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Around the Forest: Matt Miazga Aims To Be USMNT Regular

Also: Defending Champs TFC in rare air, ATLUD’s Josef Martinez closing on MLS hattrick record, Gio Savarese hold his weekly presser, Dave Sarachan’s contract has been extended and more!

Portland

Giovanni Savarese's Weekly Press Conference | Mar. 20, 2018 | Portland Timbers
Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese talks with members of the media during his weekly press conference at Providence Park. The Timbers visit FC Dallas on Saturday, March 24, in a nationally televised match on UníMas.

Major League Soccer

Defending champs Toronto FC in rare company after winless MLS start | MLSsoccer.com
Defending MLS Cup champion Toronto FC are off to an 0-2 start in the league campaign after Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Montreal Impact. Those early struggles put the Reds in rare, but not unprecedented company.

On the pitch, NYCFC's Patrick Vieira got the better Revs' Brad Friedel | MLSsoccer.com
When the New England Revolution and New York City FC meet Saturday in Foxborough (1:30 pm ET; TV & streaming Info), it will be Brad Friedel and Patrick Vieira's first meeting as pro head coaches. Back in their playing days in England, results usually went Vieira's way.

Atlanta United FC's Josef Martinez closes in on MLS hat trick record | MLSsoccer.com
In a 4-1 win over Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday, the 24-year-old Venezuelan bagged his fourth career MLS hat trick and he’s now one away from a league record shared by Stern John of Columbus Crew SC, who did it in 55 games, and former standout Diego Serna, who played for five MLS teams, finishing with the Colorado Rapids, needed 124 games for his five hat tricks.

MLS Exports: Tim Ream, Jorge Villafana each riding 4-game winning streaks | MLSsoccer.com
It's time again for a monthly check-up on all the players scattered around the globe who got their start in Major League Soccer or a club academy. The injury bug has bitten a few alums, and a few others are being linked with moves, but nothing has stopped Tim Ream and Jorge Villafana from helping their respective clubs climb the table with hot streaks.

Colorado Rapids hope to get injured European stars back in lineup | Pro Soccer USA
The Colorado Rapids have played one game in the first three weeks of the regular season, but the bye weeks have been somewhat of a blessing in disguise as things continue to come together for new head coach Anthony Hudson.

Stejskal: Vancouver appeal Kendall Waston's red card | MLSsoccer.com
Waston was shown a straight red card in the 13th minute of Saturday’s match after his arm hit the head of Atlanta’s Leandro Gonzalez Pirez just inside the Vancouver penalty area during a set play. No foul was initially called, but referee Ismail Elfath showed Waston a straight red and awarded Atlanta a penalty kick after Video Review.

MLS Power Rankings: Seattle Sounders take big tumble in Week 3 | MLSsoccer.com
Only MLS league games will be reflected in the rankings. Rankings are voted on by MLSsoccer.com editorial staff; words by Alicia Rodriguez.

Orlando City holding mid Uri Rosell participates fully in training session
It took 49 days from the time Orlando City announced Uri Rosell would join the Lions, but Tuesday morning, the holding midfielder and 2013 MLS champion was finally a full participant in a training session.

Homegrown teen Chris Durkin ready to step up for shorthanded DC United | MLSsoccer.com
With Ulises Segura on international duty and Junior Moreno nursing a hamstring injury, D.C. United Homegrown Player Chris Durkin could make his first MLS start in Saturday’s trip to Columbus Crew SC (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE; on DAZN in Canada).

Both dos Santos brothers should return in time for Galaxy's LAFC showdown | MLSsoccer.com
LA Galaxy Insider Adam Serrano reported on Tuesday that the injury that canceled Jonathan dos Santos' Mexican national team call-up doesn't appear serious, though it will keep him out of action this weekend in Vancouver.

United States

Matt Miazga Aims to Become MNT Mainstay - U.S. Soccer
Dutch club Vitesse has played 34 competitive matches this season in the Eredivisie and Europa League combined. Defender Matt Miazga has appeared all but two of them. In his second season on loan in the Netherlands, Miazga has established himself as a stalwart in the starting lineup. Now in his sixth camp with the U.S. Men’s National Team, he hopes to similarly entrench himself on the American back line.

Dave Sarachan's USMNT contact extended through June | MLSsoccer.com
Dave Sarachan’s run as United States men’s national team interim coach is going to last a bit longer. The Washington Post reports that the U.S. Soccer Federation extended Sarachan’s contract, which would have run out at the end of the month, through the end of June.

World

FIFA urges Russia to hasten work on delayed World Cup arena – ProSoccerTalk
FIFA has urged Russia to speed up World Cup preparations at a stadium which needs “a huge amount of work” to be ready on time. With less than three months to go until the World Cup, the 45,000-seat Samara Arena is the only one of 12 stadiums which doesn’t yet have a pitch installed.

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann: Future will be decided before World Cup
Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann has told L'Equipe his future "will be decided before the World Cup." The France international wants to avoid a repeat of the uncertainty last summer that affected his start to this season.

Ronaldo's 2002 World Cup haircut deliberately distracted media from injuries
O Fenomeno turned in a man-of-the-match performance in Brazil's 2-0 win over Germany -- he last time the Selecao lifted the World Cup -- scoring both goals in a dominant display that cemented the striker as one of the greatest players of all time.