Brotherly Game Daily Links: MLS still hopes to play 34 game season

Philadelphia Union News

OTD 2019: Union win inaugural match against Cincinnati
Just one year ago today, Philadelphia Union made the most of its first trip to the Queen City, knocking off FC Cincinnati by a 2-0 margin in a rainy contest.

MLS News

MLS hopes to play a full 34-game schedule
Atlanta United President Darren Eales says Major League Soccer still intends to play a full 34-game schedule this season, even though the league will be shuttered for at least two months because of the new coronavirus.

Robbie Russell, former MLS defender, describes his life as an ER intern in era of COVID-19
Russell is in first year as an ER resident in the University of Virginia medical system after graduating from medical school at George Washington University last year. That is likely to put him near the front lines of the medical response to the coronavirus pandemic in the weeks and months ahead, which has brought normal life to a halt across the world.

U.S. Soccer News

2015 USWNT vs. 2019 USWNT: Who wins a head-to-head matchup?
Would the angle be “2015 Carli Lloyd vs. 2019 Megan Rapinoe” for two the players who reached the height of their powers in the tournaments? Would it be offense (2019) vs. defense (2015)?

Rest of the World News

IOC sets new 2021 start date for Tokyo Olympics
All teams already qualified for the Olympics will retain their slot with the rescheduled date. In women’s soccer, 10 of the 12 possible teams have already qualified, including the United States. Similarly, 14 of the possible 16 teams have qualified for the men’s tournament — however the remaining qualifiers are for Concacaf, including the U.S. men’s national team.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi agrees to 70% pay cut amid coronavirus pandemic
The reduction will not only affect the men’s first team, but all of the club’s professional teams, including the basketball side, among others.