Short takes
• Former Chicago and current U.S. forward Christen Press is on the verge of leaving the National Women's Soccer League after she was traded to Houston as part of a three-team blockbuster. Press and Chicago agreed she would move on before 2018, but Press wasn't willing to accept a deal to Houston — yet the teams pulled the trigger on the trade. It appears Press will look to sign with a team overseas.
• MLS finally has something to crow about in the CONCACAF Champions League. New York and Toronto eliminated Liga MX teams in the quarterfinals, a rare achievement for MLS teams. The semifinals will match New York with Club America and Toronto with Chivas.
• I fear that the Italian title race, once the best thing to watch in Europe, has become a stroll for Juventus. Napoli, for so long the leader, lost at home to Roma and then could only manage a tie away at Inter Milan, while Juve steamrollered ahead with its current 12-game winning streak in the league. By the time Napoli plays again on Sunday afternoon, it could be seven points behind its rivals with just 10 games to play.
