Major Link Soccer: Lampard signs with NYCFC (AGAIN!)

Seattle

Centurylink Field was the only stadium which appeared twice on Stadium Journey's "Top 100 Stadium Experiences of 2014." The Sounders experience was ranked 34th and the Seahawks 75th. Also featured were three other MLS homes (not including Gillette Stadium), two of which include field turf.

Three University of Washington grads and three other collegiate women from the state of Washington are eligible for the NWSL draft.

MLS

Last week we discovered conclusively that Frank Lampard never actually signed with New York City FC. Until this weekend that is, where his dealings with the New York club finally became official.

I hope this is the end of the Lampard drama until he arrives in New York, because I'm tired of it. Obviously the fledgling team's fans are frustrated as well. Hudson River Blue has done some great work on the story, their latest piece taking cracks at the marketing of his previous "signing" as an ingrained piece of New York.

The New York Red Bulls are also in the news in bunches, between our previously mentioned town hall meeting (addressing the firing of Mike Petke) and their new homegrown player Brandon Allen.

Just when it seemed like we had the MLS allocation rules figured out, Jozy Altidore's situation complicates things. The MLS is looking to return to the old Allocation Order even for high-priced DPs, and Toronto FC is at the top of that list.

Some precedence was set when Bryan Namoff's lawsuit against DC United was not chosen to go to trial. Namoff sued the team alleging they rushed him back from a concussion injury, an ailment which ended his career.

If you've got questions about MLS TV coverage in 2015, this article from Awful Announcing may answer your questions.

Watch for the mysterious Dzenan Catic, who scored more than 60 goals in his college career at Davenport. He was one of the standouts in day one of the MLS Combine.

One team may take a chance on the talented Joseph Greenspan from Navy, despite the risk that they may not be able to play him for five years.

Orlando City knows good strategy when they see one. They've signed two young Colombians from Deportivo Cali.

Europe

This section may as well be called "Manchester City" because this section is full of baby blue news. City midfielder Yaya Toure became the first player in history to take the "African Player of the Year" award four years in a row. That matched the record for most times won by a single player as well.

After Manchester City's Frank Lampard shenanigans, UEFA is taking a closer look to make sure the club's finances are on the up-and-up.

As the owner of Cardiff City, Vincent Tan has been wildly unpopular for his decision to change the team's classic blue to his personal preference for red. But the team will be going back to their historical precedent after Tan's mother convinced him to listen to the fans.

Other

This writer has a huge appreciation for the visual artists who work on things like mock-up soccer kits. At behance.net, there is a new set of such jerseys for Star Wars. Included are three GORGEOUS variations for the Rebel Alliance. Not nerdy enough for you? Six houses from A Song of Fire and Ice got the same treatment. They also did some NFL kits in October, like this timely entry:

I leave you with a guy who isn't particularly good at flying drones, but could make for a pretty good keeper