Looks like we made it! Look how far we’ve come, my readers? We mighta took the long way, but these lyrics did scan someway. 😉

Anyway, on to the news!

How One Knoxville SC landed a historic matchup against an MLS opponent– Knox News

It’s largely behind a paywall, but One Knoxville is excited to take on MLS opposition in tonight’s Open Cup match, hosted at Audi Field. The game is set for 7:30 PM Eastern Time, and will be available to stream on Paramount+.

Here’s an article behind a paywall from SportsPro presumably detailing how Kim Stone, Chief Executive of The Washington Spirit, plans to build on the financial gains the club has seen in the last two years, and get into the proverbial black as far as operating costs go.

The link doesn’t work, but Loudoun United did sign two new players to its USL Two team, Osi Onwudiwe and defender Justin Melly, pending league and federal approval.

USWNT Takeaways: Experimental Lineup Proves Costly in Japan Defeat– Sports Illustrated

The USWNT lost 1-0 to Japan in the second of three friendlies scheduled this window. The series is now tied on points and results, and goal differential, as well, though that doesn’t carry any mechanical significance. I was pleased as punch when I heard that Claire Hutton would wear the captain’s armband for this one, but my next thought was- wait, who is playing that she could pull that? It was a talented assortment of players in attack, but coach Emma Hayes clearly took the opportunity to see a number of pieces in positions that probably didn’t suit them, and the lack of familiarity showed. Japan’s strike was pretty excellent, and the US found it too difficult to break through for an equalizer. I continue to wait to see Coffey and Hutton start at double pivot once more, and that’s the main thing I want from a USWNT game these days.

Lyon president Kang preparing bid to buy club- The Score

For those who haven’t followed this saga, suffice it to say, John Textor welcomed Michelle Kang to the ownership consortium of Lyon when it was financially in very hot water, and Kang proceeded to outmaneuver Textor and gain a stranglehold on the team’s operations. She’s now looking to officially buy the club with her ownership group, Ares. I say this with full respect and a little unease, Kang is the most Game of Thrones coded owner out there, and it isn’t close.

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker quits to take role in Saudi Arabia– ESPN

Good riddance, I mean, here’s a news item! In a move that one unnamed source within this piece described as exhibiting “weird timing,” US Sporting Director, Matt Crocker, has moved on to richer pastures. Those interested in reading a piece from The Guardian detailing his uneven tenure at US Soccer, here’s your stop. But yeah, good riddance.

3 Reasons Mascherano’s Inter Miami Resignation Feels Forced– Forbes

As many of our readers saw and noted yesterday, Javier Mascherano is no longer employed as head coach of Inter Miami, this after 7 games of the current season, and barely four months after the club won the MLS Cup Playoffs under his direction. Forbes doesn’t know the exact details behind this strange change, but notes 3 ways it is definitely weird.

MLS will have fewer US World Cup players than ever. Its impact is being felt anyway– The Guardian

Well said, Leander Schaerlaeckens.

Slot’s Isak gamble backfires as Liverpool trophy hopes end– BBC

Having watched this game, I don’t know if the title of the piece is fully justified- Liverpool are in bad shape for a host of reasons unrelated to the striker’s appearance, and PSG are magnificent across the pitch- but the reality is, Liverpool were unable to score and suffered a 2-0 loss at home against the Parisian giants. Now the defending EPL champions will have to turn to the task of cementing what few thought they would struggle to achieve- a place in the top five spots in the EPL that would ensure their participation in next season’s tournament.

Despite Yamal’s form, Atleti wash away Barça out of Champions League– ESPN

A wild game saw Atletico Madrid advance past Barcelona across the two leg quarterfinal, despite Barca pulling off the win in Madrid by a 2-1 score line, even with a second half red card. That was not enough to overturn a 2-0 deficit from the first leg at the Camp Nou, leaving the traveling Barca fans stricken. I have yet to fully appreciate the highlights of this game- tuned in only for the red card and the chaos of the final twenty minutes or so. There was, however, a second ball very noticeably on the pitch, about five yards from the midfield sideline, for that crucial last minute of stoppage time. Everyone was too focused and occupied to do anything about it, even the refs.

PSG and Atleti will learn of their semifinal opponents today after Bayern Munich hosts Real Madrid and Arsenal hosts Sporting, today at 3 PM Eastern on Paramount+.

Mexico president says FIFA rejected Iran request to move World Cup games– USA Today

And there you have it. FIFA are unable to logistically reconfigure venues to allow Iran to play its World Cup games in Mexico. And, having failed event logistics to make this experience safer for one of its tournament participants, I hope the federations that comprise global soccer abandon this morally vacuous and increasingly despotic organization.

Boston-based Rev’d Fitness coming to DC “with Indoor Cycling and new modality Powerhouse”– PoPville

Don’t know the author of this post, “Prince of Petworth,” or what their deal might be, and you may be wondering why on earth I am posting about a branch of this Boston fitness business opening in The Yards this fall. One of the owners of the business is named Kendra Simms. Still not registering significance? Well, what if I told you that she is the sister of Clyde Simms. Clyde Simms! Some will be nodding with recognition, but, for those puzzled, Clyde Simms was a Defensive Midfielder who made 182 appearances for DC United between 2005-2011 before finishing out his career with two seasons in NE, appearing 39 times for The Revs. So, there’s that.

That’s all I’ve got! One-up me in the comments, and have a great sporting day!