Major Link Soccer: Most Efficient Player in MLS

Sounders

DeAndre Yedlin had a pretty fantastic rookie season, winning the starting right back job from a veteran who is still receiving call ups for Sweden's national team, providing a key goal in Champions League, playing in the U20 World Cup and the MLS All-Star Game and leading the Sounders in the total number of minutes played in 2013.

Mauro Rosales has already said that he wants to play for the Sounders for a few more years, but even if that doesn't happen, he'd rather stay in MLS than go to a different league.

There is plenty of uncertainty over who will be on the Sounders roster when the 2014 MLS season opens, but it's a pretty safe bet that Lamar Neagle will still be here. He was the most cost effective player in MLS in 2013. Eddie Johnson also managed to make the top 10.

In a recent interview, Arlo White discussed the career path that led him to become NBC's lead announcer for its coverage of Barclay's Premier League, including the time he spent as the voice of the Sounders.

MLS

Remember when news broke of a "league DP" a while ago and MLS promptly denied the claims? It turns out that those reports were actually pretty close to the truth, according to an article about Philadelphia Union head coach John Hackworth and his plans for the offseason. The term used this time around in "impact DP". The league matches up to $1 million worth of investment in a player that meets the criteria. Three players are named who have been signed under these terms: Gabriel Torres, Max Urruti and Diego Valeri.

New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis will miss 5-7 months after having surgery on his left quadriceps tendon.

You wouldn't think the LA Galaxy is unaccustomed to beginning the offseason this early. LA has already signed midfielder Baggio Husidic and re-signed fullback Todd Dunivant.

We often talk about parity when we compare MLS to soccer leagues around the world. It seems to be the one area where MLS holds an advantage on its foreign competitors. Tempo Free Soccer put the theory of MLS parity to the test and come up with some interest results.

Toronto FC is about to sign its first DP of the offseason, with reports that Alberto Gilardino has accepted TFC's offer.

If Portland thought Real Salt Lake would try to park the bus at Jeld-Wen Field in the second leg of the Western Conference Final after winning 4-2 in the first leg, they were mistaken. Jason Kreis is determined not to relive the close call he had against the Sounders in 2011 after taking a 3-0 lead in the first leg of the conference semifinals.

US Soccer

Mike Magee was a bit surprised that he wasn't called up for the national team friendlies in Europe, after having a season that was so good that he was considered one of the top contenders for MVP for most of the year.

We now know that the US Open Cup's spot in CONCACAF Champions League isn't going anywhere. What isn't clear is exactly which teams from MLS would take the remaining spots in next year's CCL.

Orlando seems to be on a mission to prove itself as a soccer city, with the pending announcement of its MLS expansion team. Over 20,000 fans showed up to watch the US Women's National Team beat Brazil 4-1 at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday, but they didn't stop there. When the USWNT bus broke down after the match, Orlando fans gave the players rides back to their hotel.

FIFA

If you are one of the lucky few to have secured tickets to the 2014 World Cup, you may be surprised to learn that shipping charges will cost you $41 if you want the tickets now or $25 if you have them delivered to you in Brazil.

FIFA has given security assurances to Ghana ahead of the World Cup playoff against Egypt in Cairo.

England

It turns out that Tottenham manager André Villas-Boas may have ignored the advice of his medical staff after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris displayed symptoms consistent with concussions during the match against Everton. Villas-Boas remains insistent that he did nothing wrong.

Hull City manager Assem Allam has confirmed that he plans to re-name his club "Hull Tigers". He declined to comment on the rumors flooding Twitter yesterday that Hull City has signed our own Aaron Campeau.

Spain

Barcelona forward Lionel Messi will miss 6-8 weeks with a torn hamstring suffered in the club's match last weekend.