Around the Forest: LA Galaxy boss Sigi Schmid steps down

Portland

Inside PTFC | Why Thorns FC's dominance shouldn't placate Portland's worry about Seattle | Portland Timbers

Major League Soccer

LA Galaxy manager Sigi Schmid steps down - LAG Confidential
Dom Kinnear takes over on an interim basis

MLS's Philadelphia Union Introduce Snake Mascot Phang
In their ninth MLS season, the Philadelphia Union finally (finally) have a mascot. It seems like mere days ago he was a giant egg at the Philadelphia Zoo, which at least indicated that he was not a mammal, or was at least a monotreme. Today, we all got the big news:

Wayne Rooney And Audi Field Provide D.C. United With A Decided Advantage In MLS Playoff Race
Like a game of two halves, D.C. United has undergone a season of contrasting fortunes. The first 12 games brought just 11 points. But in July, Wayne Rooney signed and Audi Field was opened. Both have been key to turning D.C. United's season around and the team is now fighting for a playoff spot.

Can Justen Glad, Danilo Acosta, Brooks Lennon, Aaron Herrera or Sebastian Saucedo make it to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics? - RSL Soapbox
Will the US, and RSL, be represented in the chase for the next Olympic gold medal in soccer?

WATCH: Helicopter Drops $5,000 In Cash On LA Galaxy Fans « CBS Los Angeles
Sometimes it pays to be a fan of the LA Galaxy's reserve club - or at least it did this weekend.

David Villa and James Sands make MLS Team of the Week - Hudson River Blue
Villa returns to prominence while the Sandman makes a stellar first impression

LAFC using bye week to reinforce ideas, hone skills – Orange County Register

United States

Paul Arriola released from USMNT, rejoins D.C. United for Wednesday’s match - The Washington Post
Winger will bolster shorthanded playoff contender against Minnesota at Audi Field.

What is the CONCACAF Nations League - and how could it help the USMNT? [Video]
FC Yahoo's Ryan Bailey breaks down how the latest league in international soccer can help the U.S. Men's National Team in its quest to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.

DeAndre Yedlin had some quality Neymar banter - Sounder At Heart
USMNT full back to referee: "Did you watch the World Cup?"

USL D3

How Orlando City B Will Be Different From Past Incarnations - The Mane Land
OCB is returning in 2019 but will have a different look than in previous seasons.

FIFA 19

Vote for the MLS FIFA 19 custom cover | MLSsoccer.com

World Soccer

France's World Cup Celebration Party Was Wonderfully Joyous
Yesterday, France beat the Netherlands in a fairly meaningless international match. While the match itself didn’t matter, it did have the distinction of being the first time the French national team had returned to their home stadium since this summer’s glorious World Cup victory. To commemorate the occasion, the team threw a huge, fantastic party.

Liverpool's Champions League clash against Napoli under threat of venue switch - Liverpool Echo
Serie A side's owner ready to play next month's clash on opposite side of Italy

Uefa set to introduce third European club competition from 2021-22 | Football | The Guardian
Uefa is set to launch a third European club competition from the start of the 2021-22 season, European Club Association president Andrea Agnelli has confirmed

Paul Pogba has finally proved Manchester United great Sir Alex Ferguson right - Samuel Luckhurst - Manchester Evening News
Man Utd player Paul Pogba has finally proved Sir Alex Ferguson right after the Old Trafford great was initially wrong about the France international.

VIDEO: Shaw and Rashford combine to open scoring for England - The Busby Babe
England’s opening goal against Spain was made in Manchester