The Daily Dirt, July 24: Sunday Morning

I’ll let you decide if I’m referring to the No Doubt, Maroon 5, or Velvet Underground song...

I was part of putting together the first ATLSoccerCon yesterday at Red Brick Brewing. Thanks to everyone who came out, we seriously had no idea what to expect with this first time event.

Austin Long and JR Francis were awesome in putting everything together, recruiting some amazing volunteers, and getting the word out.

The Mouths of the South hosted an excellent panel with representatives from four major Atlanta supporters groups about the state of the game in Atlanta.

We will have a recap from that later today. Fingers crossed for audio, we struck out with video when the camera overheated.

Yes, a camera overheated at this event. It was that hot. Next year we will consult the Farmer’s Almanac before picking a date and avoid the hottest day of the year.

The fact that so many people stayed until the end to meet the US Paralympic National Team was amazing. From all of us who helped organize it, thank you for coming out!

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Domestic

LA holds off Portland to win 2-1, Timbers lose for first time since May (LAG Confidential)

Drogba has a hat trick, Montreal clobbers a tired Union 5-1 (Mount Royal Soccer)

Your obligatory Nacho Piatti skill shot of the week:

Orlando comes from behind to salvage a point in Columbus, draws 2-2 (The Mane Land)

Giovinco with a hat trick of his own, Toronto dominates DC United in a 4-1 win (Waking the Red)

Je-Vaughn Watson comes through again for New England, scores a late winner to notch a 1-0 decision over Chicago (MLS)

Victor Ulloa earns Dallas a point on the road with an equalizing goal, Rapids remain unbeaten at home in 1-1 draw (Burgundy Wave)

Houston and Vancouver play to a scoreless draw in Texas (Dynamo Theory)

Fabian Castillo was not in the 18 for Dallas last night, transfer talk heating up (Dallas Morning News)

Long time Newcastle defender Steven Taylor reportedly heading to Portland (Oregon Live)

Sacramento, after already signing a jersey sponsor for their entry into MLS, are expecting an update soon on expansion (Sacramento Bee)

FC Cincinnati pushing USL forward according to league president (Cincinnati.com)

Goalkeeper Greg Hartley with the decisive penalty in the shootout, sends Chattanooga FC to the NPSL national semifinals:

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International

International Champions Cup preseason action is underway, Riyad Mahrez scores a beauty for Leicester against Celtic

Juventus triggers Gonzalo Higuain’s release clause from Napoli (The Siren’s Song)

Carlo Ancelotti looking forward to a “beautiful experience” with Bayern Munich (ESPN FC)

Manchester United apparently gave Zlatan Ibrahimovic the #9 shirt without telling Anthony Martial (Metro)

Mexican national team forward Oribe Peralta had a hat trick for Club America yesterday against Toluca in Liga MX action:

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Local

The Atlanta Silverbacks Women are heading to the WPSL Final Four after a 2-1 over Lake Norman yesterday.

Middlesbrough’s U23’s defeated the Silverbacks NPSL squad yesterday 2-1 in a friendly at Silverbacks Park. Anthony Tokpah had the Atlanta goal on a penalty kick.

Atlanta Dream head into the Olympic Break after a 93-88 win over Dallas (Peachtree Hoops)

Get caught up on the latest with the Braves in the Talking Chop podcast (Talking Chop)