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MLS
According to Ives Galarcep, NBC has lost its bid to retain MLS broadcast television rights after the 2014 season. Jonathan Tannenwald added that ESPN and Fox will share MLS rights, beginning in 2015. Ives added on Twitter that ESPN is likely to secure online rights, so there should be a strong MLS presence on ESPN3.
In the midst of the news of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley being signed by Toronto FC, the team announced the signing of Dwayne De Rosario. Defoe will be unveiled on Monday, but he will remain with Tottenham until the MLS season begins in March.
The Bradley move to Toronto is being described as a "bellwether move" for the league. Landon Donovan praised the move by Bradley. The Bent Musket points out that, while many USMNT fans may not agree with the move, it was a deal Bradley couldn't refuse.
With the move, it's likely that the majority of the USMNT World Cup roster will consist of MLS players.
Prior to the move being finalized, Bradley was initially included in the squad list before being pulled once the transfer was official. Bradley's move to Toronto will likely require that Matias Laba be traded. Black and Red United wants DC United to make a move for him.
Toronto FC is also reportedly close to announcing an affiliation with the Wilmington Hammerheads.
Chivas USA has hired Colorado assistant coach Wilmer Cabrera as its next head coach.
Álvaro Fernandez is returning to the Chicago Fire, as his loan to Nacional has ended (link in Spanish).
Austin Aztex head coach Paul Dalglish is leaving the PDL club to join Real Salt Lake as an assistant coach.
Gregg Berhalter has added two assistants to his staff in Columbus. Robert Maaskant was hired as an assistant coach and Pat Onstad was named as goalkeepers coach. Onstad joins fellow former DC United assistant coach Josh Wolff on the Columbus coaching staff. Maaskant was Berhalter's teammate at FC Zwolle during the 1994-95 season.
The New England Revolution has secured a permanent transfer for Charlie Davies. Davies will remain in New England on a free transfer after Denmark's Randers FC terminated his contract by mutual consent.
FC Dallas won the weighted lottery for former University of Virginia and Djurgårdens IF midfielder Brian Span. With a 41.1 percent chance, Dallas was the favorite to win the lottery.
Nelson Rodriguez, MLS vice president of competition, technical and game operations announced his resignation from his position yesterday. He will leave MLS on January 31 after working for the league for 14 years. Rodriguez was also in charge of the disciplinary committee.
Camilo Sanvezzo was once again pictured in a Querétaro jersey. The Vancouver Whitecaps and MLS aren't likely to be amused.
MLS commissioner Don Garber was interviewed recently by Inc.com and had some interesting quotes on the growth of the league.
US Soccer
Brad Guzan had a mold of his hands made for the new "heritage zone" at Villa Park that will be on display on stadium tours.
USMNT youth technical director and U20 manager Tab Ramos spoke with American Soccer Now's Brian Sciaretta about the current U20 camp. In the interview, he mentioned DeAndre Yedlin as an example of how they can miss out on the development of some U20 players:
If we’re going to compare it with an example from last cycle, a player like DeAndre Yedlin came in here early in the cycle and did not perform. It wasn’t until he went back and played in MLS after a full college season that we thought "Hey, I think we’re going to have to bring Yedlin back because he looks a lot different now than he did in January." For us to have to consider him again, it took 11 months for him to get back onto our radar. Unfortunately for us, this camp is so early in the cycle and for some guys it’s going to work out in the same way.
England
West Bromwich Albion named Pepe Mel as its new manager. Mel was fired by Real Betis last month.
Germany
After recently retired German midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger came out as gay, Robbie Rogers wrote in the Guardian that his example is incredibly important for young athletes. A UK gay rights activist agrees with Rogers. Bayern Munich winger Arjen Robben doesn't seem to think (link in German) Hitzlsperger's sexuality should matter. The Original Winger has Hitzlsperger's first televised interview after coming out.
Brazil
Reigning Copa Libertadores champion Atlético Mineiro has renewed the contract (link in Portuguese) of Ronaldinho, effectively ending rumors connecting the Brazilian playmaker to a move to Turkey.
Spain
After transfer rumors and speculation in recent months, Lionel Messi reiterated his desire to remain with Barcelona for the rest of his career. Barca Blaugranes must be ecstatic at this news, going as far as comparing him to Michael Jordan.
World Cup
National teams are beginning to line up friendlies to warm up for the World Cup. England will face Eucador, Honduras and Peru. The United States declined a friendly against England that would have taken place in Miami. Mexico will play Ecuador in Dallas and Nigeria in Atlanta.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez has come out in opposition to a winter World Cup in 2022 because of the effect it might have on domestic leagues.
TV Listings
Friday
| Ligue 1 | 11:30 AM | Montpelier vs. Monaco | beIN Sports USA, Univision Deportes |
| La Liga | 12:00 PM | Granada vs. Real Valladolid | beIN Sports en Español |
| Championship | 2:00 PM | Leicester City vs. Derby County | beIN Sports USA (tape delay) |
| News | 2:30 PM | ESPN FC | ESPN 2 |
| Liga MX | 5:30 PM | Querétaro vs. Pumas UNAM | ESPN Deportes, Azteca America |
| Liga MX | 7:30 PM | Tijuana vs. América | ESPN Deportes, Azteca America |
Saturday
| Premier League | 4:45 AM | Hull City vs. Chelsea | NBC Sports Network |
| Premier League | 7:00 AM | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Crystal Palace | NBC Sports Network |
| La Liga | 7:00 AM | Athletic Club vs. Almería | beIN Sports en Español |
| Ligue 1 | 8:00 AM | Ajaccio vs. PSG | beIN Sports USA, Univision Deportes |
| La Liga | 9:00 AM | Celta de Vigo vs. Valencia | beIN Sports en Español |
| Premier League | 9:30 AM | Manchester United vs. Swansea City | NBC, Mun2 |
| Ligue 1 | 11:00 AM | Bordeaux vs. Toulouse | Univision Deportes |
| La Liga | 11:00 AM | Atlético Madrid vs. Barcelona | beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español |
| La Liga | 1:00 PM | Elche vs. Sevilla | beIN Sports en Español |
| Ligue 1 | 2:00 PM | Olympique Lyon vs. Sochaux | beIN Sports USA (tape delay) |
| Serie A | 3:00 PM | Bologna vs. Lazio | beIN Sports USA (tape delay) |
| Liga MX | 3:00 PM | Veracruz vs. Atlante | Univision Deportes |
| Liga MX | 3:00 PM | Cruz Azul vs. Santos Laguna | Univision |
| Liga MX | 5:00 PM | Tigres UANL vs. Pachuca | Univision Deportes |
| Torneos de Verano | 5:00 PM | River Plate vs. Estudiantes | Fox Deportes |
| Championship | 5:30 PM | Ipswich Town vs. Queens Park Rangers | beIN Sports USA (tape delay) |
| Liga MX | 6:00 PM | León vs. Atlas | Telemundo |
Sunday
| Serie A | 6:00 AM | Cagliari vs. Juventus | beIN Sports USA |
| Serie A | 6:00 AM | Roma vs. Genoa | beIN Sports en Español |
| Premier League | 6:05 AM | Newcastle United vs. Manchester City | Mun2, NBC Sports Network |
| Ligue 1 | 8:00 AM | Evian TG vs. Olympique Marseille | beIN Sports USA |
| La Liga | 8:00 AM | Real Betis vs. Osasuna | beIN Sports en Español |
| Premier League | 8:10 AM | Stoke City vs. Liverpool | Mun2, NBC Sports Network |
| La Liga | 10:00 AM | Espanyol vs. Real Madrid | beIN Sports USA, beIN Sports en Español |
| Liga MX | 10:00 AM | Puebla vs. Monterrey | ESPN Deportes, Azteca America |
| Liga MX | 10:00 AM | Toluca vs. Morelia | Univision, Univision Deportes |
| Serie A | 11:45 AM | Sassuolo vs. AC Milan | beIN Sports USA |
| Ligue 1 | 12:00 PM | Lille vs. Reims | Univision Deportes |
| La Liga | 12:00 PM | Levante vs. Málaga | beIN Sports en Español |
| Liga MX | 3:00 PM | Guadalajara vs. Chiapas | UniMás, Univision Deportes |
| Serie A | 4:00 PM | Hellas Verona vs. Napoli | beIN Sports USA |