Puget Sound soccer

Jess Fishlock makes the Top 50 Thwacks of 2018 - MUNDIAL MAGAZINE
Well, that's it done for another year. New Year's Eve next. Amateur hour in the pubs. You've got that to look forward to. While you're all sluggish and tired from too much wine and too much turkey, why not nibble on the middle third of our THWACK round-up?

MLS

The Crew is Saved! But is this a good precedent or a bad omen? - Stars and Stripes FC
Is the Saving of the Crew a story about a community and a fan base rallying to save their team? Or is it about a team forcing their city to help them get a new stadium?

Money in MLS: What if it doesn’t matter? - E Pluribus Loonum
Show me the cash, and I’ll show you the correlation — if it exists.

How MLS expansion sides were built: The 2009 Seattle Sounders - Cincinnati Soccer Talk
While FC Cincinnati prepares for its inaugural MLS season, here's how other clubs built their MLS expansion teams, starting with Seattle Sounders FC in 2009.

MLS SuperDraft: Amaya, Robinson to headline Generation adidas class | Goal.com
Major League Soccer has completed the signing of seven top college underclassmen to lead the 2019 MLS Draft class, sources tell Goal

New England Revolution unveil new secondary jersey for 2019 season | MLSsoccer.com

NWSL and other women’s leagues

​The Week in Women's Football: Cyprus Cup field; Seattle Reign's big signing; Atletico Huila claim Copa Libertadores Femenina;​ - Tribal Football
This week we discuss the 12 team lineup for the 2019 Cyprus Cup for National Teams that will serve as training matches for 4 Women's World Cup Sides, discus

USL and other lower leagues

Championship Soccer Stadium to Host Vissel Kobe 2019 USA Tour

World soccer

The weird and wacky world of German soccer clubs below the Bundesliga - Bavarian Football Works
Soccer is massive in Germany. In many ways, the teams from its local leagues are a reflection of the country itself. And in other ways, their names are just plain funny.

NFL’s Oakland Raiders look to Tottenham for possible ground share - Cartilage Free Captain
There might be some black and silver in north London next year.

Former USA international Eddie Johnson confirms Pulisic to Chelsea - We Ain't Got No History
Could this be an unofficial confirmation of the 20-year-old making the move to Stamford Bridge?

EJ was right

OFFICIAL: Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea agree Christian Pulisic deal - Fear The Wall
The American will stay until the end of the season on loan

Pulisic thanks BVB for giving young players a chance, hopes to join Chelsea as Bundesliga champion - We Ain't Got No History
Isn’t it ironic, don’t you think?

OFFICIAL: Christian Pulisic completes €64 million transfer to Chelsea - Stars and Stripes FC
The American will be loaned back to Dortmund to finish the current season.

Best of SB Nation soccer 2018

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Departure Marks The End Of An Era - Managing Madrid
Kiyan’s column on Ronaldo’s departure: Why now, and what’s next?

Examining Clint Dempsey’s legacy in Seattle - Sounder At Heart
Deuce will go down in history as the greatest American to wear Rave Green.

On Hillsborough, Justice, and Seeing the Full Human Person - The Liverpool Offside
A few thoughts on The 96 and seeing the full human person.

In appreciation of Erik Lamela, Tottenham’s do-everything attacker - Cartilage Free Captain
Erik Lamela’s Tottenham career has been anything but smooth, but his perseverance and patience has seen him through two surgeries and thirteen months out of action.

Wearable technology – not sports bras – keep Sporting KC prepared and fit - The Blue Testament
Sporting KC’s Director of Sports Performance and Science and the team captain educate.

Chicago: Kerr’s Kind Of Town - Hot Time In Old Town
Golden Boot aside - Sam Kerr is ready to compete for Chicago in the playoffs

Arsene Wenger: the only Arsenal manager I’ve ever known - The Short Fuse
22 years of the same man in charge leaves Gooners look back while wondering where we go now

The Story Of Reading FC Hero Joe “Bubbles” Bailey - The Tilehurst End
To mark 100 years since the Armistice, we present a long read on one of Reading’s true heroes.