Major Link Soccer: Jimmy Nielsen, Head Coach

Sounders

Business Meeting Remainders

A few last questions that didn't make it into the business meeting were answered on the Sounders FC website, including plans to host an MLS All-Star Game, why only original Season Ticket holders get the biggest possible discount, and whether it'd be possible to get rid of the flamethrowers.

The article may be troll-bait, but this piece from Soccer America states that the Sounders' recent transactions show a move away from creative soccer and towards MLS physicality.

MLS

Google is expected to be a player in streaming soccer rights in the near future, including MLS and other leagues.

FC Dallas will take their preseason to the middle-east when they visit Abu Dhabi this February.

USL Affiliations

Two new MLS sides have created relationships with USL partners as part of the Development League program. Kansas City has united with Oklahoma Energy FC, who will be coached by recently retired Jimmy Nielsen. Which... is just fantastic... Columbus Crew have also united with USL's Dutch Lions.

Buzzard Point Stadium

DC United's stadium plan at Buzzard Point already has plenty of obstacles without having to deal with concerned members of the neighborhood. The worst (best?) part is that it isn't even the stadium they're worried about, but instead the land swap which is key to obtaining the land for the building. Neighbors want the parcel to be used not for luxury apartments but instead for office space. Seems like a minor complaint. Let's hope such a relatively minor detail doesn't derail the whole process.

Player Tracker

Jairo Arrieta had a disappointing season for the Columbus Crew in 2013, after leading the team in scoring in 2012. Columbus has re-signed the player for 2014, likely hoping to see a return to prior form.

On the other hand, Zarek Valentin will not be a member of the 2014 Montreal Impact, instead electing to stick with a newly promoted Norwegian side. Also on the way out is Philadelphia's Michael Farfan, joining Mexico's Cruz Azul. Cruz Azul is also poaching LA's Jose Villareal and San Jose's Rafael Baca.

The FC Dallas coaching search has come full circle, now taking another look at Oscar Pareja when it was previously thought they had moved past him as a candidate.

World

Ben Rycroft, a fixture at the wonderful Canadian Soccer News, is stepping down to pursue other avenues. He cites the accomplishment of goals like the spreading popularity of soccer domestically as a reason for this move.

100 spectators were injured in India when the stands at a soccer match collapsed before the start of the game. In a miracle, none of the injuries appear to have been fatal.

Seattle area people like to look at how an all-Seattle or all-Cascadia team would do against MLS and world competition. This article has the same idea, looking at Kansas City products.