Major Link Soccer: Wenger in, Tuchel out

MLS

Former Sounder, and former about half of MLS, Sebastien Le Toux returned to one of his former homes, Vancouver, last weekend.

Raheem Edwards has earned a call-up and likely his first appearance with the Canadian National Team this international break. The midfielder has played himself onto a roster that is led by Cyle Larin.

Sam Nicholson is on trial at Minnesota United and the want-away from Hearts is making good impressions.

There’s no reason to think Patrick Vieira would want to leave NYCFC, but, if Saint-Étienne is really calling, there is good reason to believe the Frenchmen would return to Ligue 1.

Across the stateline in New Jersey, former French youth international Alexy Bosetti is on trial with the Red Bulls.

Good news, the Houston Dynamo Honduran trio was called up. Bad news, it won’t be till after they play us in Seattle on Sunday.

I love soccer analytics, but Pablo Mastroeni does not. Turns out, he thinks “stats will lose the human spirit every day” - I mean sure you don’t need shots on goal to win an MLS Cup but still...

MLS fined Sebastian Blanco and Tyrone Mears for touching players in the head/neck region, and suspended some guys on teams we are not facing this week.

USA

Turns out that it isn’t just us at Sounder at Heart that think Cristian Roldan should make the USMNT (yes, they spelled his name wrong in the URL).

Reign midfielder Rumi Utsugi has earned a call-up for Japan’s upcoming matches.

If you want a team to root for during the US Open Cup for the Sounders to meet in the final, or just a random underdog, pick Christos FC, an amateur side sponsored by a liquor store who seem pretty fun.

When the 2026 World Cup lands in the US, it’ll lead to a massive windfall for Fox and Telemundo, who got the rights on the cheap after the 2022 tournament moved time-wise from the original agreement.

The USWNT U17s have a June camp in San Diego to start the cycle for qualifying for the next U17 World Cup. The roster includes one Washingtonian.

Bjorn Johnsen had a choice, stick with the USA and hope for a call-up one day in a crowded forward pool, or change allegiance to Norway. If he plays in this WCQ cycle, he’ll be cap-tied to the Scandinavian country.

After “retiring”, Francesco Totti has a couple options: signing with Miami FC or a Roma front office role. I’d take the front office role, but I also don’t have an offer to sign in the NASL anyway...

The IOC appears to be planning on giving Paris the 2024 games instead of Los Angeles, but they’d go to the City of Angels in 2028 if that is the case.

World

Need a pick me up for the day? Watch this ridiculous flop job.

FC Midtjylland is at the top of the game when it comes to analytics, and Tim Sparv is the perfect example.

The perfect shot, where is it? Is it in the six-yard box, or at midfield, or somewhere in between?

Arsene Wenger is signing a new deal at Arsenal, reportedly, and some people are actually okay with that! There may still be a meeting between he and Kroenke on his future, but it is all but done.

Riyad Mahrez almost left Leicester City after winning the EPL last year, but, after their fall from grace this year, the Algerian winger is leaving the club for European football.

David Wagner, a semi-clone of Jurgen Klopp, will be back in the Premier League with promoted Huddersfield. Wagner was going to be a teacher, but Klopp got him to be a coach.

Continuing on the list of coaches connected to Klopp, Thomas Tuchel is out at Borussia Dortmund. After getting the club third place, winning the DfB Pokal, and most importantly landing in the Champions League, he was given his walking papers.

AC Milan does have a backup plan if their teenage starting keeper leaves the club; rivals Juventus and Manchester United may try to grab the standout.

The constant flip flopping on what will happen with Antoine Griezmann! He appears to be out again, telling Atletico Madrid that he’ll be going to Manchester United.

Other things Manchester United are involved in include: winning the Europa League, and not playing any more games this season but refusing to release a player to national team duty till the window opens because...

Over in Germany, 1860 Munich is falling to the third-tier after losing their relegation playoff battle. Also ten cops were injured because of “crowd trouble”.

Football across Europe was full of exciting young players and “rookies” this season, including in the Europa League final which featured multiple top 20 players. To partner with that, here’s a draft of U23 players and who would you take if this was the “NBA”.

On the list of things that should concern you about the Confederations Cup, people marching in blackface beforehand is one of them.

This goal....

What to Watch

MLS

New York City vs New England - 4:30pm - MLS Live

Columbus Crew vs Seattle Sounders - 4:30pm Q13 Fox, MLS Live

Orlando City vs DC United - 4:30pm - MLS Live

Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake - 5:30pm - MLS Live