Royal Roundup - Nov. 17, 2017

Utah welcomes the NWSL!

RSL

• The official announcement from (RSL).
• Will Utah soccer fans show up for a women’s team? (SLTrib)
• RSL “swinging for the fences” in NWSL launch. (NWSL)
• Passion for soccer drives NWSL dream. (RSL)
• Analysis of what the new NWSL team means for the league. (FFT)

MLS

• Clint Dempsey voted comeback player of 2017 after heart trouble. (MLS) He will return to Seattle Sounders for 1 more year after contract deal. (ESPN)
• Red card appeal for Jozy Altidore is denied. He will miss Leg 1 of Eastern Championship. (MLS)
• Atlanta United players win both GOTY and SOTY. (USSP)
• Columbus city officials met with Garber and Precourt hoping to reach a deal to save the Crew. (PST) ...“parties have reached a stalemate”. (FFT)
• Montreal Impact announce roster moves. (MI)
• Tim Melia wins GK of the year. (PST)
• Coach Caleb Porter and Portland Timbers part ways after “disagreement”. (FFT)

Other US Leagues

• As NASL season ends, clubs must decide their next steps. (Midfield) League champs SF Deltas confirm they will close. (Mercury) While the reigning champs North Carolina FC make the jump to (USL).
• USL announce expansion to Memphis. (PST)
• USL’s Rochester Rhino’s need $1.3 million by end of Nov. to survive. (PST)
• OKC Energy FC’s coach Jimmy Nelson steps down after 3 years. (USL)
• FC Kansas City will not return to NWSL for 2018. (KC)

USA

• Current depth chart for the USMNT. (MLS)

World

• South American witness in FIFA corruption trial relates seeing bribes to vote for Qatar in 2022 World Cup. (SA)
• Media allegedly paid $15 million bribe to FIFA for broadcasting rights. (SLTrib)
• CONCACAF is starting a League of Nations tournament. (CONCACAF)
• New Zealand complains about fan dirty tricks in qualification match vs Peru. (WP)
• Final pots for World Cup ‘18 draw. (Balls)
• FIFA rankings ‘loophole’ to disappear after WC’18. (Reuters)

Video

• Full press conference announcing NWSL to Utah.

• Craig Weibel comments on the new team.