underway.
Everton forward Wayne Rooney charged with drink driving - ESPN FC
Former England captain Wayne Rooney has been charged with drink driving, Cheshire Police said. The Everton striker, 31, was stopped in a black Volkswagen Beetle in Wilmslow, Cheshire, at 2 a.m. on Friday.
Coutinho transfer news: Neymar reveals Brazil star's 'anguish' as Liverpool refuse to sanction Barcelona deal | Goal.com
Philippe Coutinho is struggling to come to terms with the "sadness" of Liverpool refusing his transfer to Barcelona, according to Brazil team-mate Neymar. The Reds star was keen to move to Camp Nou, handing in a transfer request in August ahead of the Premier League season beginning in order to try and force the situation.
Furious Alexis Sanchez 'does not want to play for Arsenal' again as Man City promise cut-price January bid | Goal.com
Alexis Sanchez does not want to play for Arsenal again and Manchester City are already drawing up plans to sign the Chile international in January, Goal can reveal. Sources close to the player have indicated that Alexis had already made his feelings known to the Gunners before a £60 million deadline day move to City fell through.