The MLS Hot Stove is starting to heat up as teams try to fill and improve their rosters. Liverpool keep their place atop the league, Vivianne Miedema simply refuses to stop scoring goals, and Mexico unveils a new jersey. Weston McKennie’s going to be out for a bit, and Julie Ertz is the US Soccer Female Player of the Year.

Seattle/Tacoma

The Seattle Sounders ranked 3rd behind Atlanta United and Tigres for attendance among all teams in professional leagues in US and Canada, and Liga MX. Taking Attendance 12/8/2019: This One Goes To 112 – kenn.com blog

The organizations unveiled a completely made-over gym at Valley View Early Learning Center. Seattle Sounders FC, RAVE Foundation & MLS WORKS unveil 2019 MLS Cup Legacy Project at Valley View Early Learning Center | Seattle Sounders FC

No club could match the Seattle Sounders’ combination of consistency and excellence, argues Bobby Warshaw in ranking them his MLS club of the decade. MLS best clubs of the decade: No. 1, Seattle Sounders | MLSsoccer.com

MLS/USL

The swing from a possible $6.5 million contract to a TAM one is quite the shift. BREAKING: Toronto FC have reportedly re-signed captain Michael Bradley to TAM contract - Waking The Red

LA Galaxy safe-standing section is Victoria Block - LAG Confidential
It's pretty nice.

Another South American starlet may be on the way to MLS. This time it’s...another young Paraguayan attacking midfielder, 19 year-old Ivan Franco. Highly touted Paraguayan attacking midfielder bound for MLS? | MLSsoccer.com

There are worse positions to stockpile talent, but picking up a second presumably DP striker on the heels of also grabbing Khiry Shelton does seem like potential over-kill. Report: Sporting Kansas City make bid for Red Star Belgrade striker | MLSsoccer.com

Houston don’t have a goalkeeper, so they’re trying to sign one. They seem to think they’ve found their man in a Czech ‘keeper playing in Scotland. Report: Houston Dynamo in pursuit of St. Mirren goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky | MLSsoccer.com

Getting to know SKC’s new star with some of the folks who know him best. Rigo Ayala from Chivas Del Norte joins the folks of the Blue Testament to answer their questions. Is Alan Pulido Really a Striker for Sporting KC? - The Blue Testament

Carlo Ancelotti isn’t doing anything right now, so he might as well come coach in MLS. I personally think it would be funny to see it happen, so I hope that it does. Seltzer: Three good destinations in MLS for Carlo Ancelotti | MLSsoccer.com

A club record transfer fee is a club record transfer fee, but the money the Quakes shelled out to sign Espinoza on a permanent deal is a long way from what SKC paid for Pulido. Transfermarkt has the number at $2.3 million. What the Cristian Espinoza, Sacha Kljestan deals mean for San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy | Tom Bogert | MLSsoccer.com

“Which players will be bought and sold in January” is a remarkably broad question, and one that will certainly shape what the beginning of the season looks like at the very least. Wiebe: Five unanswered questions this MLS offseason | MLSsoccer.com

It looks like LAFC have swooped up another promising young player in Uruguayan central midfielder Francisco Ginella. He’s reportedly moving from Montevideo Wanderers after LAFC paid $2.5 million for 75% of his rights. Gran paso | Urugol

Charlotte has a billionaire owner in David Tepper, so they shouldn’t be reliant on public money. They’re still apparently getting it, though, to the possible tune of $110 million. Here’s how other cities handled MLS public funding | Charlotte Observer

USL League 2 is losing a team, but the professional soccer landscape in Canada appears to be growing as Victoria Highlanders FC leave for the newly formed Pacific Coast Soccer League. Highlanders League Update 2020, 2021 and beyond - Victoria Highlanders

I don’t know that they necessarily needed the rebrand, but it’s nice to see a team do it well for a change. Battery Unveil New Branding, New Logo

Look, this is terrible, and we definitely shouldn’t laugh about it, but I can’t help but imagine the coach who punched the referee yelling “Yoo think yuh bettah than me,” as he did it. UPSL playoff match abandoned after coach punches referee

Atlanta United today announced a multi-year contract extension with FOX Sports South and FOX Sports Southeast to remain as the club’s exclusive regional television rights holder. The networks have televised all regionally available matches since the inaugural season in 2017 and will continue to do so through 2022. Atlanta United Announces Multi-Year Contract Extension with FOX Sports South and FOX Sports Southeast | Atlanta United FC

A Whitecaps FC branded tank with the No. 9 on it has rolled into downtown Vancouver and was spotted parked outside BC Place Sunday morning. There's a Whitecaps tank parked outside of BC Place right now | Offside

Paul Rothrock, a Sounders Academy product, scored the first goal for Georgetown to tie the game up in the first half. He and the Hoyas would go on to win their first ever national title in penalties. Georgetown outlasts Virginia in 2019 College Cup for first national championship | NCAA.com

Kyle Beckerman is out of contract, Tyler Miller is likely pursuing his options in Europe, and Diego Valeri’s return to Portland isn’t yet official. Five MLS players whose futures are still in limbo ahead of 2020 | Charles Boehm | MLSsoccer.com

NWSL

Jess Fishlock claims her rightful place in the XI. Which other ten players join her in the list of standouts over the past seven seasons? The NWSL Team of the Decade - All For XI

USA

This was the right decision for overall on-the-field contributions. Julie Ertz is US Soccer’s female player of the year - Stars and Stripes FC

What’s that they always say about never meeting your heroes? Well, Gregg Berhalter’s team faces a tough test. USA to play Netherlands in 2020 friendly - Stars and Stripes FC

It’s hardly ideal to have a budding star potentially out or limited for 3 to 4 months. That appears to be the situation for McKennie after picking up an injury in his game this weekend. Weston McKennie carted off early in Schalke match with dislocated shoulder | MLSsoccer.com

World

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp rejects suggestions top clubs want more Champions League games as Liverpool prepare for two games less than 24 hours apart. Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool boss rejects Champions League expansion claims - BBC Sport

It’s a beautiful image to be shaped in, frankly. Liverpool are thriving as the team becomes more and more like the manager. Jürgen Klopp Has Shaped Liverpool in His Image - The Ringer

Racism is a scourge of the world of sports, just as the rest of society, and like every other part of life it’s moved to the internet. The anonymity and ability to dish out hate without seeing the immediate impact are just part of why racism is so able to fester online. Foul play: how racism towards black footballers is moving online | Football | The Guardian.

It’s good to see Lukaku flourishing again, and all the better if he and Martinez can help Inter push Juventus for the title. Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez give Antonio Conte's Inter Milan a superstar strike partnership | StatsBomb

Kim Little put away a penalty and Miedema scored what I only assume were here 100th and 101st goals of the season, but an injury cast a shadow over Arsena’s win against Everton. Vivianne Miedema keeps Arsenal clear at summit but Mead injury mars win | Football | The Guardian

Mexico’s newest jersey is pretty sharp. I personally really like the different colored bands and stripes on each side, and the fact that the pattern apparently continues on the back. Adidas Mexico 2020 Away Kit Revealed - Footy Headlines

Good thing they’ll be out from under the ban in January. It took a while, but the burden of Chelsea’s transfer ban is finally here - We Ain't Got No History

We’re happy too, Trent. Honestly, who wouldn’t be? Trent Alexander-Arnold Is Happy To Play For Klopp For Years To Come - The Liverpool Offside

What’s on TV today?

11:30 AM: Boston United Vs. Rochdale (FA Cup) - ESPN+

11:45 AM: Crystal Palace Vs. Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League) - NBCSN

11:45 AM: Cagliari Vs. Lazio (Serie A) - ESPN+