Major Link Soccer: The Start of Midweek MLS

Seattle

FourFourTwo has a feature on how the Sounders make use of data to improve their decision making. It may be an inopportune time to talk about "how the Sounders are staying ahead", but it's a positive article nonetheless.

MLS

In the first midweek MLS action of 2017, the New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes played to a nil-nil draw.

Howler has a complete breakdown of the FC Dallas' goal that they didn't actually manage to score last weekend.

MLS Owners are reportedly mulling another increase to TAM/Garber Bucks. The change would not take place this year, but would inject more money for the 2018 season if approved.

LAFC, like every single expansion team before it, is determined to set a new standard for how expansion teams enter the league.

They certainly seem to be setting a new standard for the number of stadium renders being released.

LAFC will be the third MLS team to call LA home, and the ghosts of Chivas USA continue to be seen around the league.

The Timbers are also talking stadium plans with the expansion of Providence Park. Merritt Paulson has tweeted about it before immediately deleting it, so you know that it must be true.

Portland forward Fanendo Adi will be suspended for one match after throwing an elbow in his last match against Kansas City.

World

As many continue to associate FIFA with open corruption, the organization is struggling to attract sponsors for the 2018 World Cup.

I don't think anybody knows what Perth's goalkeeper was thinking when he started to take the ball up to midfield. It didn't end well.