Major Link Soccer: Rise of the Red Bulls

Seattle

Resident goal machine Obafemi Martins talked to Ross Fletcher about his trademark goal celebration, something that we all look forward to seeing many more times this year.

The Sounders vs Portland pulled strong ratings with an estimated 438,000 viewers on ESPN.

MLS

Obligatory weekly statement from Beckham about getting closer to building a stadium in Miami.

The New York Red Bulls currently have the highest Points Per Game in the league at 1.68. Soccer America is holding them up as the gold standard of MLS.Over at Once A Metro, they are crediting "Papa Red Bull" and "Ralphball" for their current run of success.

Things aren't going quite so well on the other side of the Hudson. NYCFC is dealing with major cases of management turmoil and supporter experience.

The Sounders will lose some players for the international window, but we can count ourselves lucky not to be in the position of the Columbus Crew who have had eight players called up. Massive Report does their best to predict a lineup in the face of this glaring gap.

San Jose Earthquakes will be losing only three players, but among them is former Seattle Sounder Cordell Cato. He'll represent his native Trinidad & Tobago against Mexico tomorrow.

Orlando City has been struggling defensively, so it comes as a bit of a surprise that they are loaning their promising young defender Adam Bedell off to Danish first division side HB Køge.

As for our impending opponent Toronto FC, they are enjoying their newfound success and the growing fan base that is turning BMO Field into a fortress. Unfortunately for them, they'll be playing in the Clink this weekend.

USA

Jurgen Klinsmann has confirmed that Brad Guzan will retain his starting spot at least through the Confederations Cup playoff match against Mexico despite the return of Tim Howard.

The Secretary of Defense is not the only player who will have to work if he wants to regain his starting role. Multiple players (mostly based in Europe) who missed recent matches will have to prove themselves in the upcoming friendlies.

Carli Lloyd is enjoying her post-World Cup tour, hanging out around the world with Football players and Futbol players alike.

Dream come true to meet the greatest player to ever play the game! Thank you @Argentina and Messi. pic.twitter.com/ffz0R8JBDS

— Carli Lloyd (@CarliLloyd) September 1, 2015

World

The Premier League transfer window has closed. Here is a list of every transfer made during the window.

The dollar values, as always, are astounding to look at and raise the question of whether Financial Fair Play is doing it's job of reining in spending.