Portland
International Notebook: Thorns FC's Australians, Brazilians vie for major honors | Portland Timbers
Though the FIFA women’s international window officially closed last week, confederation championships in Asia and South America are ongoing, keeping three prominent Thorns FC players active beyond the NWSL.
USL MATCH PREVIEW | Portland Timbers 2 vs. Rio Grande Valley FC | April 18, 2018 - 7 PM PT | Portland Timbers
After beginning the 2018 USL regular season with fives games on the road, T2 plays host to Rio Grande Valley FC Toros on Wednesday, April 18, at Merlo Field in the club's home opening match. Beginning at 7 p.m. (Pacific), Wednesday's match will be streamed live on ESPN+. For more information on ESPN+, click here.
Major League Soccer
Stejskal: US national team striker Bobby Wood unlikely to make move to MLS | MLSsoccer.com
It’s unlikely that US national team striker Bobby Wood will move to MLS this summer, multiple sources told MLSsoccer.com on Tuesday. The Washington Post's Steve Goff reported on Monday that Wood was “exploring the possibility” of moving to MLS from Hamburg, who will likely be relegated from the Bundesliga at the end of the German season.
LAFC announce May friendly against Pulisic's Borussia Dortmund | MLSsoccer.com
LAFC will square off with US national team star Christian Pulisic's Borussia Dortmund side in a May 22 friendly at Banc of California Stadium, the clubs announced Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 10 pm ET (7 pm PT). Dortmund currently sits fourth in the Bundesliga with 51 points and a 14-9-7 record. They've won the German top division eight times -- most recently in 2012 -- and won the German Cup last year while also advancing to the UEFA Champions league quarterfinals.
With Kei Kamara injured, Vancouver Whitecaps counting on Anthony Blondell | MLSsoccer.com
Kamara suffered an adductor strain in the closing moments of training on Thursday, forcing him to miss Friday's match. After an MRI, it was revealed the veteran striker will be out for at least the next three matches, with the home clash against the Houston Dynamo on May 11 his targeted return.
Lee Nguyen trying to be positive as status with Revolution remains in limbo | MLSsoccer.com
The 31-year-old midfielder, who put up 11 goals and 15 assists last season, maintained that he hopes to move within MLS to another club. Nguyen confirmed he’s under contract through 2018 in New England with options for 2019 and 2020, and is also open to playing outside MLS.
Armchair Analyst: Toronto FC fall on their face in first leg vs. Chivas | MLSsoccer.com
The obvious comparison that sprang to mind in the immediate aftermath of Toronto FC's 2-1 home loss to Chivas in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions League final was the US national team's loss to Trinidad & Tobago back in October. The gap between the two teams wasn't that large, of course – the US should beat T&T 29 times out of 30, and TFC should obviously not be favored like that over Guadalajara.
Travel, injury, illness: CCL "grind" taking a toll on Altidore, Toronto FC | MLSsoccer.com
In the 23rd minute of Tuesday’s Concacaf Champions League first leg, Toronto FC had just clawed back level (through Jonathan Osorio) from Chivas Guadalajara’s shocking early away goal, only for Jozy Altidore to wander over the touchline for a sip of water and a quick chat with the bench.
Zlatan talks nicknames, his first goal, World Cup on Jimmy Kimmel Live | MLSsoccer.com
Zlatan Ibrahimovic made his first American late night talk show appearance Tuesday night on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the results were about what you'd expect. Coming on stage to a wild reception from the audience, the new LA Galaxy star talked about his vision for his MLS debut, potential new nicknames and of course his possible involvement at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
United States
Soccer Academy Reaches Across Border to Nurture Young Players - The New York Times
On a stormy Saturday, a group of young boys wearing red soccer uniforms and cleats in a dizzying array of colors clip-clopped out of the rain and into an old warehouse, where wealthy residents of this historic community along Raritan Bay once stored their antique cars.
What is the USMNT “A” roster? - Stars and Stripes FC
As the United States Men’s National Team looks forward to multiple friendlies over the next couple months, it is expected that American manager Dave Sarachan will bring more of a top roster to face off against teams like Bolivia, Ireland and France.
World
Mohamed Salah Kevin De Bruyne Harry Kane lead PFA Team of the Year
Kevin De Bruyne was among five players from Premier League champions Manchester City to be named to the PFA Premier League Team of the Year, with Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, the leading scorer, also among those honoured.
Inter Milan swapped shirt names for Instagram handles in their Serie A game against Cagliari - Independent.ie
The Serie A game between Champions League-chasers Inter and relegation-threatened Cagliari was dubbed #InterSocialNight, with the club website stating: “it’s set to be the first football match dedicated to all things digital and social media.”
Anthony Martial considers move to Juventus with Manchester United future in doubt | Sport | The Times
Anthony Martial is interested in a move to Juventus after the Italian club made the unsettled Manchester United forward their top transfer target. Juventus, the Serie A leaders, and Bayern Munich, the German champions, are set to go head to head in the race for Martial’s signature this summer.