Around the Forest: Jesse Marsch leaves New York Red Bulls

Portland

Inside PTFC | Breaking down the remaining schedule for Thorns FC (and the NWSL's other playoff hopefuls) | Portland Timbers
The two things most likely to determine whether Portland Thorns FC will retain their NWSL title are how well they are playing two months from now and how that level compares to the currently league-leading North Carolina Courage.

Major League Soccer

Jesse Marsch departs New York Red Bulls, Chris Armas named head coach | MLSsoccer.com
“We are fully supportive of Jesse and his decision to pursue a new opportunity,” said Red Bulls sporting director Denis Hamlett. “Jesse played a large role in establishing our club identity, but the culture here is the result of the dedication and hard work of many. We are confident in Chris Armas. We know Chris and the coaching staff will have our team ready to compete each week, and they will continue to find ways to improve and work towards our ultimate goal of winning MLS Cup.”

FC Dallas sign Brazilian defender Marquinhos Pedroso | MLSsoccer.com
The 24-year-old has experience around the world, getting his start in his home country at Figueirense, then in the Brazilian top flight, in 2012, and playing on loan at fellow Brazilian sides Guarani (2013) and Gremio (2014).

Stejskal: FC Dallas "actively" searching for Mauro Diaz replacement | MLSsoccer.com
Dallas transferred Diaz, who joined Dallas in 2013 and recorded 23 goals and 44 assists in 109 regular season appearances with the club, to Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai FC of the UAE Arabian Gulf League on Tuesday. Though he only appeared in 12 games this season, the 27-year-old playmaker was an integral part of FCD’s solid start, recording two goals and eight assists – tied for second in the league – before his transfer.

Galaxy aim to fix what ails them after latest draw: "We're not in control" | MLSsoccer.com
The LA Galaxy let another two-goal lead slip away Wednesday night, this time at home against Major League Soccer's bottom side, and again missed a chance to leap into the top six in the Western Conference.

Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Tyler Deric reinstated following suspension | MLSsoccer.com
Deric was suspended by the league on November 1, 2017 in connection with his arrest and charge of misdemeanor assault in connection with an alleged domestic incident. To date, he has been suspended from 19 MLS matches.

Rumor: Red Bulls' Carlos Rivas set for loan move in Colombia? | MLSsoccer.com
After making a move within MLS ahead of the current season, could Carlos Rivas be next on the move outside of the league? It could happen, according to a report out of Colombia on Wednesday, which claimed the New York Red Bulls attacker is set to move to Colombian powerhouse Atletico Nacional on a one-year loan, with a subsequent option to buy.

Houston Dynamo sign young Venezuelan forward Ronaldo Pena on full transfer | MLSsoccer.com
In their first move of the summer transfer window the Houston Dynamo have added the club's newest young attacker – 21-year-old Ronaldo Peña – to what is already a young and dynamic forward corps in Houston.

World Cup

Watch: France goalkeeper has bug fly into his mouth during World Cup match
Hugo Lloris has enough problems. He’s a great goalkeeper, but his French side is expected to contend for the World Cup title, and he’s tasked with supporting a back line that’s talented but clearly the weakest link of the team.

Man follows through on tattoo he said he'd get if England made World Cup quarterfinals
When the England World Cup roster was announced in May, an England supporter said he would get the names of every player on the roster tattooed on himself if England made the quarterfinals.

Harry Kane sends inspirational World Cup message to a young cancer patient
A five-year-old boy battling a brain tumor has seen his World Cup dreams come true. Ben Williams is a massive England fan who just finished six weeks of radiation, and to celebrate, the staff of Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, England gave Ben his own special World Cup for bravery.

Maradona apologizes for accusing officials of match fixing
A day after ripping the referees in the controversial England-Colombia World Cup match, Argentinian soccer legend Diego Maradona apologized for his comments. Maradona posted his apology on social media.

This hilarious KFC soccer commercial looks exactly like Neymar's flopping
Much has been made of Neymar’s flopping during this World Cup. Brazil’s superstar has spent plenty of time on the ground writhing in agony — some warranted and some very much not. And his antics look a lot like a KFC South Africa commercial that was released upon the start of this year’s tournament.