Royal Roundup: Barcelona stadium and training facility raided by police

Players are back, and preseason has started - at least if several player’s social media posts are to be believed... They look happy to be back in action too!

INTERNATIONAL

• Zlatan Ibrahimovic sparked a social media feud last week with NBA’s LeBron James. [Goal] Zlatan’s latest will once again spark ire from many players. [Guardian]

• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has pledged up to £2.8m towards a potential joint bid for the UK and Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup. [Guardian]
• Spanish police raided the Barcelona stadium and training grounds on Monday. Former president Josep Maria Bartomeu has been detained, documents have been seized pending investigation. [USAT/AP]
• A group of US investors (including Phoenix Rising owners) is finalizing a deal to buy Ipswich Town in England’s League 1. [Guardian]
• A prime example of why you shouldn’t always take transfer rumors at face value. Years ago Irish club Rangers reportedly made a bid for Ronaldo! [Balls]
• An obscure startup has put in a surprising $60 million bid to air Australia's Champions League games. [Guardian]

USA

• US International Josh Sargent scored the winning goal for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. It was his 3rd of the season for the Bundesliga side. Also news of other US players in Europe. [USSOC]
• The 50 players called up for the US U-23 men’s camp has been cut to 31 in preparation for Olympic Qualifying. 6 current or former RSL players and academy grads made the list. [SBI] Atlanta United has declined to release it’s players, U-23 coach Jason Kreis was asked about it in a recent press conference. [SBI]
• After the US previous failures at Olympic Qualifying, coach Jason Kreis sees this as a big opportunity. [FRS]
• Speculation has started on who makes the USWNT Olympic roster. [Goal]

MLS/USL/NWSL

• Five USL coaches have graduated from US Soccer Federation’s 2020 Pro Coaching Licence courses. [USL]
• The MLS Designated Player Rule has become a two-edged sword, and has strayed somewhat from it’s original intent. [USSP]
• USL Championship has announced a realignment for teams, there will be two Conferences each divided into two Divisions. Real Monarchs will compete in the Mountain Division of the Western Conference. [USLC]
• Los Angeles FC and youth club Real So Cal Soccer Club have announced a partnership to extend LAFC’s coverage to include over 4,000 youth players. [SocWire][MLS]
• NWSL’s Chicago Red Stars announced a new ownership group. [AFXI][NWSL]
• Sky Blue’s goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan underwent successful surgery for an injury sustained in the first game of the SheBelieves Cup. [FRS]

FLASHBACK

• Real Salt Lake trimmed it’s roster to 26 players going into the 2010 season. Which of these players do you remember? [3/3/10]
• RSL learned they will face Costa Rica’s Saprissa in the CCL quarterfinals. [3/3/11]
• In the final preseason game of 2012, RSL beat New York Red Bulls 1-0 off a Chris Wingert golazo. [3/4/12]
• In the first regular season match of the season, RSL traveled to face San Jose Earthquakes, and came away with a 2-0 win with both goals from Alvaro Saborio. [3/3/13]
• Who impressed most during the 2014 preseason? One of them just got named as the team scout! [3/4/14]
• After the Monarch’s stadium plan for the Fairpark fell apart, RSL focused it’s attention on West Valley. Remember these stadium plans? [3/3/15]
• We can claim a bit of foresight with an article calling for in inclusion of female referees for MLS. As of 2021 2 women are AR’s in PRO, none yet have broken into the first rank so more progress needs to be made. [3/3/17]

VIDEO

News report on the Barcelona police raid.