Royal Roundup: US Olympic hopes dashed

New owner watch: 81 days since the league took over the sale.

Justin Glad, Aaron Herrera and David Ochoa will all be returning to Utah as the US U-23’s Olympic dreams come to an end. [Guardian][Goal] Coach Jason Kreis classified it as “a tragedy”. [ESPN][NBCS]

INTERNATIONAL

• Portugal was denied a stoppage time game winning goal in their World Cup qualifier vs Serbia. Replays showed a goal, but VAR was not available for the match. [ESPN]
• Ronaldo stormed off the pitch before the final whistle in protest, and he has a point about the lack of VAR or other goal line technology that could have been used. [ESPN]
• Thierry Henry is quitting social media due to unchecked racism and bullying. [CBS]
• There players from Wales were sent home for breaking quarantine rules during World Cup qualifying match. [Guardian]
• Real Madrid are looking to sell 6 senior players to raise funds to sign two big names. [SportsLens]
• Honduras and Mexico book tickets to the Olympics. [FIFA]
• Concacaf is entering the final phase of certifying referees to use VAR in future events. The current class of Central American and Caribbean referees are participating. [CONCACAF]
• The prospect of a Women’s Club World Cup is moving ahead quickly. [Guardian]

USA

• Some burning questions about the US U-23 and senior teams. [ESPN]
• US failure to qualify for the Olympics yet again is complicated. [WaPo][FRS]
• USMNT gets first ever win vs Northern Ireland. [USAT]
• Three thoughts on the USMNT win over Northern Ireland. [Multiplex]
• And some thoughts on the US U-23 loss to Honduras. [ASN][FRS]
• US Open Cup has eliminated the opening rounds for 2021 due to Covid travel concerns. Will start with Round of 16. [Score]

MLS/USL/NWSL

• The first predictions are in for MLS end of year awards. [Multiplex]
• USL have chosen the teams that will participate in the Covid-reduced 2021 US Open Cup. [USL]
• Nationwide insurance joins growing list of NWSL sponsors. [USAT]
• Real Salt Lake announced a new training campus in Arizona as a home to the RSL-AZ U13-U19 academy teams. [RSL]

FLASHBACK

• [3/29/10] RSL’s Javier Morales named MLS Player of the Week.
• [3/29/11] The pressure is building for RSL.
• [3/31/12] RSL earns 3-2 come from behind road win vs Portland Timbers. (Highlights)
• [3/30/13] RSL gets a 2-1 home win vs Seattle Sounders.
• [3/29/14] RSL thumps Toronto FC 3-0.
• [3/19/15] RSL played it’s first ever scheduled Sunday game causing many ruffled feathers.
• [4/1/16] A shorthanded RSL used the MLS extreme hardship rule to call up 3 Real Monarchs players for upcoming match vs Sporting Kansas City.
• [3/29/17] Mike Petke officially named RSL head coach.

MEDIA

Former teammates for the Real Monarchs; Luis Palma consoles David Ochoa after the US loss.