Major Link Soccer: Real Madrid close to signing on as 2017 MLS All-Star Game opponent

Major League Soccer

It sounds like 34-time Spanish champions Real Madrid will be the opponent for the 2017 MLS All Star Game in Chicago on August 2. The deal isn't complete but sources say it's all but done. Cristiano Ronaldo will be coming off of the Confederations Cup with Portugal, but it may be that he's contractually obligated to play in such a preseason exhibition game anyway.

That's in addition to having a preseason Clásico against Barçelona in Miami. Barça will also take on Juventus and Manchester United in the US this summer, according to a leaked schedule (unconfirmed but the clubs).

Kyle Beckerman has a lingering knee injury (bone bruise) that may keep him out of RSL's opener against Toronto FC at home, although GM Craig Waibel won't rule the veteran midfielder out of the equation.

The 'Messi of Albania' is playing for San Jose now, and he is getting high praise from his coach and teammates after the first closed-door scrimmage in which he participated. Jahmir Hyka, 28, will wear the number 10 for Dominic Kinnear, and will occupy that attacking midfielder spot.

There are exciting developments in MLS this year, from VAR to big signings to expansion teams, but is Liga MX poised to be the easiest top-flight North American soccer to watch for a casual fan? They have signed a deal with Facebook to stream certain matches for free. The Mane Land says MLS shouldn't be worried, but rather see it as a testament to soccer's growing popularity.

Will Atlanta United's Josef Martinez win the golden boot? Before a minute of MLS action, it might be a little early to say, but that's what preseason is for, right? Here's Dirty South Soccer's take on his chances.

Seattle

DeAndre Yedlin dropped down to the Championship from the Premier League when his stint on Tottenham's books ended, but rather than shrinking into obscurity, he is now being called the best fullback in the league.

Here's SBI's preview of the Seattle Sounders' upcoming season. Like any champion, they begin their title defense with a target on their back. Or even, as the article states, as "the hunted."

The Charleston Post and Courier has a great interview and feature on Osvaldo Alonso returning to Charleston and about how things have come full circle since his days playing for the Charleston Battery.

US Soccer

And now for your young overseas USMNT striker updates: Bobby Wood seems to be ready to return to the field for Hamburg to take on Bayern Munich, after he was sidelined with an injury. OK, this one is actually about Christian Pulisic's father, but he has left his son's side at Borussia Dortmund to take an assistant coaching job with Rochester Rhinos of the USL.

How are things looking at centerback for the USMNT? Goal.com has a depth chart for left centerback, and the inconsistent John Brooks still tops it, but he has little room for error at this point with other options on the table for Bruce Arena.

World

Oh how the (briefly) mighty have fallen. Claudio Ranieri and Leicester City have parted ways after poor results.

History was made as Chan Yuen-Ting became the first woman to coach a men's team in continental competition. Her team, Eastern Sports Club of Hong Kong, took on Luis Felipe Scolari and Guangzhou Evergrande in the Asian Champions League. It was a lopsided 7-0 loss, but a great moment nonetheless.

With the Oscars coming up, here are 12 sports stories from the past year or so that would make potential winning award-winning movies (yep, Leicester City's crazy season is on there).