Major Link Soccer: 2017 kicks off with no surprises

Seattle

Tuesday signified the official start of the 2017 for the Seattle Sounders. Going into the season there will be many changes to the team: here are four to start with.

The Sounders seem to still be chasing an attacking option for 2017, and two names that continue to pop up are Victor Ibarbo and Hiroshi Kiyotake. The article (in Italian) states offers are on the table for both players. they don't think Ibarbo will make the jump; Kiyotake, on the other hand, could be convinced.

U.S. Soccer

When it comes to the USMNT, the nature of who you are, where you are born, and what defines that enters the conversation these days just as much as "can you play the game". I say if they can help by putting the ball into the old onion bag then sign them up.

There was a lot of interest from the English Premier League for the signature of Christin Pulisic, but the young American has chosen to stay at the Westfalenstadion.

United States international Terrence Boyd has left RB Leipzig for Dumpsterfire Darmstadt, signing a contract with the club until 2018.

After signing a contract extension with Arsenal, USMNT player Gedion Zelalem is being loaned out to Dutch second division side VVV Venlo. The young talent will be going out on his second loan spell, having already spent a year in Scotland's second division with Rangers.

Being out of the mix for NYCFC might be a good thing for Mix Diskerud? Diskerud's time in New York has seen him lose his starting spot, his roster spot, and a spot on the USMNT.

World Soccer

CONCACAF Champions League has been revamped. How that will affect the Seattle Sounders and when will they start play are the real questions, both of which seem unanswered at this point.

In 2014 Barcelona was sanctioned for violations of Article 19. One of the players affected by this sanction was American Ben Lederman. A long two years have come full circle for him after he obtained a Polish passport.

Brazilian side Corinthians are trying their damnedest to sign Didier Drogba. The Brazilians have offered the 38 year old $120k a week, flights, an armored car, a home in noble neighborhood, and a translator.

Making the most of every type of opportunity is something Jose Mourinho is good at. Now, if you're a ball boy and haven't figured that out, well then you just may be out of a job.

Major League Soccer

Sebastian Giovinco could be making the jump to China. The Italian has received a "huge" offer from China, and China likes to make Godfather offers, so this is probably a thing to keep an eye on.

He came into the league being compared to Pele, when he left the league no one really cared, and now, after a few years scraping the bottoms of soccer pyramids around the globe, he's (potentially) back. Freddy Adu is resurfacing on trial with the Portland Timbers

Winning the MAC Hermann Trophy means you are the best player in college soccer. Being the best player in college soccer, however, doesn't always transition well to the professional ranks.

Greg Garza hopes he has found a home in Atlanta. "I have tattoos all over my body just kind of telling my story -€” one of them is a gypsy woman; I kind of call myself a gypsy. My wife and I really don't have a home."

A $200 million soccer stadium as part of a $1 billion redevelopment of the Qualcomm Stadium property in San Diego's Mission Valley was proposed Monday, with a citizens ballot initiative drive as the vehicle to bring it about.

English born player Dom Dwyer has had a run of good luck plying his trade in America. From junior college to the pros, Dwyer has done one thing consistently - score goals (well, two things, really - annoy other teams' fans isn't as quantifiable, though). Will his dream of international stardom be next?

Goals of the Week: Military World Cup wonder, Training ground trick works, and Brilliance.