Major Link Soccer: Sounders Hydra offense reared its Heads

Seattle

Brad Evans debuted Sunday in his new role as centerback; Tyrone Mears started at rightback and added an assist in his first game. Both players impressed in the first outing of the season. Some are saying Seattle's defense could be a new strength for Seattle. Not that they'll be overtaking the Hydra any time soon...

Changes are in the works all around at Starfire; seats are to be added for S2, and the Academy is creating another full time team.

Preseason training started Monday for the Seattle Reign, as GM and Coach Laura Harvey returns for her third season at the helm. The Reign will play their first friendly of the preseason against the University of Portland on Saturday, March 28 at 7pm in Portland. The team will return to play an exhibition match against the University of Washington at Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 3 at 7pm.

After the Sounders performance on Sunday night, there's little doubt Seattle is Number One in the first power rankings of the season. Don't forget to vote for Dempsey's "Goal of the Week."

MLS

Beckham Miami, Miami FC, or just a plain old "Fish out of Water FC". David Beckham's vision of glam and glitz soccer on South Beach is looking like it could be three strikes and you're out.

Opening weekend in MLS was full of "Highs and Lows" all thanks to the new CBA that some feel was more like a tie than a win for the players.

Cameron Porter proved first impressions are long-lasting. Porter barely received an invite to the MLS Combine, but impressed enough to get drafted 45^th overall. Porter showed Montreal enough to get a contract, and last Tuesday it all paid off when he was called upon when it mattered most.

US Soccer

Tim Howard talks about his move to Manchester United, his divorce, the World Cup, and Everton's current struggles in the EPL. Howard plans to come back from his yearlong sabbatical this fall when World Cup qualifying starts.

In preparation for the 2016 Olympics qualifications, the US U23 team will be preparing regularly. Their first chance to gather will be this month against both Bosnia and Denmark.

Speaking of qualifications, the baby Nats control their own destiny. The US U17 team plays Jamaica today and with a victory, they would earn a spot in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

World Soccer

The "No Look Pass" is a thing of beauty when done correctly; these six players take it to another level all together.

In a revelation that shouldn't come as a shock to anybody, it's been revealed that the 2014 World Cup's most expensive stadium, the Estadio Mane Garrincha in Brasilia, is currently being used as a bus depot.

"Say what?"

Fail of the week belongs to an Indonesian sportswear company.

Player managers have always been somewhat of an oddity. On the player side they are usually past their prime and on the manager side they are usually in their infantile stages of management. Player/Manager Mark Bentley is proving that stereotype to be false.

Goal of the Week Nominees and one knockout