Major Link Soccer: Eyes on Minnesota

CCL

The CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals started this week, with each of the MLS teams playing their first legs.

The Vancouver Whitecaps kicked it off at Tigres UANL on Tuesday with an early own goal that led to a devastating 0-2 loss. This leaves them with an enormous hole going into the second leg.

Dallas also fell behind early versus Pachuca, but managed to pull even before scoring this beautiful go-ahead free kick goal and finishing the match 2-1.

The return legs for each will take place April 4 and 5, respectively.

MLS

Much to their chagrin, Minnesota United is absolutely dominating the MLS headlines. The most obvious conclusion from their first two matches is that they are simply out of their league.

At this point, it may be too much to hope for a quick turnaround, but maybe they can find a way to at least stop the bleeding.

If there is any good news for Minnesota right now, it's that they aren't the worst expansion side in MLS history (yet).

A lot of people have been looking at whether or not LA has a realistic chance of signing Zlatan, but fewer have been analyzing whether or not the signing would actually be worth it.

Speaking of aging Manchester stars, Bastian Schweinsteiger is rumored to be considering a move to Chicago. While he wouldn't be in the range of Zlatan, it could be a sign that the Fire ownership is finally taking at least a little initiative.

Following up on the drama last week in Orlando, two of the three NYCFC fans charged have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Atlanta United supporters are pushing their fans to a new alternative to the YSA chant that celebrates the Atlanta music scene.

USA

Bruce Arena has announced the full USA roster for the upcoming world cup qualifiers. It seems that the roster may have been tailored to suit Christian Pulisic.

Stars and Stripes has a rundown of the good, the bad, and the ugly from the newly announced roster.

Bobby Wood is already drawing interest from teams with an eye on the summer window. While Hamburg have said they’re not interested in selling, they may not have a choice, according to a report by ESPN.

World

UEFA Champions League quarterfinals wrapped up yesterday. Atletico Madrid held Leverkusen to a draw to move on to their fourth straight quarterfinals, while Monaco recovered from a bad showing in England to best Manchester City on away goals.

Soccer on the Tube

Europa League

1:05pm Manchester United vs Rostov - FS1, ESPN Deportes

1:05pm Borussia Mönchengladbach vs Schalke 04 - FS2

Copa Libertadores

3:30pm Chapecoense vs Lanús - FS2Go

5:00pm Peñarol vs Atlético Tucumán - FS2Go

5:45pm Santa Fe vs Sporting Cristal - FS2Go

5:45pm Santos vs The Strongest - FS2Go