Royal Roundup: Weston McKennie has quietly become one of the top US players in Europe

Can winter be over yet? We’re ready to watch some Soccer!

If you missed it on Thursday, the She Believes Cup kicked off play with Brazil beating Argentina in the first match, and US beat Canada in the second. The 2nd round matches continue on Sunday with USWNT facing Brazil at 1 PM on FS1.

INTERNATIONAL

• English Championship side Bournemouth is courting Thierry Henry in their search for a new head coach. His contract with CF Montreal (formerly Impact) runs through the end of 2021. [TheScore]
• An English League 2 referee has been removed from his next match for improper conduct. [Guardian] Here was the initial incident that led to the decision. [Guardian]
• The full Concacaf Champions League upcoming schedule has been released [MLS]
• A 23 year old French billionaire has bought England’s Sunderland AFC, currently in League 1. [Balls]
• In yet another unfortunate effect of Brexit, the English Professional Footballers Association has had to cancel subsidizing players wanting to take sports management courses. The degree is taught in Denmark, but due to new rules UK players must pay €10,000 to complete the course. [Guardian]
• A documentary on legendary Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson will premier on Amazon Prime in May. [Balls]

USA

• Don’t look now, but Weston Mckennie has quietly become one of the best American players in Europe. [Benchkings]
• Former US International Tony Sanneh talked about the importance of diversity in a new interview. [USSP]
• USA placed in the top 10 for both total players moving and transfer revenue during the latest FIFA window. [MLS]
• Christian Pulisic’s role at Chelsea is starting to raise some concern as he has only played 84 minutes over the last 5 games. [NBC]
• Mike Renshaw, former USMNT and NASL player with the Dallas Tornadoes has died at age 72. [FRS]
• Crystal Dunn is apparently not happy with her continuing role in the defensive line of the USWNT. [Goal]

Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images

MLS / USL / NWSL

• Phoenix Rising has made good progress on it’s new stadium and training grounds in the 2 months since the location was announced. Grass fields have been laid down to bed in while the stadium construction preparations start around it. [USL]
• The Washington Spirit get a new investment group including the daughters of two former presidents. [WaPo]
• NWSL 2022 expansion team Angel City FC has already lined up Door Dash as their jersey sponsor. [NWSL]
• CF Montreal has unveiled their new jersey, to accompany their new identity. [MLS]

RSL/UTAH

• Douglas Martinez has been called up to the Honduras U-23 National Team as they prepare for Olympic qualifying. [RSL]

FLASHBACK

• Real Salt Lake lost 2-1 in it’s first preseason match of the year vs Vancouver. [2/21/10]
• Some notes from a preseason practice session 9 years ago. [2/20/12]
• RSL’s Luis Gil scored a PK for the U-20 USMNT in their 2-1 win over Haiti. [2/19/13]
• Remember Devon Sandoval? He signed his first professional contract with RSL on this date. [2/19/13]
• It was announced on this date that MLS had taken over Chivas USA. [2/21/14]
• RSL beat New England in their first preseason match of the year. [2/18/15]
• RSL hoping that Team is the Star mentality translates to CCL success. [2/19/16]
• RSL’s Brooks Lennon scored a hat trick for the U-20 USMNT in a 4-1 win over Haiti. [2/21/17]
• The Utah Royals FC players go their first look at their new locker room. We all hope they’ll return to it in 2 years! [2/19/18]

VIDEO

Many members of the RSL team once again visited Glendale Elementary to pass out meal kits for students and their families.