Major Link Soccer: Javier Morales says goodbye to Real Salt Lake

Seattle

Kendall Fletcher, playing in the W-League in Australia this season for Western Sydney Wanderers, is taking on the role of veteran guide for the young Americans on the squad with her, thanks to her experience moving between leagues around the world.

One more little tidbit about Brian Schmetzer being made official (in case you haven't noticed, we're covering it rather heavily) -- Garth Lagerwey gave Brian the news immediately after Seattle clinched a playoff berth on #Decision#Da#y: "You're my guy."

As much as we don't want to even consider the idea that Seattle could lose a player in yet another expansion draft, the expansion teams are definitely already thinking about it. It won't be as bad this time, and Seattle can only lose a single player. So, who is on Atlanta United FC's wish list from the Sounders roster?

Scientists are learning more about the magma plumbing system that feeds Mount St. Helens. I'm mostly putting this here in the hopes that one of our readers can explain what it means, i.e. whether or not we should start packing our cars and driving east.

Kim Little is back in Scotland (*sniff*) and promoting healthy homes free of cigarette smoke with the help of kids and dragons.

Major League Soccer

Javier Morales has announced 2016 is his last year with Real Salt Lake. He hasn't given any clues to his next destination, or his potential retirement, but his time as a fixture of RSL and MLS in general is over. It hasn't been his best year, but his fans will remember him for his whole tenure.

Speaking of RSL departures, will Jeff Cassar be the head coach next year? That question will be answered within the next week, at least internally in the team.

Jelle Van Damme's got no time to worry about getting another yellow in his upcoming playoff clash with Colorado Rapids. Worrying about holding back from "100%" throws him off his game, he says.

Meanwhile, Gio dos Santos has no regrets about joining MLS, saying he's very comfortable at LA and thinks 2016 is the best year of his career. He has three more years on his contract.

The Portland Timbers are in that part of the year where all they can do is watch the playoffs and hand out team awards, so that's exactly what they're doing. Diego Chara picked up multiple awards, and Jack Jewsbury gets recognition in his final year as a player.

Minnesota United FC doesn't have a head coach yet, but their shortlist includes Sigi Schmid (whose wouldn't?) as well as Sporting KC assistant Kerry Zavagnin and Cosmos coach Giovanni Zavarese.

NWSL

Over in Washington Spirit land, things don't seem to be going to well, and Ali Krieger has said goodbye to the club after her trade to Orlando Pride for nothing more than the top allocation order spot. She says she's ready to embrace the change despite the surprise move.

The 2017 NWSL draft will take place in LA on January 12 at the National Soccer Coaches Association of America conference.

US Soccer

Carli Lloyd is on the shortlist for FIFA Women's Player of 2016, and Jill Ellis made the list for Women's Coach of the Year, as well. Some familiar names from around the world fill out the other candidates. Here's the full release from FIFA with the full list of POY candidates.

Here's the letter Tim Howard would send to him self 13 years in the past, if he could, to help him with his fledgling goalkeeping career as he moved to England.

The USMNT now know the rosters of the Mexico and Costa Rica teams they will face in their upcoming matches to open the "Hex."

World

FIFA announced sanctions against many member associations for discriminatory and unsporting conduct and other issues during 2018 World Cup qualifying matches this year. Religious manifestations also earned fines for some.

In a sad story that unfortunately is one of many similar tragedies, the 19-year-old goalkeeper of Gambia's national women's football team has drowned in the Mediterranean trying to reach Europe.

Harvard has cancelled the season for its men's soccer program after an investigation found that participation in creating "vulgar and explicit documents" about women was widespread on the team and has continued for several years.