"Today, I understand why people are kneeling. We saw it with the women, we saw it in the NFL. I think if they are respectful, they are appropriate. I would tell you this. I'm the most patriotic person you're ever going to be around. As the national team coach, at times, during the national anthem, I was in tears. Honored to represent the United States in World Cups and international matches. And I think playing the national anthem is clearly appropriate at those levels. However, I question why we are playing national anthems in professional sporting events in this country. I believe the history of the anthem was that it was brought in during World War II to celebrate the baseball players and soldiers who participated in World War II. And then it was obviously extended to other sports to where it is today. I think it puts people in awkward positions. We don't use the national anthem in movie theaters, on Broadway, or for other events in the United States. I don't think it is appropriate to have a national anthem before a baseball game, an MLS game. But having said that I want it understood that, I am very patriotic, but I think it is inappropriate."

-- New England Revolution head coach Bruce Arena, who coached the USA at two World Cups, on the relevance of playing the national anthem prior to pro sporting events in this era. (Banter on ESPN)

Chicago. IN: Chris Brady (HG), Allan Rodriguez (HG).
FC Dallas. IN: Franco Jara (Pachuca/MEX, free) Carlos Avilez (North Texas SC, HG).
D.C. United: OUT: Chris Durkin (Sint-Truiden/BEL, transfer).
Houston, IN: Nico Lemoine (RGV FC, USL).
LAFC. IN: Andy Najar (Anderlecht/BEL, free).
LA Galaxy. OUT: Aleksandar Katai (released).
Montreal. IN: Keesean Ferdinand (HG), Tomas Giraldo (HG).
Portland. IN: Pablo Bonilla (Timbers 2, USL), OUT: Jorge Moreira (River Plate/ARG, loan expired)
Seattle. IN: Josh Atencio (Tacoma Defiance, HG), Ethan Dobbelaere (HG). OUT: Harry Shipp (retired)

1. NWSL player tests positive for COVID-19 ahead of Challenge Cup By Julia Poe (Orlando Sentinel)
2. Regulations, precautions for USL restart outlined in internal documents By Jeff Rueter (The Athletic)
3. Football may not happen at all this year, Fauci warns By Wayne Sterling and Dr. Sanjay Gupta (CNN)