Major Link Soccer - World Cup Inbound

Seattle

Oba is likely missing Saturday after getting surgery on his nose. That means that it's time once again to get to know Chad Barret.

With all of the players expected to miss this Saturday, Sigi has stated that Thomás Jaguaribe will "definitely" be in the 18 only days after signing his contract.

Matt Pentz has put out a thoughtful piece on Leo Gonzalez, Zach Scott, and the conflict of helping train younger players to take their jobs.

MLS

RSL Soapbox has posted their weekly power ranking averages. Seattle is firmly in first place, our ranking average brought down only by a couple of ridiculous rankings such as the one from AmericanSoccerAnalysis.com that ranks Seattle fourth behind the likes of Toronto, San Jose, and Portland...

After years of trying to get a stadium deal passed in the DC metro area, DC United is reportedly in preliminary discussions in the state of Virginia.

Rumors of a dedicated Canadian league abound, Mount Royal Soccer examines how likely this actually is.

It's no secret that NYCFC has been struggling through their inaugural season. Could bringing in a 36 year old star from Europe turn around their fate mid-season? No, I'm not talking about Frank Lampard this time.

FIFA

The Justice Department has released a transcript of Chuck Blazer's 2013 hearing which includes him admitting to arranging bribes relating to the 1998 world cup.

Interpol is officially getting into the FIFA arresting excitement with the issuance of red notices on four of the indicted FIFA execs.

The New York Times has a chart to help explain how each of the indicted officials fit into FIFA's business

It's come to light now that Sepp Blatter's decision to resign so shortly after the indictments is nothing but a coincidence. In fact, it has "absolutely nothing to do with the accusations" according to his daughter.

In the off chance that you haven't seen it yet, John Oliver's latest segment on FIFA is absolutely worth watching.

World Cup 2015

It's only two days until the World Cup kicks off in Edmonton. SB Nation has posted their World Cup guide and the articles highlighting individual players have started rolling in.

Abby Wambach is done talking about the turf (for now) and is instead talking about her motivation and her reaction to be named as Time magazine's 100 most influential people.

Sydney Leroux is looking forward to a hostile environment in her birth country.

Christen Press was one of many players whose future was in doubt when the WPS folded.

Alex Morgan is now such a prominent figure on the Women's National Team that it's hard to believe she was almost unknown during the last World Cup in Germany.

In addition to these articles, Sports Illustrated has profiles for every player on the US Roster

The Guardian has been writing previews of each of the groups, including Group D where the US will compete against Australia, Sweden and Nigeria.

It is officially time to get hyped for the World Cup. This fan made video is a good start.

USWNT - For Glory from Atlee on Vimeo.