The MLS SuperDraft is quickly approaching, which means it’s mock draft season. Cascadia will be represented at the CONIFA World Cup, Zlatan’s statue was vandalized again, and there’s been yet another racist incident in Italy!

Seattle/Tacoma/PNW

Lesle Gallimore’s replacement has been named. Van Dyke most recently coached at the University of Pennsylvania. Huskies Hire Nicole Van Dyke To Lead Women’s Soccer Program - University of Washington Athletics

Goalkeeper Neeku Purcell and defender Madeline Mooney will join the team as they prepare for the Concacaf U-17 Women’s Championship held in March. Two Reign Academy players called into U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Training Camp in Florida

Reign FC’s Darian Jenkins scored the winning goal in the 25th minute on her 25th birthday! W-League report: Victory 2-1 Jets | Melbourne Victory

Cascadia will be the lone representative from North America competing in the tournament this Spring. The 16 teams going to the 2020 CONIFA Sportsbet.io World Football Cup 2020 – revealed! – CONIFA

A first visit to Bickersons Brewhouse in Renton – Washington Beer Blog
Bickersons Brewhouse opened a couple months ago in Renton, Washington. We stopped in for a first visit the other day.

MLS/USL

A quick look at some of the statistics from PRO in 2019. 2019 In Numbers – Professional Referee Organization

Switchbacks FC added a second defender, the first expected to be healthy to start the season, on Thursday when the club announced the addition of Everardo “Ever” Rubio. Defender Ever Rubio switches Western Conference sides, joins Colorado Springs | Sports Coverage | gazette.com

There’s really no better source for college soccer info than Top Drawer Soccer, so take a look at their first run at a mock draft. Scouting and drafting college players is a bit of a crap-shoot, so everything is sure to be different when MLS teams are doing the picking. 2020 MLS Mock Draft: Version 1.0 | College Soccer

Robbie Robinson is going to be a Generation Adidas player, and is a consensus top-two pick in the MLS SuperDraft. MLS SuperDraft prospect, Generation adidas signing Robbie Robinson wins Hermann Trophy | MLSsoccer.com

Ryan Raposo earned a Generation Adidas contract through his play in his first two seasons at Syracuse. Steve Milton: It’ll be big soccer news: Ryan Raposo ranked high in MLS SuperDraft | TheSpec.com

With Anthony Pulis leaving for Miami, St. Louis FC are bringing in Steve Trittschuh, the former Colorado Springs Switchbacks manager. St. Louis FC announce new coach, as fan club host food drive – FOX2now.com

It’s always interesting to take a look at where exactly MLS teams are devoting their scouting resources. Given their size and general reputation and quality, it makes sense that Brazil and Mexico would be the sources of MLS-bound talent. These are the international leagues MLS GMs are mining talent from this winter | MLSsoccer.com

You certainly can find useful players, occasionally even a star, in the MLS SuperDraft. It’s worth noting, though, that this list only includes two players selected as recently as this past decade. MLS SuperDraft: Who are some top late-round steals in league history? | MLSsoccer.com

Little Tony Pulis is leaving Saint Louis FC of USL Championship to become one of Diego Alonso’s assistants. Report: Anthony Pulis to join Diego Alonso's coaching staff at Inter Miami | MLSsoccer.com

Pablo Maurer is reporting that, with about a week before preseason starts, the final MLS coaching vacancy is being filled. Report: New York City FC to name Ronny Deila as head coach, ending long search | MLSsoccer.com

Charlotte have some lofty goals for their academy, like finding the Michael Jordan of soccer. It’s worth noting that there’s still only been one Michael Jordan to come out of the Carolinas. Zoran Krneta's detailed approach to building a winner in Charlotte - Charlotte MLS 2021

David Beckham’s team has two open Designated Player spots open, and if the rumors are true he may be saving them for a couple of Spanish stars in their 30s. David Silva and Pedro could both be leaving the Premier League in the summer to join Inter Miami. Man City’s David Silva secures ‘verbal agreement’ with David Beckham’s Inter Miami - Daily Star

Crew SC appear set to add the fourth and fifth homegrown players to their roster by signing Aidan Morris and Sebastian Berhalter to the first team. Both players spent this past year playing in the NCAA as freshmen. Crew SC looks to add homegrown players to roster - Sports - The Columbus Dispatch - Columbus, OH

NWSL/WoSo

West Ham United have apologised to fans after postponing Sunday’s visit of Everton due to concerns over player welfare West Ham call off WSL game against Everton due to 'severe' flu outbreak | Football | The Guardian

Sam Kerr drew a red card from the Reading ‘keeper and got an assist, but no goal, in her Chelsea debut. Match report, goals and highlights: Chelsea FC Women 3-1 Reading - We Ain't Got No History

USA

Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris got married surrounded by some of their closest friends, which includes almost every WoSo figure you can think of. It also means there were some absolutely legendary fit pics. USWNT stars Ali Krieger and Ashlyn Harris wed in Miami - Outsports

World

Fullbacks don’t have to be afterthoughts. Alexander-Arnold is proving how just how dangerous the position can be. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool are revolutionizing fullbacks - SBNation.com

Amateur side JS Saint-Pierroise - from the island of Reunion - travel 6,000 miles to cause a French Cup upset by knocking out second-tier Niort. Reunion islanders pull off shock win - BBC Sport

When you’re wooing a highly coveted potential super star, you’ve got to do more than just throw money at them. A WhatsApp charm offensive from players, a lucrative offer from Puma and watching him 28 times live – how Dortmund won the race for Haaland – The Athletic

Miguel Almiron scored again, and Yedlin returned to the lineup, but Newcastle still drew against Rochdale and will have to replay their third-round FA Cup game. Miguel Almiron scores, leaves early with apparent injury in Newcastle FA Cup tilt | MLSsoccer.com

With the transfer ban lifted, Chelsea have made Gabigol their top target in the current window. Frank Lampard identifies Gabriel Barbosa as Chelsea's top transfer target for January | Metro News

Mario Balotelli has scored the first Serie A goal of the decade for the second time. He first did it in January of 2010 in a win over Chievo. Why always him? This Mario Balotelli stat will blow you away - Onefootball

Pretty much anyone is an upgrade over the current stock of Arsenal centerbacks. Arsenal Transfer Rumor: The Gunners linked with a January move for Juventus CB Daniele Rugani - The Short Fuse

Chris Richards traveling with the FC Bayern first team to Qatar for training camp caught the eyes of American fans, but Richards is far from the youngest player - even among centerbacks - to make the trip. 16-year-old Bright Arrey-Mbi becomes the youngest player to join Bayern Munich in Qatar - Bavarian Football Works

Curtis Jones scored an absolute art piece of a goal to lead a young Liverpool team past Everton. Liverpool vs. Everton - Football Match Report - January 5, 2020 - ESPN

You hate to see it. The statue has apparently now been removed after repeatedly being vandalized. Zlatan Ibrahimovic statue vandalised for fourth time, ankles sawn off

Lazio fans continue to be the Garbage People Kings of Italian soccer. Shame on you Mario Balotelli slams Lazio ultras for racist abuse

Anything can happen, it’s the silly season after all. Jimenez could follow in Chicharito’s foot steps by joining Manchester United. Manchester United's Solskjaer, Wolves Santo discuss Jimenez links

NBCSN’s Boxing Day Premier League coverage averaged 404,250 viewers across four match broadcasts, up 13% from 357,500 viewers last year and peaking at 570,000 viewers for Liverpool’s 4-0 victory over Leicester City. Most-watched soccer games on US TV for December 16-29, 2019 - World Soccer Talk

What’s on TV today?

9:00 AM: Lecce vs. Udinese (Serie A) — ESPN+

11:45 AM: Napoli vs. Internazionale (Serie A) — ESPN+

11:56 AM: Arsenal vs. Leeds United (FA Cup) — ESPN+