Puget Sound

Determining what to do after the end of a playing career required a year on the road, living out of a trailer. ‘What are you doing?’ ‘Nothing’: After a year away from soccer and society, Brad Evans is still searching for what’s next – The Athletic ($)

MLS / USL

A look back at the history of El Tri stars at the club. LA Galaxy look for Chicharito to be first Mexican star to be club legend - LAG Confidential

The Julian Gressel vs. Atlanta United contract saga has come to a surprising conclusion. Goff: Julian Gressel traded to D.C. United - Dirty South Soccer

Getting rewarded for going from a measly No. 8 overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft to a near TAM-level talent in three seasons is what needed to happen. Julian Gressel is getting paid and that’s what matters most - Dirty South Soccer

Apparently he suffered the injury during MLS Cup. Michael Bradley to have surgery on ankle, could be out four months - Stars and Stripes FC

The Charleston keeper is headed to Israel. HEADING OVERSEAS: Kuzminsky Goes on Loan to Maccabi Haifa

NWSL / women’s soccer

It is a time of transition in the National Women’s Soccer League, as last week’s joint press conference held by Arnim Whisler and Amanda Duffy made clear. 2020 NWSL Draft: What We Learned About NWSL’s Business Model | Forbes

For the second straight year, the NWSL’s No. 1 pick left her college side early to turn pro. NWSL enters a new era at 2020 draft as young players keep turning pro early - SoccerWire

Emma Hayes’ side produced moments of magic to demolish Arsenal, including Sam Kerr’s first WSL goal, but most impressive was their unyielding unity in closing down the WSL champions’ supply lines. Chelsea harness collective power to ignite WSL title race | The Guardian

The onus is on W-League’s decision-makers to be ambitious, to catch the heaving European wave or watch it roll onwards without them. Matildas’ European migration exciting but fanning W-League anxiety | The Guardian

US soccer

No coach has ever won an Olympic title the year after winning the Women’s World Cup. Here’s a look at the alchemy Andonovski is trying to strike. USWNT’s Vlatko Andonovski faces Olympic dilemma that’s humbled every coach before — including Jill Ellis

World soccer

Atlas will have to play their next home game against Tijuana behind closed doors. Liga MX hands Atlas one-match ban for homophobic goalkeeper chant - FMF State Of Mind

Manchester United have been charged by the FA for failing “to ensure its players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion” during Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool. Manchester United charged by FA for player conduct in Liverpool defeat - BBC Sport

Ole Gunnar Solskjær refused to engage with Gary Neville’s criticism of Ed Woodward but pointed to ‘strides forward’ made by Manchester United in the defeat at Liverpool. Solskjær insists Liverpool defeat shows Manchester United are ‘on right track’ | The Guardian

Attempting to cope with Liverpool’s inevitable title win. The 6 stages of Liverpool grief - SBNation.com

Wenger has said Arsenal “lost our soul” when they left Highbury to move to the Emirates Stadium in 2006. Arsene Wenger claims Arsenal have been soulless since leaving Highbury for Emirates

Pep Guardiola’s call is well placed, and better still would be for a streamlined FA Cup to emerge with the final in February. It is time to scrap the League Cup – and give the FA Cup a radical makeover | The Guardian

The team chairman says he is “using the club to make sure that people reconsider their lives.” Flat Earth FC: the football club who represent a conspiracy theory | The Guardian

The club has said uncertainty about the club’s future ownership is now at an end. Sheffield United ownership: McCabe refused chance to appeal - BBC News

Football clubs’ carbon footprint is a concern but the people that run the game are not helping. Football clubs’ 14-minute flights and a global warming problem nobody will tackle – The Athletic ($)

French club Nantes will pay tribute to late Argentine player Emiliano Sala by wearing a special blue and white shirt during Sunday’s game against Bordeaux. Nantes to pay tribute to Emiliano Sala - ProSoccerTalk

Former Osasuna executive Angel Vizcay has said his club paid hundreds of thousands of euros to La Liga clubs to help the club avoid relegation. Ex-Osasuna chief admits paying bribes to avoid La Liga relegation

What’s on TV?

It’s a busy day on the broadcast slate, with lots of cup action around the world along with a few midweek EPL matches.

10:00 AM: Elche vs. Athletic Club (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

10:00 AM: Ibiza vs. Barcelona (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

11:30 AM: Leicester City vs. West Ham United (EPL) — NBC Sports Gold

11:30 AM: Tottenham Hotspur vs. Norwich City (EPL) — NBC Sports Gold

11:45 AM: Juventus vs. Roma (Coppa Italia) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: UD Logroñés vs. Valencia (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Tenerife vs. Real Valladolid (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Real Sociedad vs. Espanyol (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Unionista de Salamanca vs. Real Madrid (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Badalona vs. Granada (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:00 PM: Girona vs. Villarreal (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

12:15 PM: Manchester United vs. Burnley (EPL) — NBCSN

2:15 PM: San José vs. Guaraní (Copa Libertadores) — beIN Sports

4:30 PM: Progreso vs. Barcelona (Copa Libertadores) — beIN Sports

5:00 PM: Celaya vs. Monterrey (Copa MX) — TUDN

5:00 PM: Cafetaleros de Tapachula vs. Morelia (Copa MX) — ESPN Deportes

7:00 PM: Atlas vs. Toluca (Copa MX) — ESPN Deportes

7:00 PM: Santos Laguna vs. Pumas UNAM (Copa MX) — Fox Deportes

12:30 AM (1/23): Newcastle Jets vs. Perth Glory (W-League) — ESPN+