National team coaches around the world are starting to name their squads for upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers in a couple weeks. According to a few reports, a pair of Sounders will be getting the call.
Here’s one that indicates defender Adam Johansson will once again be called up by Sweden. Same thing goes for midfielder Mario Martinez, who has become a regular for Honduras.
If called up, those two could miss a crucial home game against Real Salt Lake on Oct. 17.
Let’s get to some links:
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— How big is the upcoming GM vote? Well, big enough for The New York Times to write about it in the paper. “All the News That’s Fit to Print” indeed.
— Also, here’s a USA Today story that looks at the growth of the league through San Jose and Kansas City.
— More locally, the Timbers are looking forward to spoiling Sunday’s party in front of a sold-out CenturyLink Field. Also, Portland’s owner Merritt Paulson was fined $25,000 for inappropriate conduct toward officials during and after the D.C. United game.
— Around the league, the Red Bulls made some major front office changes, Michael Gspurning was the only Sounder who showed up in the weekly Castrol Index, and Charlie Davies reached a settlement in his civil suit in connection with that devastating car crash a few years ago.
— The new FIFA world rankings are out. The U.S. jumped a spot to No. 32.
— Did you see Michael Ballack has officially retired? Remember, he was often linked to MLS.
— Here’s a roundup of Tuesday’s Champions League action, and here’s an interview with Barcelona midfielder Xavi (one of my personal favorites to watch).
— Lastly, here’s a Ukrainian fan that goes after a ref…
https://youtube.com/watch?v=PxD2KIHq6Qs