Major Links Soccer: Plenty of big roster moves in MLS

MLS

The San Jose Earthquakes made a couple of big roster moves, acquiring Atiba Harris from the Colorado Rapids for Marvin Chavez. The Earthquakes also signed AC Ajaccio captain Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi after the defensive central midfielder terminated his contract and hopped over the Atlantic on a free transfer.

Although Toronto FC appears to be the frontrunners to land Jermain Defoe, they haven't pried him from Tottenham's hands yet. Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated said the deal is, "not done yet, but close". Waking the Red breaks down what the specific timing means for Toronto FC.

The Portland Timbers kept a key piece of their 2013 season as they re-signed Frederic Piquionne to an undisclosed contract. Piquionne led the Timbers in scoring in the U.S. Open Cup and scored one goal in seven MLS starts for Portland.

The LA Galaxy signed 22-year-old Brazilian forward Samuel on loan. Samuel comes from Brazilian Serie A side Fluminese and has scored 15 goals in 72 appearances over the past two years.

The MLS situation in Minnesota might get a bit ugly as the it looks like the NASL's Minnesota United FC are hopping in bed with the Minnesota Twins to try and land an MLS team. In doing so, they are going up against the Minnesota Vikings who have also expressed interest in bringing a team to the polar vortex. Vikings owners Zygi and Mark Wilf are interested in having the MLS team play in their new stadium, while the Twins would like to build a soccer-specific stadium next door to Target Field.

Once a Metro has an interesting take on the MLS salary cap. Do you agree? Do you disagree it? Battle it out in the comments below.

Suffered an injury in your soccer playing days? Here is a medical brochure for the 2014 MLS Medical Symposium, held on Saturday in Ft. Lauderdale, Flor.

Head coach Richie Williams invited 28 players to the US Under-17 team, and among them are ten players from MLS or MLS-affiliated academies.

NASL

Eric Wynalda is now the "head coach" of the Atlanta Silverbacks in one of the more bizarre coaching assignments in soccer. The term head coach is used a bit loosely here. The Silverbacks technically got rid of the position and handed it to Wynalda. Wynalda will keep his job as an analyst for Fox Sports and head to Atlanta for matches and some practices.

USL

The city of Louisville is under serious consideration by Orlando City's other owners to land the USL club after Orlando is upgraded to bonafied MLS status. Orlando City president and the chairman are scheduled to visit with city officials and potential investors.

In the biggest example that soccer has finally hit the mainstream American mindset, every week hordes of people will be exposed to Juan Pablo Galavis on this season of The Bachelor. Galavis is famous-ish for playing professional soccer in Venezuela and the U.S. from 2001-08.

EPL

As if things weren't ugly enough for Theo Walcott after the Arsenal and Tottenham match, police announced they are investigating anti-Semitic messages posted on Twitter following the match.

Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic said he wouldn't sign a contract extension at the end of the season. Vidic signed a four-year deal with United in 2010 but there was no option attached to the agreement. His agent said several teams are looking at him and that he will easily find a new club.

Sergio Aguero hasn't played since Dec. 14, but Manchester City announced he will return from his calf injury sometime in January. Aguero scored 19 goals in 20 appearances this season and his return will be a huge boost as City hosts Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona in the coming weeks.

Bundesliga

John Brooks is expected to miss up to two weeks after spraining his left knee in practice on Monday. Hertha Berlin is currently in their winter camp and the team announced he will not travel to Turkey.

Serie A

AS Roma confirmed the signing of midfielder Radja Nainggolan from Cagliarai for an initial €3 million, good through 2018. With the arrival of Nainggolan, Michael Bradley has just fallen that much down the depth chart after starting only five games this season.

World Soccer

Here is the sad story of the UAE banning Dan Mori from joining Vitesse because he is Israeli.