Major Link Soccer: A History of Peter Nowak

Seattle

The big Seattle sports story yesterday was Ken Griffey Jr being voted into the Major League Baseball hall of fame with a record setting 99.3% of voters. This story has nothing to do with Soccer, but our friends over at The Maneland are trying to make themselves a part of the story.

The status of Jordan Morris has been being thoroughly covered on this site, but if you want another perspective on the pros or cons of his staying or leaving, you can check out this piece from Stars and Stripes FC.

MLS

There were two big bits of MLS news yesterday. First, is the potential retirement of Didier Drogba. A multitude of news outlets have reported that his decision to retire and move on to coaching has already been made, but the peacemaker himself denies that it is so clear.

The second story surrounds the revelations of just how bad of a coach (and human being) Peter Nowak appears to have been for the Philadelphia Union. Newly released court documents accuse him of such things as denying that concussions exist, refusing water bottles to players during a 12 mile practice, and both physically and mentally hazing rookie players.

In less dramatic coaching news, Columbus Crew coach Greg Berhalter has been signed to a multi-year contract extension after taking his team to the MLS Cup.

Greg Berhalter is alright, but maybe what the league really needs is an all-star coach imported from a top European League. That's the argument made by World Soccer Talk.

Simon Dawkins has returned to San Jose, and this time he's making the big bucks as a Designated Player.

We are only one week out from the MLS Super Draft. Sometimes it's hard to know whether or not you should get excited about the various events of the MLS off-season, but this one involves the word "Super" and the Sounders have pulled some talented players from this draft in the past.

Our friends at Once a Metro think that they've dodged a bullet with Morris training in Germany, calling it a "win-win."

Diego Fagundez isn't going anywhere after signing a multi-year extension with the New England Revolution.

In a search for talent, the Colorado Rapids are being linked to Mexico's Alan Pulido.

Further showing the value placed on this draft is that the Chicago Fire traded Patrick Nyarko to DC United in a straight swap for a second round SuperDraft pick.

Jeff Larentowicz is the latest MLS player to take advantage of his newfound free-agency. The 32-year-old midfielder has now signed for the LA Galaxy.

Our old friend Peter Vagenas is now the VP of Soccer Operations for the LA Galaxy.

Finally, just since I haven't posted one for a few weeks, here is an article about introducing Pro/Rel in the US.

Other

The Santa Clara Youth Soccer League has seemingly been in a constant struggle with the NFL since the relocation of the San Francisco 49ers. The latest development has been the takeover of the local soccer field to be used as Super Bowl media headquarters. The damage  inflicted on the field would surely last long after the Super Bowl is completed.

The Rochester Rhinos may have just taken home the USL Championship, but there are plenty of struggles off of the field. The team has now been taken over by the USL.