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Happy Wednesday boys and girls! Hopefully, you have your favorite U.S. gear ready for tonight because it's a USMNT matchday! The U.S. will take on Ecuador this evening (8:00pm, ESPN2) in its second friendly in preparation for the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Learn more about coach Jurgen Klinsmann's expectations for this tournament and then take a look at how the tournament will test the younger stars and give them some valuable experience. Now, to the internet!
Euro 2016 team preview: Slovakia set for European Championship debut | ESPNFC
ESPNFC is doing fantastic previews of every team competing at Euro 2016 next month. Today, learn more about Slovakia, who is entering the European dance for the first time.
Copa America announces "clear bag policy" for security purposes | Pro Soccer Talk
Alert for anyone who is traveling to matches for Copa America this summer...leave the backpacks at home. The NFL clear bag policy is in effect for all stadiums...which makes sense seeing that with the exception of the Rose Bowl and the Citrus Bowl, next month's tournament venues are all NFL stadiums.
Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo suffers thigh problem in training | Football.co.uk
Madridistas are holding their breath as they hope that Cristiano Ronaldo is okay and the knock he picked up in training yesterday won't affect his preparation for this weekend's UEFA Champions League final.
Portland Timbers fans say Timbers Army chant 'objectifies' women, want it changed | The Oregonian
The Oregonian takes a look at one of the Timbers Army's more well known chants and whether it is offensive to women. My thoughts: it's always good to analyze what could make your supporters group more welcoming and more inclusive, so good on the members of TA who are bringing attention to what could be a sore spot for many fans.
Record numbers bid to host FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2020 | FIFA
Costa Rica, Croatia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates all are vying to host the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Honestly, this is a World Cup I can get behind. 2020? I'm in, who's with me?
Omitted Pirlo and Giovinco paid the price for playing MLS, says Conte | WorldSoccer
Italian coach and incoming Chelsea FC coach Antonio Conte has some harsh words for MLS and why Italian internationals Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo didn't make the cut for Italy's Euro 2016 squad.
10 soccer books to consider adding to your summer reading list | Washington Post
Need to know what soccer books to read this summer? Steve Goff of the Washington Post gives a great list of books that you can read between Copa and Euro matches. If I may add a couple of suggestions to that list: How Soccer Explains The World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization by Franklin Foer and Soccernomics by Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski. Both are excellent reads.
Wu's late winner puts Shanghai through to AFC Champions League quarters | WorldSoccerTalk
Remember Sven-Goran Eriksson? Well, he's still coaching! His Shanghai SIPG side is through to the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League. Learn more about who else is through to the final 8 in Asia. It's fascinating to me to learn more about these teams whose matches are normally shown while we are either in deep sleep or struggling to start our day.
Detroit City FC is 'not concerned' with possibility of MLS bringing new team | MLive
While MLS to Detroit gains some traction, NPSL side Detroit City FC isn't worried about a new team coming to town. And why should they be? They just drew 7,410 fans to their newly renovated Keyworth Stadium for their home opener last Friday and expect more this weekend for a friendly against English side FC United. As a native of Metro Detroit who is one of the first ever season ticket holders for Detroit City FC, I say there's room in town for both and I hope that both co-exist.
Well, it's 7:30am, and I should get back to work so I can watch the USMNT tonight. Go Go USA and remember: Best to give way for the USA, now we're hot, you might think we're a sun ray.