Major Link Soccer: Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid get transfer bans

MLS Superdraft Fallout

Sounder at Heart published a lot of stories yesterday, so there will be a bit of 'in case you missed it' here. The Superdraft happened (or, the first two rounds did), and Seattle Sounders picked up left back Joevin Jones, left-footed centerback Tony Alfaro, and midfielder Zach Mathers. In comments yesterday, GM Garth Lagerwey talked about the moves, saying they were mostly about depth.

Alfaro was the only Division II player among the 60 at the MLS Combine, but it didn't bother him.

Of course Lagerwey couldn't go before the media without being asked about Jordan Morris.

Highly rated former Sounders Academy goalkeeper Ryan Herman was picked 17th overall by FC Dallas after the Sounders opted not to offer him a Home Grown contract.

Bruce Arena, after LA opted to sell their draft pick for Targeted Allocation Money, skipped out early back to his underground lair, apparently unable to spend more than an hour or so in the city of Baltimore. He even missed the photoshoot:

Apparently Bruce Arena has left Baltimore, as the #lagalaxy traded away its only pick today. https://t.co/vZO9tV37y6

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) January 14, 2016

The #MLS head coaches ladies and gents. The champ gets to hold the ball. #MLSSuperDraft pic.twitter.com/yFzRZ2sAF4

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) January 14, 2016

Japanese player Tsubasa Endoh survived a close encounter the Fukushima earthquake five years ago, and yesterday his journey led to being picked ninth overall by Toronto FC.

Speaking of the draft itself, the percentage of American-born latinos among the available talent is amazingly low, and Paul Gardner of Soccer America finds this to be indicative of a much larger problem in American soccer player development.

Also, Michael Parkhurst made fun of Chivas USA, which might make him a jerk.

Seattle

OK, with all that out of the way, there was also the exciting news yesterday that the Seattle Reign are partnering with Seattle United to start a youth academy.

Also, the Reign's Havana Solaun was called up to US U23 camp, despite her recent injury recovery.

Everyone in MLS wants Jordan Morris in MLS (ok, everyone in Seattle). MLS Commissioner Don Garber yesterday said that Morris represents the future of the league. [Video]

Major League Soccer

Soccer clubs are also regular old businesses, and MLS released the winners of the Club and Executive awards yesterday. I was really pulling for Seattle to win Partnership Marketing Activation of the Year, but sadly no Sounders staff won anything.

It seems Colorado Rapids won't sign Alejandro Bedoya, but Alan Pulido is close to joining the Western Conference club.

Didier Drogba can clearly still tear up Major League Soccer with goals, but will he choose the cushy Chelsea desk job?

The New York Red Bulls and DC United are in the practice of making secret trades for draft picks and not telling anyone.

Atlanta United's stadium may actually be completed before Orlando City SC's field. Also, the Georgia team has final approval on their plan for a training facility.

Now that the NFL is returning to LA in a big way, what does that mean for soccer, especially LAFC which has yet to establish its own fanbase?

Other US Leagues

Sydney Leroux finally gets what she wants, which is to play at FC Kansas City. In a three-way trade with Western New York and Houston, Leroux and husband Dom Dwyer are reunited geographically.

It has been rumored for a while, and now it's confirmed: Forward Lindsey Horan has joined the Portland Thorns.

The New York Cosmos are inching closer to a deal for a stadium at Belmont on Long Island, but they have other locations if that falls through.

The Cosmos announced yesterday that Jairo Arrieta has joined the club from DC United.

World

Both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have been banned from making transfers for the next two trade windows because of violations of the rules in the contracts of under-18 players (RM coach Zinedine Zidane's son was one of these players). Yeah, right, says Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who said outright that the teams would appeal and the ban would be lifted.

FIFA has levied fines against Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay for anti-gay chants by their national team's fans at matches.