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MLS Draft
The fun starts at 9:00 AM locally, broadcasting live from Philadelphia on ESPN News. We will have a live thread to follow along with shortly, but for now, here's an entire internet's worth of previews and notes.
As you may already know, the Sounders hold the eighth, 21st, 55th, and 77th picks. Joshua Mayers takes a look at some of the players who may be available at 8.
The final editions of the mock drafts are out. MLSsoccer, Soccer By Ives, Top Drawer Soccer, Goal.com, and of course the somewhat outdated SB Nation entry. SBI also has a draft board up.
The ever-reliable Top Drawer Soccer has ranked the top prospects in Defense, Midfield and Forward. SBI ranks the top players from the combine.
It's tough to draft reliably after the first ten picks, but every year brings a few more sleepers turned stars. This is the topic these articles from MLSsoccer and The Goat Parade.
Washington's flip-throwing right back Michael Harris is still hoping to be part of the MLS draft, or at least on a roster when it is all said and done.
Some more MLSsoccer.com links:
SuperDraft: No. 1 picks faces tough tradition, taxing future in MLS | MLSsoccer.com
SuperDraft: Darlington Nagbe, Brad Guzan among top No. 2 selections in MLS history | MLSsoccer.com
2014 MLS SuperDraft Top 5: Right backs good on the overlap, but then what? | MLSsoccer.com
2014 MLS SuperDraft Top 5: For strike prospects, the goal is goals | MLSsoccer.com
SuperDraft: Chat LIVE with MLSsoccer.com experts during the draft, Thursday, 11:45 am ET | MLSsoccer.com
SuperDraft: With heavy handful of picks, Philadelphia Union considering trading down | MLSsoccer.com
MLS
The tug-of-war over Xavi's future MLS status continues, with rumors now saying that he will join the New York Red Bulls at the conclusion of the World Cup.
The news isn't so good in Vancouver, where Camilo's departure seems all but inevitable.
With Michael Bradley comes a new look for Toronto FC. Nothing drastic, but they're leaking their new 2nd kit, and boy is it spiffy.
Prosoccertalk has analysis on yesterday's big moves, the Seattle-Chicago trade, and Philadelphia's trade of Parke to DC United.They also look at two new Argentinians joining the Portland Timbers in place of El Trencito. (Portland also made their second HGP signing).
The Philadelphia Union are going almost as wild as Toronto, now reportedly signing Chaco Maidana. However, the quest for Maurice Edu has stalled as MLS balks at his asking price.
In the NASL, the league plans to have a payment plan set up for their online streaming this coming year.
Sounders
Nos Audietis sponsor The Seattle Boat Show is hosting Sails & Ales which are really the only two reasons we watch soccer. That's pretty cool, if we do say so ourselves (and we do).
(The Boat Show, the Boat Show, The Big Seattle Boat Show...)
With yesterday's trade of Patrick Ianni and Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, only three Sounders have been with the team since it joined MLS in 2009.
Seattle won't be the only local club with tryouts, as the PDL Puget Sound Gunners will take on all comers later this winter. The Gunners, who will play in Issaquah in 2014, are a rebranding of the North Sound SeaWolves.