MLS

And now for a review of this weird, absurd and wonderful year in MLS. There were originally supposed to be like 10 of these, but cutting any of them felt like a public disservice. The 25 wildest and wackiest moments from MLS’s 25th season | J. Sam Jones | MLSsoccer.com

Korean international could be headed over to shore up right back position. Report: LAFC to sign defender Kim Moon-hwan - Angels on Parade

January will arrive in a couple of days, bringing a fresh new offseason transfer window opening for MLS teams looking to enhance their squads. With COVID-19 hurting revenues around the globe, there are various places where closing a winter deal might be a little easier and cheaper than usual. Top 10 January transfer targets around Europe for MLS teams | Greg Seltzer | MLSsoccer.com

You just moved to Hannover 96. It could have been Bayern Munich, but it’s Hannover 96. That’s alright though. You’re in the Bundesliga. Not a whole lot of Americans get to the Bundesliga. Clint Mathis: From MLS to national team stardom, understanding the "free spirit" | J. Sam Jones | MLSsoccer.com

USA

It’s been a busy week for American players - both on and off the field. ASN article: Thoughts on McKenzie, Yedlin, Pulisic, and midweek Americans abroad games

For the next two weeks we’re revisiting some of the best moments from the past year on Burn It All Down. First, we’re listening back to three of our favorite 2020 segments. We start back in June with Episode 164, when Jessica, Amira, and Shireen talked about athlete activism and the return of sports. Episode 186: The Best Of Burn It All Down 2020, Part 1 — BURN IT ALL DOWN

Watching Defiance matches and out-of-market Sounders games will cost a bit more. ESPN Plus is raising its annual subscription price to $59.99 in 2021 - The Verge

World

The Premier League says it has no plans to suspend the current campaign despite a rise in positive coronavirus cases. Premier League 'has not discussed pause' amid rise in coronavirus cases - BBC Sport

After a social media war with Gabriel Agbonlahor earlier in the season, Leeds United have decided to make former England international Karen Carney their public enemy number one. Leeds’ behaviour on social media epitomises ‘disrespect’ - not Karen Carney’s comments | Eurosport

By going after the pundit Karen Carney the club’s official Twitter account opened the door to the sexist abuse that affects every woman in football How did Leeds United not realise what would happen when they targeted a woman? | Football | The Guardian

Leeds have condemned online abuse aimed at pundit Karen Carney in the aftermath of their 5-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Karen Carney: Leeds condemn online abuse after owner Andrea Radrizzani defends club tweet - BBC Sport

Manchester City’s training ground reopens as their first-team bubble produces no new positive Covid-19 test results. Manchester City training ground reopens after negative coronavirus tests - BBC Sport

After documenting the implementation of a simple xG model I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about what makes a good model and how you could go about quantifying its quality. Do Naive xG Models underestimate Expected Goals for Top Teams?

David De Gea has declared himself fit for Manchester United’s clash with Aston Villa after being flattened by Wolves forward Adama Traore. Man United's De Gea declares himself fit after 'painful' collision with Wolves' Traore

The Premier League has “full confidence” that the 2020-21 season will continue as planned, despite an escalation in positive COVID-19 cases. Premier League confident season will continue despite increase in COVID-19 cases

Chelsea have started the defence of their WSL title with an unbeaten run up to the mid-season break. Women’s Super League mid-season review: Chelsea on track to defend their title | NewsChain

Louis Liu, the secretary general of the Chinese Football Association, explains the plan to make club soccer sustainable while producing players – and infrastructure – for international tournaments. The new limit does not appear to harm a signing like Gustav Svensson. Why China Is Curbing Club Spending And Building New Stadiums To Fulfill Its Soccer Dream