We are now 56 days since MLS took over the sale of the team, and still not a single rumor to report. Times like this can really test a fan’s patience, but at least social media has photos of players practicing to review.

INTERNATIONAL

• Italian side Juventus exercised the $ 22 million loan buyout option for Weston McKennie from Bundesliga Schalke. [USSOC]
• England, the United States, Japan, the Netherlands and Portugal have all agreed to test FIFA’s new concussion protocol. It allows teams to have a “free” replacement in addition to the normal authorized, for a player likely to have a concussion. [Guardian]
• Game congestion for European teams is likely to remain. [TSF]
• Manchester United could do without their guardian David de Gea for a month for personal reasons. [Guardian]

United States

• The dates and locations for the 2021 US Soccer C license courses have been announced. One of them is in Utah for those interested. [SocWire] A map. [USSOC]
• 150 youth teams participated in the Desert Conference event in Phoenix last weekend. Many Utah teams have dominated their age groups. [SocWire]
• Project the USMNT Olympic roster (all RSL players get the green light, as well as Soto & Saucedo). [SBI]

MLS /NWSL/ USL

• Spokane, Washington has approved an agreement with USL for a new 5,000-seat stadium to accommodate a future USL-1 expansion team. [USL]
• MLS, issued a joint statement with the MLB, NBA, NHL, NFL and WNBA regarding a cardiology study involving players who had tested positive for COVID-19. [MLS]
• Angel City FC in NWSL has signed a new sleeve partner for their kits. Birds ; a shoe brand founded by women and aimed directly at consumers. [NWSL]
• MLS Next, the youth development arm of the league, has announced the addition of five additional clubs for the 2021-22 season. [MLS]
• Chicago fire reached out to fans for his new ridge overhaul and narrowed it down to 4 potential themes. [MLS]
• Fredy Montero, top scorer of Seattle Sounders is back to the game. [MLS]

BACK BACK

• As Real salt lake continued her celebrated run to the CCL final, we asked “Is all the attention too much of a good thing?” [3/7/11]
• On that date, MLS and US Soccer founded the Professional Referee Organization (PRO) to improve the quality of officiating. [3/6/12]
• An injury to Chris Schuler would prevent him from playing the first game of the season, Carlos Salcedo is tipped to replace him. With hindsight, we know how these two players have evolved. [3/5/14]
• The season opener for RSL was a 0-0 draw against Portland Wood. [3/7/15]
• The season opener got off to a good start for RSL but fell apart late conceding twice in a 2-2 draw against City of Orlando. [3/6/16]

VIDEO

An aerial snapshot of each MLS stadium for 2021.