Royal Roundup March 31, 2017

RSL

• Brooks Lennon and Sebastian Saucedo seizing the opportunity to impress.
• Did everyone get a chance to see the news about RSL’s new coach? If not - why haven’t you been reading the Soapbox? However don’t expect to see him on the sideline this Saturday vs Minnesota. Can Mike Petke help RSL repair it’s image?
• MUFC vs RSL match guide by MLS.
• John Stertzer has landed a position with NYCFC.

MLS

• Satire files - Chicago fans arrested for shouting FIRE at airport.
• Quite a few European team scouts are in Dallas ahead of the CCL match vs Pachuca.
• Injury reports - in addition to LAG’s Lletget, Atlanta’s Joseph Martinez is out with a quad injury, and Montreal’s Ignacio Piatti is out with a groin injury.
• MLS is once again the most diverse league in North America.

USA

• A positive result for the USMNT as Honduras and Costa Rica tie, and 3 takeaways from the US-Panama game.
• Is it time for the USMNT to move on from Jermaine Jones?
• Winners and Losers from the FIFA window.
• USL is doubling down on keeping Division 2 rating, and PRO/REL fans will have something new to talk about.

International

• Wayne Rooney warned that playing in MLS would not be “easy money”.
• World Cup Qualifying Update - Asian and Oceana teams make progress.
• Video Assistant Referee came into play during friendly between France and Spain.
• FIFA has announced the proposed confederation allocations for the 48-team 2026 World Cup.
• Sepp Blatter reportedly told Michel Platini that he’d be “his last scalp”.

Video

In a facepalm moment, a reporter asked newly arrived Bastian Schweinsteiger if the Fire can win the World Cup.

Here’s the Mike Petke interview on becoming coach (longer version).