Major Link Soccer: Misery Loves Company

Seattle

It could be argued that the Seattle Sounders biggest game of the season is Sunday against the Houston Dynamo. A victory in Sunday's game would guarantee Seattle a spot in the playoffs.

Tacoma Stars signed two veterans for the 2015-16 season. Tacoma Head Coach/General Manager Darren Sawatzky announced the signing of Jamar Beasley and Dan Antoniuk. Both players bring over ten years of professional experience to the team.

University of Washington goalkeeper Ryan Herman earned "Player of the Week" honors with his stellar performances last week. Herman blanked Stanford and California on the Huskies road trip.

Major League Soccer

If you're a DC United fan you might want to get to the stadium early on Sunday. It will be "Throw Back Jersey Day" for the first 5000 fans as DC throws it all the way back to 1996.

MLS will reportedly set to make use of a video referee in 10 to 15 non-competitive games at the end of October (aren't the playoffs after October?) with the focus being on goals, penalty kicks and red cards.

U.S. Soccer

The USMNT is riding a three-game losing streak on home soil. That nasty taste in your mouth got worse with last night's defeat to Costa Rica. Will the ship be righted in time for World Cup qualifying come November? Maybe ask Dave Clark what he believes.

The United States under-23 national team defeated Canada to earn a trip to Rio for a one game playoff against Colombia in March. The winner will punch their ticket to the 2016 Olympics.

Emmanuel Hilton was born with no legs in the African nation of Congo. Left to die on the streets he was rescued and brought to an orphanage. Given a chance by a family in Pittsburgh, Hilton (who couldn't speak English a year ago) now defies all odds on the soccer field.

Soccer is changing in America. It is more popular than ever, more kids are playing, and the level everywhere you look is improving. But at what cost? Is the 1% more important than the 99%, and who decides?

World Soccer

We all know Zlatan Ibrahimovic can do wondrous things on the soccer field, but did you know he can sing. The "Great Ibra" was awarded a gold record in Sweden for his version of the Swedish national anthem.

The French do every thing with a certain "Je ne sais quoi" but combing sex, soccer, extortion, and a few washed up players might be a bit extreme.

Cristiano Ronaldo loves to dress up for awards. Ronaldo received his record fourth Golden Boot award on Tuesday for being the leading goalscorer in all of Europe's domestic leagues last season, and he looked good at it.

There is something about a game that unifies a country, Sunday night Albania qualified for their first international tournament and set off celebrations all over the country. 20 years ago war ravaged Albania and now it's citizens danced in the streets with joy over their team.

The European Championship qualifying group stage is over and the playoffs begin. Twenty teams have qualified directly and eight more will battle it out for the remaining four spots

Goals of the week: International Style