Major Link Soccer: Donovan V Dempsey, Tim Ream Is A Red Bull No More, Amazing Race Anyone?

Today at noon, or if you're on the East Coast 3 p.m., Fox Soccer will be broadcasting Everton vs Fulham in a FA cup match up. I bet you're asking yourself why I'm bringing this up here? Two of America's best players will be on display, on opposite sides of the ball. The LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan who is on loan to Everton, and Clint Dempsey - the only American to bag a hat trick in England's top flight. Oh, and Tim Howard will be in goal for Everton, all three are USMNT teammates.

MLSscoccer.com thought it would be a good idea to compare their careers in MLS: Donovan vs Dempsey, if you will. But there really isn't a debate is there? When they go by the numbers, of course Donovan comes out on top, because he's had a lot more time in the league than Deuce. Still, I did find the comments entertaining (sort of).

Speaking of Dempsey, he's started a regular column over at Goal.com called oddly enough "Dempsey's Diary". In his first installment, he talks about how he misses bass fishing as it helps keep him centered and relaxed. He does go on to talk about what it takes to play in England's Top Flight.

Getting used to the pressure of playing in the Premier League is probably the biggest adjustment in moving to England. The Premier League is a league where you’re under a microscope and you have to perform weekly and each match matters. You have to realize that you can’t ever really relax, that you always have to keep pushing, you always have to keep fighting for something.

Wayne Rooney's little brother John, has signed with Orlando City of the USL. He only made five appearances for the New York Red Bulls last season after being selected in the second round of the SuperDraft in that same year.

The LA Galaxy and West Coast FC have entered into a partnership, that will help deepen roots of youth soccer in Orange County. West Coast FC is one of the premier youth soccer programs helping kids get to the next level in the sport, and now with the Galaxy on board they look to up the level of training these kids will receive.

"We look forward to developing elite players who have the potential to become professionals," said Wyss about the new partnership. "We are looking forward to increasing the quality of the talent in our program by working together with LA Galaxy."

The Galaxy will be using their coaches and institute their own philosophy's and curriculum.

Speaking of the Galaxy, defender Dasan Robinson has announced his retirement at the age of 27. The defender also had played for Toronto FC and the Chicago Fire. He made the announcement via his twitter account.

"Dear Family, Friends, and Fans, I am writing to let you all know that I have officially retired from professional soccer. It was not an easy," Robinson tweeted from his @Dae32 account.

He's most likely headed back to Chicago and would like to get into coaching.

In case you missed it, it's official: Tim Ream to Bolton is now a done deal. He's been added in hopes to strengthen a Bolton squad who saw defender Gary Cahill head to Chelsea during this transfer window. The Wanderers are only 3 points above the relegation zone, sitting on 17 points.

Here's what Bolton's Manager Owen Coyle had to say about his newest centerback.

"He is a U.S. international - a player that year-on-year has progressed and got better, and he will continue to do that,'' Coyle said. "Tim is everything that we want in the players we are bringing to the club when we spend in the transfer market. "He is young, has a tremendous attitude and a winning mentality.''

Former Portland Timbers defender Cameron Knowles who played with the club during their USL days from 2007 to 2010 has been named as an assistant coach. He was originally drafted by Real Salt Lake in 2005 in the supplemental draft.

Andrew Weber, who's currently in camp with the Sounders, could end up becoming more famous for non-soccer reasons. The goalkeeper and his twin brother have been selected to take part in the next installment of the Amazing Race reality show.

Buried somewhat deep in this article about PPL park, home to the Philadelphia Union and this year's MLS All-Star game, is a note that the time of said event means that some MLS stars could be missing from the MLS's yearly showcase (and when they say stars, the only one they mention by name is David Beckham). The Olympic tournament starts the day after the event.

If you're wondering what former Colorado Rapids coach Gary Smith is up to, wonder no longer my friends. He has been hired to coach League 1 side Stevenage Borough in England. Don't you feel better now?

Former USMNT player Richie Williams has been named coach of the US U-17 squad replacing Wilmar Cabera. Williams a former Red Bulls assistant coach with over see the residency program in Bradenton FLA.

New Vancouver Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie seems to be taking some flack for signing three of his former RailHawks players to his MLS side.

"They’re not really division two players," Rennie said. "The fact they’ve worked with me for a short space of time is only a positive thing since I know what they bring from a personality point of view and a playing point of view, so for those guys I don’t see that argument."