Major Link Soccer: Obafemi Martins’ advice for DeAndre Yedlin

Major League Soccer

Two more high-profile head injuries during recent matches once again call into question MLS’ concussion protocol. Kellyn Acosta, Matt Hedges (the two Dallas players collided with eachother) and Yamil Assad were all allowed to re-enter their matches shortly after they suffered hard knocks to the head, and everyone from Taylor Twellman to the Portland Timbers doctor have questions.

New York Red Bulls’ home unbeaten streak is over, thanks to a 3-1 loss to LA Galaxy. Maybe more fans need to show up to their lovely, soccer-specific stadium? Oh, wait, you have to take the PATH train? Nevermind.

Oh man, do we even want to look at the Power Ranking Averages from RSL Soapbox? I guess it should be encouraging that most rankers see Seattle as much better than their record.

The Miami Bend it Like Beckhams gave a presentation at a town hall with their latest $300 million stadium plan. The plan calls for the STADIUM TO OPEN IN 2021.

Greg Seltzer at MLSSoccer.com has a list of 10 overseas targets MLS teams should be talking to for the summer transfer window. They include some US players, MLS retreads and some intriguing ideas. Anyone you want for the Sounders?

The Galaxy will have to share their stadium with NFL for longer than they thought, thanks to rain delays on the construction of the massive new LA stadium.

We know the Sounders will be hosting the Timbers, but here’s all the 4th-round matchup scenarios for MLS teams and others in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.

Seattle

Ryan Krasnoo brings us back to that epic battle 2012 battle between Real Salt Lake and the Seattle Sounders that included some outstanding goalkeeping and the one audacious strike that (barely) found its way into the net. That series really cranked the RSL/SSFC rivalry up to the highest level.

Former Sounders third-round pick Emir Alihodzic signed with the USL’s Saint Louis FC. Born in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Emir grew up in the Saint Louis area.

The Equalizer soccer has a Q&A with Seattle Reign’s Christine Nairn, touching on her veteran status in NWSL, Seattle’s big win over Washington Spirit, and Nairn’s personal life.

Brian Strauss has a cool interview and story about DeAndre Yedlin, his career so far, and the specific advice from globetrotting teammate Obafemi Martins that has helped him through the ups and downs.

Do you want to donate to a fundraiser that will make direct difference in kids’ lives, will not cost all that much to accomplish, and everyone can get behind? Look no further than this effort to simply pay off the entire “school lunch debt” of Seattle Public Schools students.

US Soccer

Whenever there’s $100 million just sitting around, pretty much everyone has an idea on how it should be spent. But, yeah, why does US Soccer have $100 mil in the bank, and what are they doing with it?

World

French national team coach Didier Deschamps will not be ending Karim Benzema’s “exile” from international duty anytime soon. The manager made it clear the harmony of the total squad comes before everything else.

What would it be like if the Premier League had playoffs? FiveThirtyEight predicts what would happen, and then goes back to explore an alternate Prem-with-playoffs history since 1992!

The Chinese Super League craziness is definitely not what it was. Two Australian players terminated their contracts with Liaoning Whowin after not receiving paychecks.

The Bundesliga has its first female center referee: Bibiana Steinhaus!

In leg 1 of the Liga MX semifinals, Toluca snagged a late draw against Chivas with an impressive free kick from Fernando Uribe.

And check out this goal from the other semifinal, Tigres 2-0 Tijuana: