Royal Roundup: The Messi saga ends with PSG signing

The Lionel Messi saga is hopefully over as he has officially signed with Paris Saint Germain in the French Ligue 1 on a 2 year contract. He will wear the #30 jersey, which was his original number when he started at Barcelona. He joins a team already stocked with star players, and has set his immediate sights on winning the Champions League title.

REAL SALT LAKE / UTAH

• [MLS] RSL earned a “B” grade for acquisitions during the MLS summer transfer window.
• [RSL] Q&A with coach Freddy Juarez at the team’s season midpoint.
• [RSL] Monarchs goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup makes USL history as the youngest keeper to earn a clean sheet after last week’s shutout of San Diego Loyal.

MLS / USL / NWSL

• [90Min] Coach Peter Vermes takes the blame for Sporting Kansas City’s 6-1 loss to Club Leon in the first game of Leagues Cup.
• [NWSL] Commissioner Lisa Baird discusses the state of the League, expansion and other topics in a mid-seaon press update.
• [SI][USAT] NWSL’s Washington Spirit have suspended their head coach Richie Burke after allegations of verbal abuse of players.
• [90Min] Seattle Sounders cruised to a 3-0 win over Tigres UANL in Leagues Cup play.
• [USSP] Why one-club players are rarer than you may believe.
• [DSS] Early reports indicate that Seattle Sounders asst. coach Gonzalo Pineda is set to become the new head coach for Atlanta United.

USA

• [FRS][SocWire] The US Men’s Soccer squad has been named for the upcoming Beach Soccer World Cup.
• [Goal] Former USWNT goalkeeper Hope Solo alleges that team doctors routinely handed out anti-anxiety drugs.
• [NWSL] US Soccer, NWSL and NWSLPA will hold a free “B” license course for 24 current and former NWSL players.

INTERNATIONAL

• [SI] The European Super League fiasco served to make the Fan-Owner relationship even worse.
• [Guardian] US businessman John Textor has bought a £87.5 million stake in the ownership of Crystal Palace.

Photo by Visionhaus