Portland
Savarese calls Timbers' emphatic win over NYCFC "a very important step" | MLSsoccer.com
Since returning to the Rose City, however, the Timbers have won two in a row – and their coach believes they’re heading in the right direction, as underlined by Sunday’s impressive defeat of league leaders New York City FC.
Major League Soccer
Garde calls on Montreal Impact to show "pride," "fight" amid losing skid | MLSsoccer.com
Seven games into the Remi Garde era, the Montreal Impact find themselves averaging less than a point per game, on a three-game losing streak – suffering two early red cards in those three matches – and tied for the most goals conceded in the league.
Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer explains decision to not start Dempsey | MLSsoccer.com
After he missed his team’s last two matches due to a red-card suspension, the Seattle Sounders’ home tilt against Minnesota United on Sunday seemed like a logical opportunity for star forward Clint Dempsey to jump right back into the starting XI.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic critical of the LA Galaxy's first-half performance | MLSsoccer.com
Saturday night was not a fun one for the LA Galaxy, as they dropped their second-straight match at home. Atlanta United beat LA 2-0 to disappoint the home crowd in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first home start. Ibrahimovic was interviewed by Spectrum SportsNet sideline reporter Megan Reza after the match and the Swedish superstar did not hold back.
Vieira declines to discuss Arsenal rumors after NYCFC's first loss of 2018 | MLSsoccer.com
“Today we played against a team who prepared the game well, who were well-organized,” NYCFC head coach Patrick Vieira said after his team's 3-0 setback. “We had the possession, but it was difficult for us to find the space. They made it real difficult for us and they score the goals in the period where it was difficult for us. All the credit to Portland.”
Armchair Analyst: Sounders find their range, RSL roll & more from Week 8 | MLSsoccer.com
No intro this week, just a note that we are just about peeking at the quarter pole. As of this weekend 76 of the MLS season's 391 games have been played, which puts us at about 19.5 percent. Obviously it's skewed a little bit by some teams having played more and others (mostly the Concacaf Champions League teams) having played less, so not everybody's quite in the same ballpark.
Red cards, golden gloves and bad houseguests: What you missed in MLS Week 8 | MLSsoccer.com
Fifty days after the 2018 MLS season kicked off, the number of undefeated sides dwindled to just one on Sunday. The Portland Timbers knocked off league leaders New York City FC – who are now 5-1-2 – 3-0 at Providence Park, and it was a noteworthy result for both sides.
Pool parties, secret rooms, local culture: 10 Things About LAFC's new home | MLSsoccer.com
When expansion side LAFC announced in May 2015 that they’d selected a site for their new stadium, they had no coach, players, colors or even a crest. This was a time before their black and gold snapback became one of MLS’s most-lauded accessory.
Mr. Sporting: Matt Besler enters KC lore with record-breaking longevity | MLSsoccer.com
The Sporting KC captain’s start in Friday night's 6-0 mauling of the Vancouver Whitecaps was his 228th career start in the club’s colors, drawing him level with assistant coach and former midfielder Kerry Zavagnin in the club’s record book for most regular-season starts. And in the 55th minute, Besler moved past Zavagnin for the most regular-season minutes played, further cementing his status among the club’s legends.
NWSL
Orlando Pride concerned about lowest attendance mark in club history set during Sunday win | Pro Soccer USA
A night after Orlando City announced a sellout crowd for a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes, the Orlando Pride earned their first victory of the season in front of an all-time low crowd. A mere 3,890 fans came out for the Pride’s second home match of the season. That’s nearly 400 fans fewer than the previous all-time low of 4,273, set Aug. 8, 2017.
Cami Privett, Houston Dash offer youth players opportunity to 'Train like a Pro' | Pro Soccer USA
When Cami Privett began to take soccer seriously, she knew if she was going to reach a highly competitive level she had to train year-round. That meant seeking coaches to train with when her club season ended.
United States
An Updated Expected Passing Model — American Soccer Analysis
In the offseason we upgraded our passing model, and its outputs are now featured in our xPassing tables (both interactive and static). After a few minor tweaks this week, now is as good a time as any to explain how it works.
Americans at home: Cristian Roldan shines in a goal filled weekend - Stars and Stripes FC
There was a theme in MLS over the weekend: Goals. Lots and lots of goals. If you like goals, you probably enjoyed watching the domestic league. While MLS was saving the Earth with recycled plastic jerseys, I guess, goalkeepers were busy picking the ball out of the onion bag to the tune of 46 goals - and DC United even had a bye week!
World
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's World Cup hopes rest on call to Sweden coach
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been told he must pick up the phone and call Sweden coach Janne Andersson if he has any chance of being at the World Cup this summer. Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Euro 2016. But he has dropped regular hints in recent months that he would like to return for the World Cup.
Salah for €42m & the 15 most undervalued players in history | Goal.com
Roma have long since realised they undercharged Liverpool for the Egyptian ace. Here, Goal looks back at other players who were sold on the cheap. Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah was named PFA Player of the Year on Sunday, after a remarkable debut season at Anfield in which he has already racked up an incredible 41 goals in all competitions.
Juventus team in transition fighting for Italian soccer supremacy - Wright Thompson
On the night before Juventus played an insurgent Napoli with a seventh straight Italian title at stake, a group of old men sat in the back room of Ristorante da Angelino and laughed. The sound carried into the next room, the joy almost contagious because nobody appreciates a Saturday night like someone who knows his Saturdays are running out.