Major Link Soccer: Guzan eyeing a January move to MLS

Major League Soccer Cup

The Eastern Conference Finals set a new record for Canadian MLS viewers, with 1.4 million tuning in to watch the two rivals battle to reach MLS Cup, according to this report from Bell Media.

For a breakdown of key tactical matchups and players to watch for the Sounders and Toronto FC, here's a preview from the Sounders FC site.

The Nutmeg News has an exclusive story about how Sports Illustrated soccer writer Grant Wahl is preparing for MLS Cup -- feverishly googling information on Toronto so he can pretend he attended.

Major League Soccer, NWSL, NASL, USL

US Soccer President Sunil Gulati sat down with the USL and NASL to discuss the state of things, which, for the NASL are not looking too hot. It's not clear what exactly was discussed, but Gulati has a lot of leverage in the situation.

The Tampa Bay Rowdies, for their part, will join USL next year, and many expect them to announce a new stadium soon. The Tampa Bay Times explains how difficult of a prospect that might be, and why.

As for the New York Cosmos, no one ever really knows what's going on there, but rumor has it that billionaire Carlos Slim may swoop in to prop up the club by purchasing it.

Oscar Pareja is your 2016 MLS Coach of the Year, just beating out Pablo Mastroeni for the honor.

Minnesota United FC have signed two veteran Loons to MLS contracts, defenders Kevin Venegas and Justin Davis. Will one of them be the next Zach Scott, raising their game for a bigger stage?

Brad Guzan is taking a good look at MLS for the January transfer window. I mean, if Tim Howard can come play for the Rapids, surely Guzan could fit right in at his hometime Chicago Fire, right?

Speaking of the Fire and transfer targets, the team is apparently ready to snatch striker Nemanja Nikolic before Hull City can sign him from Poland.

Here's a little rumor roundup from MLS Soccer, with the takeaway being that Sean Johnson is looking very likely to be heading to Atlanta United to be their starting 'keeper.

Olympique Lyonnais has made no secret of their pursuit of Orlando Pride's Alex Morgan, and now it appears she might be paying the club a visit as her contract ends at the end of the year.

US Soccer

Becky Sauerbrunn is on the front lines of the negotiations for a new CBA between the USWNT and US Soccer, and she says the two sides are still "far apart."

MLS Soccer has an interview with Bruce Arena, and they've concluded he really is the only man for the open USMNT coaching job.

World

Gareth Bale just had surgery on his ankle, and the original estimate of a 2-3 months recovery is looking to be a little optimistic. The Real Madrid star's injury is worse than originally thought.

Sure, Stefan Frei nearly scored a headed goal this season, but have you ever seen a 'keeper score on a strike like this? No, no you haven't.

In an amazing tribute after an awful tragedy, over 45,000 showed up to the stadium to mourn the Chapecoense players during what would have been their match against Atletico Nacional.