Major Link Soccer: Jesse Gonzalez is officially a USMNT-eligible player

Seattle

The dreams of Derlis Gonzalez are still alive, despite his being at Dynamo Kiev’s training camp, and it has Sounder at Heart readers salivating. Here’s how Mackalackin sees Derlis potentially fitting into the Sounders lineup.

Not all readers are pleased with the state of the team, though. Ssfcrox laments the weakened lineup played in the Open Cup, among other things, and asks: Are we supposed to not care?

Jess Fishlock talks to Excelle Sports about how she has dealt with social media abuse and hate directed at her sexual orientation for years, and reveals her strategies for dealing with it and combating it.

Haley Kopmeyer has a ‘mind like a goldfish,’ and says that young goalkeepers should be trained to be just as immediately forgetful of their ups and downs as those common aquatic pets.

Just soak in this smug smile. Is the Honey Badger ever happier then just after he has caused the Timbers emotional pain? Rarely.

Major League Soccer

Midfielder Matias Perez Garcia is out at Orlando City after he and the club were unable to reach an agreement on a new contract.

The New York Red Bulls will be without Mike Grella for the rest of the season after needing to have surgery to correct a knee problem that has been nagging the 30 year old.

Unlike what the English tabloids would likely say, Ashley Cole came to LA partially to get out of the spotlight, and so far it’s working well for him as much of the pressure is off.

US Open Cup

The Open Cup is really fun this year, and after FC Cincinnati and ESPN put on a great show, it’s time for the USOC to get more coverage and hype. After the big spectacle, it’s no surprise some are saying this is a boost for Cincinnati’s MLS hopes.

Some would even say it shows the unlimited potential of soccer in the USA.

US Soccer

The US Soccer Federation has been cleared of any wrongdoing in their bid to secure the 2018 World Cup, after a lengthy investigation. A document known as the Garcia Report leaked and then was released by FIFA, and it says USSF did everything above the board in their failed bid.

The report doesn’t reflect so kindly on former FIFA official Jack Warner, who claims his innocence and also claims that USSF is actually guilty of corruption.

It’s finally official: FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez has had his one-time switch of federations approved by FIFA, meaning the Mexican youth international will from now on be a USMNT-eligible player. He’ll join the list of competing candidates for the future man in the net for the US.

Stars and Stripes FC wants to know: Is Cristian Roldan the center midfielder the USMNT needs? Before you reflexively answer yes, check out their take on it.

World

It’s one thing to sneak off to a friend’s house or a bar to watch a match you can’t possibly miss, but this Mexican fan apparently told his wife that he was headed to the store to get cigarettes, and instead got on a plane to Russia to be in attendance for Mexico’s games in the Confederations Cup.

Speaking of Mexico in the Confed Cup, Juan Carlos Osorio says that the 4-1 scoreline in their loss to Germany was “unfair” in the sense that Mexico deserved more goals for the way they played.

Safe standing sections look likely to be coming to English stadiums at some point soon, and Liverpool fans want their owners to join in the conversation.

The very experienced Simon Grayson (who is almost definitely just Chad Barrett who has come back from 20 years in the future) is Sunderland AFC’s new manager.