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Major Link Soccer: All Quiet on the Northwestern Front

The weather’s cold, but the transfer rumors are hot pretty much everywhere outside the Puget Sound.

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Transfers in and out of MLS are all the rage but yet Seattle is still on the sidelines. Meanwhile, the Reign are pretty active on the roster front in the NWSL. Lastly, what player should Manchester United let leave but they are holding on for...history?

Seattle/Tacoma

Wales’ bid to qualify for a first major tournament is boosted by Jess Fishlock being set to return from a long-term injury. Reign FC will benefit as well from the return of their dragon to the midfield. Jess Fishlock: Midfielder's return set to boost Wales - BBC Sport

The professional soccer landscape in the Puget Sound is growing by one team as the Tacoma Stars join the NPSL. It seems as though this team will be in addition to their MASL team, but that’s not been made clear. The Tacoma Stars Join the NPSL for the 2020 Season – National Premier Soccer League

MLS/USL

Former MLS and Eredivisie midfielder Marco Pablo Pappa was sentenced to five years for a domestic violence offense in Guatemala on Tuesday. Ex-MLS player Marco Pappa gets 5-year domestic violence sentence

Atlanta United have sent a star CB to Mexico, and replaced him with another CB from Liga MX. Official: Leandro Gonzalez Pirez completes transfer to Club Tijuana - Dirty South Soccer

It’s a refrain with which Sounders fans are familiar. If Chicharito isn’t coming here, who is? Is it time to panic for Chicago Fire fans? - Hot Time In Old Town

Are the Rapids going to be good? I think the Rapids might be good. Don’t tell anyone I said that. Sources: Colorado Rapids sign ex-Toronto FC winger Nicolas Benezet | MLSsoccer.com

I won’t claim to have any particular knowledge of any of these players, but I’ll share what I do know: Vito Wormgoor is an absolutely elite name, and I probably would have been happy if Seattle signed almost any of these guys. Five top under-the-radar signings in MLS this offseason | Greg Seltzer | MLSsoccer.com

I include news and rumors of other teams signing players as a sort of self-punishment, but also as a reminder that just because Garth Lagerwey hasn’t signed anyone that we know of doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t. Report: LAFC pursuing Ecuador midfielder Jose Cifuentes | MLSsoccer.com

A look at the top CB duos in the league does manage to mention that, with Xavier Arreaga, the Sounders are another solid centerback away from being in the conversation.As Leandro Gonzalez Pirez departs Atlanta, what's the best center-back pairing in MLS? | MLSsoccer.com

Gedion Zelalem is staying in MLS after signing with NYCFC. Is the once-highly-touted young American still a potential star? Literally no one knows. Gedion Zelalam signs with New York City FC after up-and-down Sporting KC season | MLSsoccer.com

Whether this has any real chance of happening, it would be a remarkably bad signing. You can’t be paying someone that much money unless they’re going to fill up your stadium AND win you games. Man United midfielder Nemanja Matic 'offered £5m-a-year deal by MLS side Chicago Fire'

Go bird teams! A group of clubs from around the lower-tiers of American soccer, bonded by their badges, have joined forces to support the National Audobon Society. Birds of a Feather Kicks Off — Protagonist Soccer

BWP is just out here trying to get a ring, and I respect the hell out of it. Sources: Bradley Wright-Phillips set to train with LAFC

Oddly not that harsh on Sounders. Armchair Analyst: Roster build status for the Western Conference ahead of the 2020 season | MLSsoccer.com

Hopefully Scotland will provide the change of scenery necessary to allow Powers to reach his potential. UNITED ADD POWERS TO SQUAD | Dundee United Football Club

NFL free agent Jay Ajayi, who won the Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2017, will now be a professional gamer, competing in FIFA 20 for the Philadelphia Union of eMLS. NFL star Jay Ajayi is now a pro gamer - The Verge

NWSL/WoSo

The French winger could potentially earn a huge contract from the Thorns under the new NWSL allocation money rules. Rumor: Thorns interested in Kadidiatou Diani - Stumptown Footy

Sam Kerr’s arrival in England with Chelsea could have been a case of the rich getting richer as they added a seemingly unnecessary second striker. Instead, she could be exactly what they needed for greatness. Sam Kerr isn't a luxury item for Chelsea, she's the missing piece they desperately need | StatsBomb

Reign FC have been quiet, making one trade involving draft picks, but that could change with a new head coach incoming. Breaking down the NWSL’s first flurry of trades as pre-draft preparation begins – The Athletic

When Laura Harvey left the Utah Royals last week, the NWSL once again found itself in a familiar position — with only one woman serving as a head coach across the league’s nine clubs. The NWSL says it has a ‘Rooney Rule,’ but no one seems to know much about it – Equalizer Soccer

It is hard to overstate how much the conversation has changed around Sky Blue FC in less than a year, with Tammy Murphy taking on a lead role on behalf of ownership, and Alyse LaHue serving as first interim GM, now full-time GM of the club. Tammy Murphy, Alyse LaHue Share What Success Looks Like For Sky Blue FC In 2020 | Forbes

The Courage have gained Hailie Mace’s rights and a future fourth round pick in exchange for Zerboni NC Courage trade McCall Zerboni to Sky Blue FC for player rights, future 4th round pick - Dirty South Soccer

Reign FC got in on the action when they swapped draft picks with the Chicago Red Stars. Friday NWSL trades: Sky Blue takes Zerboni for Hailie Mace rights - All For XI

It’s time that women in sports stop being forced to bare the mental load of how it might effect children to see a powerful, passionate woman. It might just be good for them. This decade, let's let female athletes be jerks

With the 2020 NWSL College Draft scheduled for January 15, the league has released their list of 150 eligible players. NWSL releases updated draft-eligible list | College Soccer

USA

With Tuesday marking six months since the Women’s World Cup final, Telegraph Women’s Sport looks at the wider impact the USWNT world champions have had, interviewing those both inspired and involved in their fight for equal pay. How US Women's historic 2019 World Cup win continues to influence fight for equality six months on

The World Champs get to start their tournament off with a grudge match against England, the team that they fell to in the last SheBelieves Cup. USWNT to kick off SheBelieves Cup in Orlando against England | Pro Soccer USA

The all-time great striker is headed towards the administrative side. Brian McBride named USMNT General Manager - Stars and Stripes FC

The American starlet is with Borussia Dortmund’s first team during their Winter break, and just scored his first goal in a friendly with Feyenoord. New York City FC academy product Gio Reyna scores first goal for Borussia Dortmund | MLSsoccer.com

Josh Sargent is back after a muscle injury kept him out for a month. He managed to score a brace in the first half of a friendly against Hannover 96 during Werder Bremen’s Winter break. US striker Josh Sargent returns from injury with brace in Werder Bremen training match | MLSsoccer.com

Seattle, in addition to 16 other US cities, will be visited twice, as well as participating in a workshop, over the course of the year before submitting their final proposal. 2026 World Cup: U.S. Soccer outlines its plans to select host cities

World

Six months on from the Women’s World Cup final, Telegraph Women’s Sport reports on what effect, if any, global progress in the game has had on three of the teams. Women's World Cup 2019 six months on: How life has changed for three of the tournaments underdogs

Inter’s tandem of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez is old school and effective, and also really, really fun to watch. Inter Milan’s throwback striker partnership is why it can win Serie A - SBNation.com

Al-Sadd say there has been no official contact from Barcelona regarding Xavi Hernandez replacing Ernesto Valverde as coach Al-Sadd Respond To Xavi-To-Barcelona Rumors

One of the longest careers in soccer has been extended after 52-year-old striker Kazuyoshi Miura signed a contract with J-League club Yokohama FC. Kazuyoshi Miura, 52, signs new contract - ProSoccerTalk | NBC Sports

With every event or tournament that ESPN+ acquires the rights to, that $4.99 becomes an even better deal. ESPN+ acquires US rights to Copa del Rey - World Soccer Talk

Move over VAR, load management might be the hot new thing for old English guys to complain about! NBA and the Premier League: two leagues, one big injury crisis – The Athletic

Sergio Aguero is really good at soccer, and has been for a while. With his 12th Premier League hattrick, he now holds the record.Aguero rewrites record book as Man City unloads on Aston Villa

It’s not a great sign for a once-big club to desperately try to hold onto a not particularly good 34 year-old fullback. Ashley Young’s potential sale embodies Manchester United’s struggles - SBNation.com

Kylian Mbappé is basically just doing FIFA skill challenges in Ligue 1 now. He could probably do with a new club. Kylian Mbappé casually attempts a rabona because his opponents are boring him - SBNation.com

The latest boot drop from Nike is available in the US and Asia, which means we might be seeing them in use as the Sounders head into preseason. Laser Crimson Nike Tiempo Legend VIII Elite 'Future Lab' 2020 Boots Released - Asia + US Exclusive For Now - Footy Headlines

What’s on TV today?

11:45 PM - Parma Vs. Lecce (Serie A) - ESPN+

4:00 PM - Santa Fe Vs. Deportivo Cali (Friendly) - ESPN3

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