Major Link Soccer: Bob Bradley rumors in EPL, MLS

Seattle

Along with clearing the red line, the Seattle Sounders have joined the crew of "playoff favorites." Those two statements may seem correlated, and one may even struggle to describe how they're different. But...

The Sounders' success over their first eight seasons has been assisted by the lack of successful sporting competition, as the Mariners have been mostly terrible for 14 seasons now (makes even this 26 year-old feel old.) But the team is two games out of a playoff spot with four to play, and their (relative) success has boosted tv ratings. It may be unlikely that they see a postseason this year, but I'd recommend everyone go out and support the M's this weekend all the same. *

When @CristianRoldan and @JmoSmooth13 make a promise, you can bet they'll deliver #SEAvCHI pic.twitter.com/amLvrb43sC

— Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) September 29, 2016

MLS

Cordell Cato played in his 100th MLS match as the San Jose Earthquakes lost to the Montreal Impact. Chris Wondolowski failed to convert a late penalty that could have tied the game and given the club some semblance of a playoff chance.

Vancouver Whitecaps clinched a top seed in the next round of CONCACAF Champions League games with a 4-1 thrashing of Central FC. They managed that big victory at home without most of their starters, who will be well-rested and ready for Seattle's visit Sunday.

Everyone wants a piece of Bob Bradley right now. Currently coaching in France, both the EPL's Swansea City and MLS' LAFC have reportedly expressed interest. Should Swansea sign him, Bradley would be the first American to coach in England's top flight.

It wasn't exactly #DempseyWatch, but Atlanta United did work to first keep the identity of their new head coach mostly under wraps, then dramatically reveal it for all to see.

The Ottawa Fury are just the latest NASL club seemingly looking to jump ship and swim for USL island, but to do that they'd need to apply to the Canadian Soccer Association first.

There may be either a rebranding or some NWSL expansion work going in North Carolina, where local ownership is trademarking some generic new names.

Sky Blue's Christy Holly answered questions for Once a Metro about coaching in his "home state" and putting the club in playoff contention. Matt Beard of the Boston Breakers discusses the tribulations of the league's lowest team and how that can be fixed.

World

The worst of Sam Allardyce's legacy may be that he saved Sunderland from relegation, set them up for success, and then left it all behind just in time to leave coaching in disgrace.

DraftKings is looking into the case of a recent $1 million dollar winner who may have been colluding with a relative.

*My favorite thing about that chart is that the teams are attached to their proper cities (save for bay area teams.) Say hello to the Dallas Rangers and Phoenix Diamondbacks.