Major Link Soccer: Donovan Becomes the All-Time MLS Leader

Seattle

The weekend was a whirlwind for many of us associated with Seattle Sounders FC. I went to the match, but only after getting in barely before first kick due to a variety of issues (including an incorrect ticket). Jackie Montgomery may have had the toughest day of all, taking a deflected soccer ball to the head before all was said and done. You may remember that she isn't the only member of the media flipping the numerals on the "Days Without an Accident" sign at BC Place.

Vancouver is sometimes the forgotten member of the Cascadia rivalry, but they put together a tifo for the match worthy of the competition.

Speaking of our northern neighbors, our friends at Eighty Six Forever put together a lengthy recap of the game with a singular point: the referee cost them three points. Never mind that I was standing up with fists pumped during my live view of the play (before the referee made the call), nor the seemingly poor luck the Sounders have had with foul calls in the box this year, nor that there seems to be a decent amount of thought that Gershon Koffie trapped the ball with his arm before scoring their second goal. None of this changes the fact that Stefan Frei clearly wasn't thinking when he decided to clear a ball from the sideline to the middle of the field (maybe he was tired of playing keeper and wanted to get into the action?)

Luckily for all of us (good call or no) Gonzalo Pineda was prepared to convert his PK opportunity, bringing the overall record for non-Evans PK takers to 7-15 for this club since 2009.

If you weren't happy with the CB play that the green men displayed in Vancouver, you're probably hoping to see the Sounders make a move during the summer transfer window to bring in a better class of defender to pair with Chad Marshall. Ballfann has some ideas.

MLS

It has finally happened. After scoring twice in LA's 5-0 defeat of Chivas near the end of the 2013 season, Landon Donovan's claim to history seemed to be just beyond a thin veil. Turns out that veil was heavier than it seemed, but 13 Galaxy matches later Donovan has set the MLS record for most goals by a single player in a career. The first goal helped him break a long tie with Jeff Cunningham (whose record-setter against the Sounders now loses a bit more importance). Of course, this all came just days after the controversial decision to leave Donovan off of the USMNT roster for the World Cup. That makes it four WC snubs to score upon receiving the news, yet Brad Evans has not had his own retribution yet. Will it be absent, or is it simply building?

Long time teammate Mike Magee had this to say about the achievement:

HAHAHAHAHAHA DONOVAN HAHAHAHAHA I DIDNT EVEN NOTICE HE BROKE THE MLS GOAL SCORING RECORD UNTIL MY PHONE NOTIFIED ME HAHA #LegenD

— Mike Magee (@magee9) May 26, 2014

What's bad for Sporting KC becomes worse: Now missing their first four centerback choices, Chance Myers will sit out the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. It is adding injury to injury, with Ike Opara already out for 2014 and Aurelien Collin trying to return from an injured hamstring. Matt Besler is away for National Team duty.

Who knew the transcript of an interview with a player agent could be so entertaining? If you listen as Camilo's representative explains away the last four months, you can almost hear his feet backtracking their way out of the giant mess he and his player got themselves into. As good as he is though, does Vancouver have a need for him any more?

Reports indicate that both the New England Revolution and Orlando City are pursuing Brazilian national Robinho (as if the former's attack wasn't already potent enough). On the other hand, international interest is bathing New England's Jerry Bengtson, with Rangers showing specific intent.

Real Salt Lake still hasn't lost a match this season, but can they continue to WIN while their three most important players are away with their nations?

Like with other expansion groups, the team heading one of the MLS Minnesota bids have visited with Seattle's front office, as well as the revolutionaries in Sporting Kansas City.

DC United's stadium deal is now in the hands of the District of Columbia city council, according to city Mayor Vincent Gray. Fingers crossed, this thing is finally happening.

Despite some relative success, Seattle's U18 team doesn't show up among Top Drawer's list of the top five programs in MLS.

Other

The fanbase for Detroit City FC, a club in the NPSL, is impressing again. 3,000 packed the house for 4th tier soccer, making this writer believe once again that Detroit would be a city to consider for future MLS expansion. Like with any market, such a bid would require a dedicated owner with deep pockets. All else aside, Detroit has one of the best crests in soccer.