Puget Sound

Rapinoe used her incredible 2019 soccer success to bring attention to social-justice issues. Megan Rapinoe, gay soccer star, is Outsports’ Person of the Year - Outsports

In 2020 the try-anything Australian will show he fits the organization’s game model best as a fullback. Antonee Burke-Gilroy Finds Perfect Wave at Right Back - Tacoma Defiance

MLS / USL

The Sounders Academy and S2 alumnus has a new home for 2020. Phoenix Rising Adds Jordan Schweitzer For 2020 Season

FC Tulsa Adds Former MLS Midfielder Eric Bird

NWSL / women’s soccer

Coombe talks about the team’s changes, her scouting for the college draft, and what she wants out of performances for next year. New Sky Blue FC head coach Freya Coombe declares team no longer an underdog - All For XI

Melbourne City and Western Sydney have shown how women’s football in Australia should be administered. The sooner other clubs follow suit, the sooner the game will flourish. Melbourne City, Western Sydney and the W-League’s new era | The Guardian

For long, the notion of women in sport was met with scorn, condescension and blatant sexism. Times have changed, but more progress is needed. 6 women in sport on sexism, progress and what’s needed next - Vogue Australia

Rapinoe walked it as she talked it, inspiring the USA to World Cup glory while posing important political questions. Jaw-dropping sport moments of 2019: USA snub Trump … and enjoy it | The Guardian

Washington Spirit head coach Richie Burke talked on a conference call about new signings, allocation money and his outlook for the Spirit in 2020. NWSL: Richie Burke excited about new signings, 2020 season with Spirit

Prospect of two great players at rival clubs pushing each other is just one cause for excitement about women’s football in 2020. Kerr v Miedema is coming to WSL and could have shades of Messi v Ronaldo | The Guardian

US soccer

The team of the decade naturally leans on talent from the first half, rather than the stunning decline of the last few years. The USMNT best XI of the 2010s

Biles just barely edged Megan Rapinoe in a poll of AP Sports editors and writers, and is the first gymnast to win the award in a non-Olympic year. Simone Things -- Biles named AP Female Athlete of the Year

World soccer

That’s one way to get your name into the Los Angeles market, I guess? Rangers FC Announces Strategic Partnership with Orange County SC

Over half of all professional sports clubs in England have no women representation on their boards, and just eight per cent of board members at professional English sports clubs are female, a new report has found. More than half of professional sports clubs in England have no women on their boards

What happens when a sports team dies? At a small English football club, a community rallied around the power of its memory. How the death of Bury FC proved the potential of human imagination - SBNation.com

Pellegrini has acknowledged West Ham’s home form must improve if they are to pull away from the threat of relegation. Manuel Pellegrini faces five days that could define his West Ham future | The Guardian

Klopp has revealed that Firmino’s recent burst of goals came after the player had to be reassured of his value to Liverpool following a long stretch without scoring. Roberto Firmino’s value to Liverpool goes beyond goals, says Jürgen Klopp | The Guardian

Ole Gunnar Solskjær believes Manchester United’s youthfulness gives them a better chance of recovery than Burnley when the teams meet just 48 hours after playing on Boxing Day. Solskjær backs youthful Manchester United to recover quickly for Burnley | The Guardian

Guardiola believes it will be one of his toughest managerial challenges to replace Sergio Agüero when the striker leaves Manchester City, due in the summer of 2021. Pep Guardiola says replacing Sergio Agüero will be one of his toughest jobs | The Guardian

Harvard’s Anita Elberse has attracted interest from the likes of Alex Ferguson, Gerard Piqué and Kaká. Here’s why. Meet the Harvard professor who is shaping the destiny of football stars | The Guardian

What’s on TV?

11:45 AM: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Manchester City (Premier League) — NBCSN

10:00 PM: Western United vs. Wellington Phoenix (A-League) — ESPN+