Major Link Soccer: The Return of Rafa Marquez

Sounders

Over at MLSsoccer.com, Jeremiah has a story on Michael Gspurning, who laments the harsh realities of the MLS salary cap. The way he tells it, Gspurning would be back with the team if salary rules in the league weren't so limiting. That said, Gspurning isn't turning down a return to MLS in the future.

We had a story last night strongly linking Eddie Johnson to DC United. That goes along with a story at the official LA Galaxy site, calling Johnson to Los Angeles a "long shot".

MLS

Rafa Marquez will be coming back to the states next year as a part of Liga MX club Leon, taking on the likes of Sporting, Portland, New York, and DC.

Landon Donovan said no to a loan deal to Mexico, and no one could blame him. It's probably going to be Everton or nothing for Donovan.

Matt Reis retired earlier this month after a terrific career with the New England Revolution. It didn't last long though, as he immediately took a coaching job with the Galaxy. Understandably, some Revs fans feel robbed of their chance to say goodbye.

Luis Robles joins Roy Miller with a new contract in New York.

Sporting KC, needing a new starting keeper to replace Jimmy Nielsen, traded for Andy Gruenebaum from Columbus.

Promoting coaches to fill vacancies is an unusual occurrence in the modern sporting world, but that's the route Vancouver took in making Carl Robinson their head coach. Eighty Six Forever weighs the pros and cons of the choice.

The Chicago Fire are opening a new soccer center on the other side of the Second City. It'll be the new home of the academy and host other soccer... stuff...

Fox Sports will hold onto the rights to the UEFA Champions League until 2018.