Major Link Soccer: Johnson Trade Reaction, Top Goals of the Year

Sounders

The 2013 iteration of the Rave Green wasn't the seminal version we hoped it would be, but boy oh boy did it give us some pretty goals. The Sounders site is counting down their list of the top ten goals of the year, starting with one of my favorites. The buildup in that score against Salt Lake was beautiful, and something I'd love to see more of from next year's club. The top five will come later, and of course we'll link those as well. If that isn't enough goals for you, MLSsoccer.com has posted their Sounders FC year in review, which should have every league goal.

In the wake of Eddie Johnson's exodus from the Emerald City, some less than flattering quotes have come out criticizing Seattle's second-leading goal-scorer. Two big ones are out of articles from ESPN FC and Soccer Wire, calling him "the worst". Of course, it's sourced anonymously, so it could be Hanauer himself, or the guy who washes his golf balls. I actually don't know if Eddie plays golf or not.

I will regret never getting the chance to see Clint and Eddie celebrate an assist-goal combo together as Sounders, but the polls seem to be glad to see Johnson move on. As of writing, nearly 70% polled on the Seattle Times website felt that this was a good move. Richard Farley at NBC's Pro Soccer Talk dissects the move from all angles.

Clint Dempsey was the second-most searched soccer player on Google in America this year, trailing only Landon Donovan and ranking ahead of Wayne Rooney, John Terry, and other UEFA luminaries. The list of most searched teams is less interesting, featuring names like the Portland Timbers and Columbus Crew.

MLS

Turns out Brad Davis was wearing a camera on his jersey for Brian Ching's testimonial match, which made for some nausea but also for some fun Youtubing. I hadn't realized just how many unlikable guys Ching has played with over the years. De Rosario! Stop looking into the camera! (Alternate response: "My eyes are up here, mister!") Really entertaining stuff. I'm waiting with great anticipation for the Oculus Rift adaption.

While we're on the subject of Dwayne De Rosario, Toronto's "Waking the Red" wonders if he might don a Maple Leaf kit again this coming season. Until then, they are upgrading their defensive situation by acquiring Justin Morrow from San Jose for some allocation money.

Stage 2 of the Re-entry draft is today, and it won't include Chris Rolfe or Logan Pause, who both opted out presumably to sign new deals with the Chicago Fire. For the other available names, Soundersfc.com has you covered.

The Houston Dynamo have acquired the rights to center back David Horst from Portland, in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2014 Superdraft.

Speaking of the draft, Top Drawer Soccer has a few players to take a look at. Hard to say if they'll fall to Seattle's lot, but as we get closer to the draft, some names will start to make themselves known.

Soccer's worldwide nature makes it difficult to exhaust the supply of talent, nevertheless, The Bent Musket is worried about the effects of America's current expansion rampage.

While the New England Revolution are extending their agreement with the Real Boston Rams as their PDL affiliate, it looks like FC Dallas will fail to find a partner for the upcoming season.

ESPN is reporting that Curt Onalfo has removed himself from the running for head coach of Chivas USA, quite possibly the best career decision Onalfo has ever made.

Miami is now in negotiation mode on the potential MLS stadium site, talking with David Beckham about how they can make this happen. They've got two weeks left to get it figured out.

Black and Red United wraps up their two part series on their perceptions of MLS teams, this time covering every expansion team (including the Sounders).

World

Bob Bradley hasn't found a new home yet, but he is saying goodbye to his old one. Kingfut.com takes his final interview as coach of the Pharaohs of Egypt.

Italy can't escape from the continuing tidal wave of match-fixing allegations, the latest centering around the legendary Gennaro Gattuso. It just keeps creeping higher and higher, and the potential for further revelations must have Italy's soccer association quaking in their Italian leather boots.