Major Link Soccer: Alston out with cancer, Fire & Timbers win, more

Kevin Alston is taking time away for soccer and for all the wrong reasons. The former All-Star was diagnosed with cancer (Official Revolution Blog). Chronic myelogenous leukemia is treatable and Alston is expected to return to play at some point.

"The Revolution fully supports Kevin as he begins treatment," Revolution General Manager Michael Burns said. "Right now, the most important thing for Kevin, and his family, is to concentrate on returning to full health. Kevin's had a tremendous attitude since the diagnosis and his positivity is an inspiration for all of us."

Without a doubt the American soccer community will rally behind this. Get Well KA.

The league results over the weekend are in and the Seattle Sounders are now in last, as well as being the last winless team. The Chicago Fire edged (HotTimeOldTown) New York on Sunday to finish a weekend of bad results for Seattle fans. Even the Portland Timbers won and they looked very good (StumptownFooty) while doing it. There was one tiny bright spot if you are the vindictive type. Down at Buck Shaw the San Jose Earthquakes managed to lose (QuakeRattleAndGoal) because they could not put a couple pair of shoes (ProSoccerTalk) on quickly. It is still early, but the standings are not a happy place.

TV ratings on NBC Sports are up 8% (NBCSportsPR) compared to the same time last year. That's good. It isn't great. But it is good. Local ratings did OK (Grantland) in 2012, but again show room for growth. Neither of these address the Spanish language market, which we know is quite strong (SaH).

One of Liviu's many projects is covering the Seattle Reign for not us. He does a great job in this video.

Herculez Gomez continued to irritate and amuse Sounders fans on twitter over the weekend. Joshua Mayers took a look at Herc's history with Seattle (Seattle Times).

Former Sounders Academy player and soon to be U23 player Justin Solomon was interviewed by the Aussie (OSAussies) equal of Yanks-Abroad. He was at an Arizona CC last year and will be on the U23s this Spring. His future beyond that is unknown.

Finally, this is the last of Major Link Soccer. We're moving it to a daily thing rather than the once or twice a week mega-post. That means two things. We could use some help. Agent J is still going to do many of them, but he can't do them all. Shoot me an email if you are interested. Please explain why you would be a good addition to the SaH team.

We also need to name it. I have ideas but feedback is always good. It's kind of what makes this place awesome.