Puget Sound

“For me, as the league has grown [and] the number of quality foreign players has grown, being able to keep pace with that is something I’m personally proud of.” Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Harry Shipp reflects on MLS career ahead of his seventh season | Seattle Sounders FC

MLS / USL

Is Atlanta’s first DP on his way out? Report: Atlanta United could sell Tito Villalba to unnamed Paraguayan club - Dirty South Soccer

For four current MLS players, making ends meet was a legitimate worry early in their pro careers. ‘It’s just a grind’: Memories of living on sub-$13,000 salaries linger amid push for higher MLS minimums – The Athletic ($)

Everyone in MLS is seemingly trying to get their own Liga MX star, but this one doesn’t look like it’s happening. About those Rodolfo Pizarro-Chicago Fire rumors - Hot Time In Old Town

The beleaguered USMNT forward maybe set to move stateside. Bobby Wood could be coming to FC Cincinnati - Stars and Stripes FC

The club looks to a cable channel after a failed arrangement last year with a subscription streaming service. D.C. United in talks with NBC Sports Washington for local TV rights - The Washington Post

NWSL / women’s soccer

Tune in to Olympic qualifying to watch the USWNT dominate, stay to see Christine Sinclair make history. The USWNT isn’t the big story at Olympic qualifying - SBNation.com

The lowest ranked team in the Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament aren’t just here to make up the numbers. St. Kitts and Nevis are ready to take on the odds - All For XI

Make no mistake — the USWNT is the crown jewel of this new deal, but the prioritization of the team amid the Fox Sports properties leaves something to be desired. CONCACAF Finally Announces TV Deal For USWNT Olympic Qualifiers | Forbes

Lyon striker and 2019 Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a knee injury during training. Ada Hegerberg’s season ended after suffering ruptured ACL | The Guardian

US soccer

Lutz Pfannenstiel: “Zack Steffen could become a top keeper” | Transfermarkt

The first U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team match of 2020 should feature a young lineup, including several U-23 players. Who should the USMNT start vs. Costa Rica?

World soccer

On Bukayo Saka, Sergio Aguero and the sheer audacity of shooting at the near post. Shooting at the near post is really stupid, but stunning when it works - SBNation.com

From a loan to a 5.5 year deal! Done Deal! Tottenham make Giovani Lo Celso transfer permanent - Cartilage Free Captain

Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal for Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes that will be cost a basic £46.5m plus add-ons. Bruno Fernandes set to join Manchester United | The Guardian

The home of Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward is attacked by a group chanting that he was “going to die”. Ed Woodward: Man Utd executive vice-chairman’s home comes under attack - BBC Sport

West Ham’s latest accounts reveal relegation as the greatest threat to the club’s financial health, describing survival as ‘an absolute necessity for the future wellbeing of the club’. West Ham accounts describe Premier League survival as a financial necessity | The Guardian

Jose Villareal was once a bright young star in the LA Galaxy system, but now he’ll be plying his trade in the Philippines. Philippines’ Global FC snap up former LA Galaxy star & Manchester United, Liverpool academy graduates | FOX Sports Asia

Klopp says he will hand the reins to Liverpool youth coach Neil Critchley for the FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury Town. Jurgen Klopp’s Decision To Skip Liverpool’s FA Cup Replay Sends The Wrong Message

Cardiff have said they want an investigation into Nantes’ role up to Emiliano Sala’s death in January 2019 and added: ‘We believe there is sufficient evidence of wrongdoing’. Cardiff City begin proceedings against Nantes over death of Emiliano Sala | The Guardian

The midfielder declined to commit when he met Pochettino in Copenhagen in 2018 and set the clock ticking on his departure. From Danish dinner to Inter move: how Spurs lost control in Eriksen saga | The Guardian

Messi’s level of play and body language suggest all is not well with him at Barcelona. What could be causing the growing rift at Camp Nou? Lionel Messi looks fed up at Barcelona — how can the team and their superstar turn this around?

Users can now ask AI platform for La Liga club’s latest news. Real Madrid launch own Amazon Alexa ‘skill’ - SportsPro Media

Synthetic turf has often been criticised for being potentially harmful to people and the environment due to rubber granules that are used as infill material. Olive stones replace rubber in French synthetic pitch | The Connexion

Culture

If you use a knife instead of a spoon or dedicated tool to remove the flesh, there may be a grisly side effect to your guacamole prep. It’s ‘the perfect setup for stabbing yourself.’ Super Bowl Means ‘Avocado Hand’ Is Back—With a Vengeance - WSJ

What’s on TV?

9:30 AM: Pau vs. PSG (Coupe de France) — beIN Sports

10:00 AM: Cultural Leonesa vs. Valencia (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

10:00 AM: Rayo Vallecano vs. Villarreal (Copa del Rey) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: West Ham United vs. Liverpool (Premier League) — NBCSN

11:45 AM: Manchester City vs. Manchester United (League Cup) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Internazionale vs. Fiorentina (Coppa Italia) — ESPN+

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

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

12:05 PM: Olympique Marseille vs. Strasbourg (Coupe de France) — beIN Sports

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

2:30 PM: Canada vs. St Kitts and Nevis (Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying) — FS2

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

5:00 PM: Mexico vs. Jamaica (Concacaf Women’s Olympic Qualifying) — FS2, TUDN XTRA 4

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

5:00 PM: Pumas UNAM vs. Santos Laguna (Copa MX) — ESPN Deportes, TUDN

7:10 PM: Monterrey vs. Celaya (Copa MX) — Fox Deportes

7:10 PM: Juárez vs. Querétaro (Copa MX) — ESPN Deportes, TUDN