Around the Forest: Paul Pogba dedicates semi-final win to Thai Soccer team

Portland

Inside PTFC | Portland Timbers' new status will require a mental evolution | Portland Timbers
It was there at the first half’s end against the San Jose Earthquakes, something we aren’t accustomed to seeing from the Portland Timbers this season. When it resurfaced in the final quarter-hour, the mood become undeniable.

Major League Soccer

Minnesota United sign striker Angelo Rodriguez as second Designated Player | MLSsoccer.com
Minnesota United FC have added another attacking piece to their roster, signing Colombian forward Angelo Rodriguez, the club announced Tuesday. He is the Loons second-ever Designated Player after fellow Colombian Darwin Quintero signed on March 31 after a transfer from Club America.

New Orlando City centerback Shane O'Neill eager to earn his place on the pitch | Pro Soccer USA
Shane O’Neill isn’t looking to just provide depth at centerback for Orlando City. Yes, the Lions certainly need depth at the position. Club captain Jonathan Spector, Lamine Sané, Chris Schuler and Amro Tarek have all suffered injuries at different points in the season.

Report: Marko Marin mulling offers from MLS | MLSsoccer.com
Is MLS in Marko Marin’s immediate future? The 29-year-old former German international is reportedly mulling offers from MLS after spending the last two seasons at Olympiacos in Greece.

Toronto FC's Vanney mum on Aketxe transfer rumors: "He's still on the team" | MLSsoccer.com
For Toronto FC, those costs have been mounting all season long. And reports that Ager Aketxe would be returning to Spain in the Secondary Transfer Window look to have the recent TAM acquisition become the second player to depart the club in recent weeks.

Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz status uncertain for Sunday | MLSsoccer.com
There are still some logistics to be ironed out for newly-signed Designated Player Raul Ruidiaz before he’s eligible for MLS play, with the 27-year-old striker currently back home in his native Peru going through the final steps of obtaining his work visa.

Can opening of Audi Field translate to on-field success for DC United? | MLSsoccer.com
While Monday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony at Audi Field represented the joyful end of many years of stadium uncertainty, D.C. United coach Ben Olsen knows Saturday’s opening match against Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8 pm ET | TSN — Full TV & Streaming info) must also be a new beginning.

Soccer: The transfer window is open and FC Dallas would like to make a purchase | SportsDay
It's July 10th, and that means the summer transfer window is now open for business. While it would seem utterly out of character and unlikely - through a level of admittedly shaky deductive reasoning - I believe FC Dallas will purchase a legit #9 striker and, maybe, in the process set a club transfer fee spend record.

World Cup

Soccer's concussion problem exposed once again in World Cup semifinal
Everybody remembers the image: Of Germany’s Christoph Kramer staggering off the field in the 2014 World Cup final, half-conscious, half-zombie-like. He was concussed – he’d later say he remembered nothing of his half-hour in the game – yet allowed to stay on, until he was physically unable to continue.

Could Belgium’s golden generation have already peaked?
First, you have to stop, stand back and appreciate what has been achieved. This Belgium team reached just its second World Cup semifinal ever, matching its deepest-ever run from 1986.

Could Mick Jagger 'jinx' derail England's World Cup hopes?
Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger was on hand for France’s World Cup semifinal triumph over Belgium on Tuesday. As cameras panned the crowd at Saint Petersburg Stadium, Sir Mick could be seen in the stands sporting a black cap and hoodie, accompanied by his sons, James, 32, and Lucas, 19.

Rescued Thai soccer players have to turn down World Cup invite under medical orders
The perilous plight of 12 Thai youth soccer players and their coach trapped in a flooded cave for more than two weeks concluded with smiles on Tuesday when divers pulled the last of five remaining team members from the darkness.

Paul Pogba dedicates France's World Cup semifinal win to Thai youth soccer team
France beat Belgium 1-0 in the World Cup semifinals on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, Russia, advancing to their first World Cup Final since 2006. But it wasn’t his teammates that French midfielder Paul Pogba was eager to dedicate the win to. It was the youth soccer team in Thailand that was rescued from a flooded cave on Tuesday..

World

Mexican club mocks Neymar with hilarious halftime contest (Video)
Brazil was eliminated by Belgium on Friday, but its star left a lasting impression on the tournament, and on the world. His legacy has crystallized in the form of the “Neymar Challenge,”