Around the Forest: Ronaldo becomes highest European International goal scorer

Portland

Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella authors wins, children's books | MLSsoccer.com
As part of day job, Jeff Attinella looks to put frowns on the faces of opposing forwards. But when the match is over, the Portland Timbers goalkeeper tries to put a smile on the face of his 20-month daughter, Remy Rose.

PTFC World Cup Daily | New week, new realities in balancing the game with work | Portland Timbers
This last weekend of blissful, fatigued, conflict-free World Cup watching may have given a false impression: That, aside from those early wakeups, Russia 2018 was going to be an easy lift, for us. Not true. At least, for most of us, that’s not true, and while a lot of people may have burned a sickday Friday to usher in the first full day of this summer's tournament, Monday arrived without such luxuries.

Major League Soccer

DC's Paul Arriola's shin guards protect — and serve a message of diversity | MLSsoccer.com
Created by D.C.-based artist Dez Customz and Kreative Custom Kicks, Arriola’s shin guards include the USA and Mexican flags — an homage to Paul’s diverse background — an image of a soccer globe with youth in a variety of colors representing the diversity found in the world’s game, and the MLS WORKS Soccer For All and D.C. United logos.

Ben Olsen on Jason Kreis departure: "He's been a big part of this league" | MLSsoccer.com
As strange as Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 fixture may feel for Orlando City SC's contingent without coach Jason Kreis, that absence will also be felt strongly in the opposing coach's box.

Stejskal: How Berhalter, Crew SC re-discovered Gyasi Zardes' star potential | MLSsoccer.com
After emerging with a 16-goal campaign in his second season as a pro in 2014, Zardes endured a difficult three years with the LA Galaxy. He had middling numbers in 2015, an injury-riddled 2016 and a downright miserable 2017, recording just two goals and two assists in 24 appearances and enduring the ignominy of an ill-conceived move to right back as LA limped to the worst finish in club history.

Orlando interim coach Bobby Murphy calls Jason Kreis firing "a surprise" | MLSsoccer.com
The firing of head coach Jason Kreis came as a surprise to the team, according to Orlando City SC interim coach Bobby Murphy. Kreis, who managed the Lions for almost two years, was let go on Friday during a six-game losing streak in league play.

Report: Venezuelan forward Jhon Murillo drawing interest from MLS team | MLSsoccer.com
Jhon Murillo appears to be back on Major League Soccer’s radar. A year after Columbus Crew SC reportedly made a big offer for the Venezuelan striker, Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that the 22-year-old’s most likely next destination is MLS.

Orlando City CEO Alex Leitao anticipates coaching hire next week | MLSsoccer.com
“I believe we’ll be able to announce a name next week,” Leitão said. “It’s great to know this club is a desirable club. We have interest from hundreds of people. They believe in the players we have. They believe in the fan base.”

US legend Walter Bahr handled fame with quiet calm, decades after iconic upset over England | MLSsoccer.com
The first, he got rid off right away when Gino Gardassanich, the team’s big and imposing backup goalkeeper, took the ball from Bahr and told him that he’d make sure nobody tried to steal it as fans rushed the field to celebrate. But the second thing Bahr has never been able to shake in the 64 years since he and an unlikely band of ragtag Americans shocked mighty England, 1-0, in a group-stage game at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil.

World Cup

Carlos Vela honors deceased grandfather after Mexico's historic win | MLSsoccer.com
When Mexico steps onto the field for their next World Cup game, Carlos Vela will be playing with a heavy heart. The Mexican striker and LAFC star shared on Instagram that his grandfather passed away after watching Mexico’s huge upset of defending World Cup champion Germany on Sunday.

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Europe's top scorer in internationals
Cristiano Ronaldo broke Ferenc Puskas' record for the most international goals by a European player with his winning goal for Portugal against Morocco in their 2018 World Cup group match on Wednesday.

Colombian singer Maluma has $800,000 in valuables stolen from Moscow hotel - reports
Colombian singer Maluma has had nearly $800,000 worth of valuables stolen from his hotel room in Moscow while he is in Russia to support his national team at the World Cup, according to reports in Russia.

Burger King Russia apologizes for offering women Whoppers for getting pregnant by World Cup players
Burger King Russia posted a promotion on social media Tuesday offering Russian women Whoppers and cash for getting pregnant by World Cup players.

Female reporter sexually assaulted during live World Cup broadcast in Russia
Colombian reporter Julieth Gonzalez Theran was standing in a city square in Saransk, Russia, late last week reporting on the World Cup for Deutsche Welle, a German news station.

Mexican soccer star with alleged ties to drug cartel wreaks havoc for World Cup sponsors
As the spotlight shines on Mexico in the run-up to its Saturday match with South Korea, so does it focus on team captain Rafael Márquez, who is wreaking havoc for sponsors thanks to his being blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury department for alleged ties to money laundering for a Mexican drug cartel.

Salah, Egypt all but out of the World Cup as Russians ride second-half blitz to victory
Mohamed Salah returned from a shoulder injury suffered in the Champions League final, but his second-half penalty was not enough to help Egypt avoid a 3-1 loss to host nation Russia.

World Cup: Senegal scores controversial goal vs. Poland
The last game of Matchday 1 at the 2018 World Cup offered up the most bizarre goal of the tournament thus far. And it was controversial, too. But it shouldn’t have been. Senegal doubled its lead vs. Poland midway through the second half when M’Baye Niang capitalized on Polish confusion, intercepted a back-pass and tapped the ball into an empty net:

United States

Preseason Battle Preview: Matt Miazga - Stars and Stripes FC
Welcome to part two of my summer preseason battle preview. A few weeks ago in part one, I previewed Antonee Robinson’s road to the first team at Everton. This week, we’re going to take a look at another American trying to make it in the Premier League – Matt Miazga.

World

Jack Wilshere confirms he will not return to Arsenal next season
Jack Wilshere has decided to leave Arsenal, ending a 17-year stint at his boyhood club after being told he wouldn't be a prominent part of Unai Emery's rebuilding process.

Christian Pulisic 'in a great place' at Borussia Dortmund - Bruce Arena
United States and Borussia Dortmund midfielder Christian Pulisic is at the perfect place for his development and shouldn't move to another club if similar playing time isn't on offer, former U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena says.

Rumours rated: Real Madrid favourites for Serbia ace Milinkovic-Savic; Liverpool linked with new goalkeeper
Despite the World Cup having started, the transfer rumour mill hasn't slowed down one bit. David Amoyal breaks down and rates some potential moves to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.