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Around the Forest: Thor Attends Vancouver versus LA Galaxy

Also: Savarese stands by his decision, T2 pick up points, Wondo throws shade at Zlatan, Erik Palmer-Brown ready to take the next step and more!

Portland

Savarese on leaving Liam Ridgewell out: "We needed to change something" | MLSsoccer.com
While the Timbers conceded on the day, the defensive effort was improved at a venue that has traditionally proven tricky for them, even with captain Liam Ridgewell staying back in Portland for the match and Bill Tuiloma making his MLS debut in the Englishman's place.

T2 Pick up their first three points of the season, here are the highlights.

Major League Soccer

After losing late lead, Rapids see positives and plenty to work on | MLSsoccer.com
Saturday night started on buoyant note for the Colorado Rapids. By the end of the evening, the mood had shifted entirely, as the Rapids saw their early 2-0 lead evaporate, a collapse marked by a late equalizer in a 2-2 draw vs. Sporting Kansas City.

Chris Wondolowski throws shade on Zlatan Ibrahimovic's signing | MLSsoccer.com
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made a worldwide splash when announcing his arrival with the LA Galaxy, including a tweet that featured him arm-wrestling the devil, another where he faces off with a lion and a full-page advertisement in the LA Times that simply said: “Dear Los Angeles, you’re welcome.”

More questions than answers, but LA Galaxy pumped for Zlatan's arrival | MLSsoccer.com
Friday's announcement of the signing of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was followed by a goalless draw by a vastly undermanned Galaxy squad against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. All that comes before a first-ever derby match against LAFC Saturday (3 pm ET | FOX)

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi keeps scoring, and New York City FC stay unbeaten | MLSsoccer.com
The Libyan winger, signed this past offseason from Austria Wien, bagged a brace for NYCFC at the New England Revolution, salvaging a 2-2 draw and 3-0-1 start to the 2018 season. All that came after the 23-year-old scored in last week’s 2-0 home win over Orlando City SC, an eye-opener in Patrick Vieira’s high-press system.

Report: Red Bulls showing interest in Manchester United's Olosunde | MLSsoccer.com
The former RBNY Academy standout, who is on Manchester United’s books but yet to play with the first team, might be interested in a loan deal, according to Kristian Dyer on his Red Bulls Insider segment on MSG Network Saturday night.

Thor in attendance for Vancouver Whitecaps FC draw with LA Galaxy | MLSsoccer.com
Vancouver Whitecaps FC might not have been able to drop the hammer on a depleted LA Galaxy side, settling for a scoreless draw, but in attendance at BC Place Saturday night was Australian actor Chris Hemsworth who plays Thor in the Marvel superhero movies.

NYCFC Homegrown Joe Scally caps whirlwind week with win over Real Madrid | MLSsoccer.com
Scally was part of the NYCFC squad that defeated the Spanish giants Real Madrid at the 2018 Generation adidas Cup. NYCFC beat Madrid 1-0 behind a second-half goal from David Alino, keeping their hopes alive for a Champions Division title.

Watch every goal from Week 4 of the 2018 MLS season | All Goals | MLSsoccer.com
There were only six matches played in Week 4 due to the FIFA international window, but that slate still produced a whopping 17 goals. Watch every one of them here, beginning with a beauty from New England's Diego Fagundez and ending with a thrilling, late equalizer scored by Sporting Kansas City that featured a build-up that was just as spectacular as the finish.

ASN article: The ASN MLS Minutes Matrix: Week 4
WITH THE FIFA INTERNATIONAL window open, it was a lighter weekend in MLS with only six games taking place. What was interesting is how some teams like the Red Bull and Columbus had shorthanded rosters but still came away with nice wins.

United States

USA vs. Paraguay, 2018 friendly: What to watch for - Stars and Stripes FC
The United States will take the field tomorrow in Cary, North Carolina to take on Paraguay in their only friendly match during the March international window. A young squad has been training under American manager Dave Sarachan for the opportunity to test themselves against a South American nation who didn’t make the World Cup but still has a strong squad

Fanpost of the Week: 20 under 20: U.S. Soccer players not named Christian Pulisic to get excited about - Stars and Stripes FC
American soccer fans know all about Christian Pulisic, the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund winger who was named 2017 U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year after having a hand in ten goals in nine matches with the national team last year.

Erik Palmer-Brown ready to take next step with U.S. national team | MLSsoccer.com
Of the five first-time call-ups into the US national team camp currently training in North Carolina, Palmer-Brown seemed the most inevitable. He’s one of only 12 U.S. players ever named to two FIFA U-20 World Cup rosters. Palmer-Brown earned the Golden Ball award as the best player in the 2017 Concacaf U-20 Championship, and he was the team captain of a U.S. U-20 World Cup squad that advanced to the quarterfinals last June.

World

Liverpool have no interest in Timo Werner and won't sign another striker this summer - Liverpool Echo
Reports in Germany claimed that the Reds were looking to clinch a club record £90million deal for the highly-rated frontman, who has netted 18 goals for the Bundesliga outfit so far this season. However, the ECHO understands that the 22-year-old Germany international doesn't feature on Klopp's wish-list.

Mino Raiola Pep Guardiola is a cowardly dog and 'zero' as a person
Super-agent Mino Raiola has launched a blistering verbal attack on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, telling Dutch magazine Quote last week that he can never forgive him for his treatment of Zlatan Ibrahimovic while at Barcelona.

Mexico disappointed with Croatia's decision to send Luka Modric home
Croatia announced on Saturday that six key players -- Luka Modric, Mario Mandzukic, Ivan Perisic, Marcelo Brozovic, Danijel Subasic and Nikola Kalinic -- would be returning to Europe after Friday's 2-0 loss to Peru in Miami, severely weakening the squad that will play Mexico.