Major Link Soccer: Look Your Paycheck Horse in the Mouth

MLS

In case you haven't seen it yet (yet you got to this article), Sounders are rumored to sign Derlis Gonzalez, you should familiarize yourself with the rumor before it explodes today probably...or fizzes out.

Still a bit head-scratching, but Tony Tchani's move to Vancouver along with GAM and TAM in exchange for Kekuta Manneh is official. Massive Report breaks down the move for Columbus, and EightySixForevertakes a look at it from Vancouver's perspective.

After rumors of Cyle Larin leaving MLS for European pastures, his boss has spoken out, calling them "a lot of talk". I think we all know it's talk with $$$ behind it.

Unlike Larin, Bradley Wright-Phillips is not planning on going back to Europe, it appears, and the Red Bulls top goal scorer showed that by inking a new contract that makes him a DP for the top energy drink side in MLS.

In the world of aggregates, starting 1-1-1 hasn't hurt the Sounders, and the bye week even moved them up a spot in the Power Rankings Averages.

Mike Petke officially is the manager of Real Salt Lake, and an interview turned one RSL Soapbox writer from pessimist to optimist regarding his hire.

Across the conference FC Dallas made a change in manager contract terms - no, Oscar Pareja isn't available, he signed a long-term extension. Terms are unknown, but anything to keep Pareja is worth it for the Texan side.

USA

Not all USL rivalries have deep rooted interests, but OKC and Colorado Springs will have one - at least, a bit playful of one. Former Seattleites Josh Phillips and Miguel Gonzalez grew up together and played for Co. Springs together, but now face off against each other to see who's better once and for all now, or something.

The 2017 Gold Cup groups are shaping up, and the USMNT is getting minnows Nicaragua, Martinique, and a familiar Sounder-represented club (hint they played this week).

Before the USMNT focuses on the Gold Cup, they need to focus on getting through the Hex, including how to get to the automatic qualifying 3rd spot and away from the home-home 4th spot playoff.

2026 will be the first World Cup with 48 teams and CONCACAF will see six spots in it, meaning the US could lose every match in the Hex and still go. Yes, we'll change how we qualify but we can't be hexed in the Hex anymore.

On the USWNT side, Tobin Heath has been ruled out of the Russia friendlies in April after picking up an injury, adding to a growing list of missing senior team players.

After hosting a Basque friendly last summer, Boise is ready for more soccer. The Boise Hawks owners are looking to build a downtown soccer stadium. The real question is, will it be a blue field? (It better be)

Like maps? If you do, good, if you don't, too bad. Here's one of every side participating in the US Open Cup. If it looks to you like not all states have a participant, you're right. If it looks like CA has a lot, also right - they have 19, breaking the previous record of 13.

Rougned Odor's new contract is not soccer-related, but it does raise a meaningful question - do any soccer players have horses included in their contract? And if so, how does MLS count that against the salary cap?

World

The Tri-America (or NAFTA) 2026 World Cup bid now has competition, as Morocco's bid gained support from the CAF president.

Rumors of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to MLS will probably never stop, but they may slow down for a while as the Swedish legend confirmed he is in extension talks with Manchester United.

Charlton Athletic are dedicating their next home match to a supporter, a policeman who died in London's terror attack. Charlton also is donating money to his family from ticket sales and from the team, as all players volunteered their pay for the game as well.

Soccer on TV

Major League Soccer

4:30pm Toronto vs Sporting KC Fox Sports 1

7:00pm Seattle Sounders vs Atlanta United Fox Sports 1 (THIS IS US)

Bundesliga

11:30am Hertha BSC vs Hoffenheim Fox Sports 2