Around the Forest: Almiron, Vela and the new faces of MLS

Portland

Timbers injury report: Portland continuing to evaluate Jeff Attinella, Alvas Powell | OregonLive.com
The Portland Timbers are continuing to evaluate the severity of injuries to goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and defender Alvas Powell.

Major League Soccer

How Atlanta United can win the Supporters’ Shield - Dirty South Soccer
With three games left to play, we break down the scenarios.

Real Salt Lake’s transition from Javier Morales to Albert Rusnak - RSL Soapbox
Two years removed from a monumental decision, we are looking at the impact of replacing Javier Morales with Albert Rúsnak.

D.C. United’s Oniel Fisher to miss rest of season with knee injury - The Washington Post
The Jamaican right back has been a fixture in the starting lineup since May.

LA Galaxy gliding up the Week 30 MLS Power Rankings - LAG Confidential
Just keep winning

Crew SC | Milton Valenzuela, from Argentina, impresses at age 20 - Sports - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH
Watching Milton Valenzuela hold his ground and calmly poke the ball away in one-versus-one defending situations, race into the attack and make intelligent passes under pressure, it’s easy to forget a few details about him.

FC Cincinnati attendance mark - Cincinnati Business Courier
A record crowd poured into Nippert Stadium Saturday night to watch FC Cincinnati’s coronation as United Soccer League regular-season champs as well as what turned out to be the club’s 10th straight victory. Its full-season attendance ended up setting a record, too.

Martinez, Almiron, Vela: The new faces of MLS - YouTube

United States National Team

Alex Morgan: USWNT ‘can’t talk about the World Cup and France,’ it needs to focus on qualifying | FOX Sports
Alex Morgan breaks down the squads the USWNT will face in the group stage of World Cup qualifying.

USMNT Depth Chart Series: Right Backs - Stars and Stripes FC
We want to know who you think is the best.

Community Corner: What’s your favorite league to watch? - Stars and Stripes FC
Lots of soccer on these days...which one’s your favorite?

World Soccer

Alexis Sánchez embodies drift of a ghost ship of a sporting giant | Barney Ronay | Football | The Guardian
The Chilean forward is the latest scapegoat at Manchester United but the real problems come from the very top

Arsenal face nightmare travel schedule due to Europa League Premier League commitments
Arsenal face Qarabag in Baku on Thursday evening and then face a six-hour flight back to London ahead of their trip to Fulham on Sunday.

Manchester City taught 'best lesson' by Hoffenheim in UCL - Pep Guardiola
Manchester City's late 2-1 victory over Hoffenheim could be "the best lesson" for their pursuit of Champions League success, said Pep Guardiola.

The NBA Is Turning Into European Soccer - WSJ
NBA stars have the power to demand trades before their contracts expire. The madness of the soccer transfer market is making its way across the ocean.