The Daily Dirt, September 18: Run the World

The U.S. Women’s National Team is in Atlanta tonight, facing the Netherlands. This was supposed to be part of the Victory Tour after a successful Olympic Games, but we all know how that turned out. With the roster only consisting of Olympic players and alternates (minus injured and suspended players), this was likely a contractual obligation for these players to be called in as part of their CBA with U.S. Soccer.

Moving forward, Jill Ellis will be tasked with refreshing a roster that is aging as the team prepares for the 2019 Women’s World Cup and 2020 Olympic Games. The steady improvement of the NWSL will be put to the test as a developmental tool for the best players in the country.

Goalkeeper is one of the biggest questions moving forward with Hope Solo’s suspension and contract termination. With no one else playing significant time with the national team, it is a bit of an open competition to see who will take hold of the role. Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher are in the current squad and have to be considered the first in line for the opportunity.

The other big question mark tonight is Megan Rapinoe and her actions. She knelt for the U.S. national anthem on Thursday night in Columbus, Ohio, and unless she has changed her mind, plans to kneel tonight. U.S. Soccer issued a statement expressing their expectations for national team players after Thursday’s game. We will see if anything changes tonight.

Barring something unexpected, this will be the final soccer event at the Georgia Dome before its demolition early next year. Big games will then move to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium next door, and hopefully the USWNT will consistently be in the mix for games there.

Domestic

Jordan Morris keeps Seattle’s playoff hopes alive with a late goal to defeat Vancouver (Sounder at Heart)

Fanendo Adi’s second half goal is the difference, Portland keeps a solid grip on a playoff spot in the West with their win over Philadelphia (Stumptown Footy)

Dallas and NYCFC share the points in an entertaining match from Yankee Stadium (MLS)

New England shakes off their U.S. Open Cup disappointment with a surprising 3-1 win in Montreal (Mount Royal Soccer)

Orlando’s shocking 4-1 loss at home to Columbus means they are on the outside looking in right now (The Mane Land)

San Jose falls further behind in the Western Conference playoff race after a scoreless draw in Colorado (Burgundy Wave)

Real Salt Lake loses for the first time at home this season... to last place Houston (Dynamo Theory)

Orlando sells 18,000 season tickets for their new stadium (OCSC)

The U.S. Women’s National Team is in Atlanta tonight for a friendly with the Netherlands at 7:00 p.m. Get to the Georgia Dome or to FS1. (Women’s Soccer United)

11 players that should be given a look with the USWNT (FourFourTwo)

International

Klopp: I enjoy hugging my players (Sky)

Leicester figuring out new partnerships (SB Nation)

Werder Bremen have fired their coaching staff after a winless start to the season (FourFourTwo)

Local

North Georgia’s nationally ranked women’s team wins 3-1 over Georgia College (WDUN)