MLS Rumors Roundup: Tomas Rosicky to MLS, Obafemi Martins to Turkey and More

Rafael Baca and Michael Farfan finally made their permanent move from MLS to Cruz Azul, but what about the other MLS rumors that are yet to come to fruition? Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky is in search of a new deal with the North London club, but hinted a move to MLS would be a desirable one if it's not offered. The Philadelphia Union have pinpointed their target in Argentina. Then, there's Obafemi Martins.  The Seattle Sounders forward set off rampant speculation with a simple visit to Turkey this week. Read on for all the details.Begin Slideshow

Seattle Sounders Fan Has Clint Dempsey Tattoo on His Neck

Clint Dempsey is possibly the most popular footballer in the United States. He definitely is the most popular in Seattle. So popular that his head is adorned on the neck of one Sounders fan. Dempsey posted a picture on his Facebook page on Christmas Day of the tattoo. Having just re-signed on loan for Fulham, we will wait and see if any West London fans have similar artwork. Read more MLS news on BleacherReport.com

25 Best MLS Players of 2013

The 2013 Major League Soccer season was one of the most exciting in league history with dozens of players having standout years. Narrowing down those outstanding performances to a list of just 25 players can be a harrowing process. But, after an exhaustive examination of each player, considering their individual performance over the course of the season, as well as their team's success, here are the "25 Best MLS Players of 2013."Begin Slideshow

5 Biggest Names Linked with Transfers to MLS in 2014

Major League Soccer has become a popular destination for international superstars to land to further their careers in the last six years. It all started with David Beckham in 2007, and since then, the likes of Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and Federico Higuain have moved to the United States. Now, with the 2014 season rapidly approaching, there are some new names being linked with a few of the 19 MLS teams.  Here is a look at five of the biggest names rumored to be moving to America in the next year.Begin Slideshow

MLS Rumors Round-Up: Dom Dwyer at Sparrows Lane, Camilo to Liga MX and More

Eddie Johnson finally made his move from the Seattle Sounders to D.C. United, but what about the other MLS rumors that are yet to come to fruition? MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo appears to be nearing a move to Liga Bancomer MX. Sporting Kansas City striker Dom Dwyer has finally been spotted training overseas. Is an impending loan with an option to buy in the cards for Charlton Athletic?  Then, there's Chivas USA.  The club is still in search of a manager for 2014. Especially with Curt Onalfo removing himself as a candidate. Read on for all the details.Begin Slideshow

D.C. United Loading Up on Talent to Erase Memories of 2013 Season

After finishing dead last in the Eastern Conference with a lowly 16 points and just three wins in 34 games, D.C. United needed plenty of change. Luckily for soccer fans inside the Beltway, the club has done just that in the young offseason by bringing in a few experienced veterans and a future designated player.  It all started on Dec. 10 when United acquired Davy Arnaud from Montreal in exchange for an international roster spot. Two days later, Ben Olsen's side snatched two veterans in the first stage of the Re-Entry Draft. The 2013 U.S. Open Cup winners strengthened their defense by adding Sean Franklin and Bobby Boswell during the re-entry process. D.C. continued to make waves this week as they brought in a disgruntled Eddie Johnson from Seattle in a trade that sent allocation money back to the Pacific Northwest. Then came the second stage of the Re-Entry Draft where the Black and Red added Fabian Espindola and Nana Attakora with their two selections.  With six new players now in the squad, Olsen and his staff have plenty to work with during the final few months of the offseason. Franklin and Boswell will anchor a defense setup that was ravaged by 59 goals in 2013, a ...

Eddie Johnson Traded from Seattle Sounders to D.C. United

Major League Soccer's Seattle Sounders have officially traded forward Eddie Johnson to D.C. United, the team announced: OFFICIAL: The #Sounders trade Eddie Johnson to @DCUnited in exchange for allocation money. http://t.co/gM3TP4HRY1 — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 17, 2013 Good luck to @eddie_johnson7 as he continues his career with @dcunited. Thanks for two great seasons! — Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) December 17, 2013 SI.com's Brian Straus initially reported the deal and said Johnson was dealt for exchange for a "large amount of allocation money." Straus adds that Johnson is expected to sign a new contract with United that will pay him more than the estimated $156,333 he earned last season in the Pacific Northwest.  Seattle fans will certainly be sad to see the 29-year-old go, but his surging production and the arrival of Clint Dempsey in August has left the franchise between a rock and hard place. Dempsey's salary demands, "roughly 30 times greater than Johnson's," according to Straus, made the front office's decision that much easier and United are sure to benefit as a result.     Johnson, who spent several years in the Premier League with Fulham, is an elite goal scorer, recording 29 goals in all competitions during two seasons with the Sounders. Former Sounders teammate Steve Zakuani ...

Everything You Need to Know About David Beckham’s Miami MLS Franchise

David Beckham's playing days may be over but the next chapter of his career in football is about to begin, as the owner of a Major League Soccer side.  Official announcements have not yet been made, but it looks like Miami will play home to the latest incarnation of "Brand Beckham."   But why South Florida, when will this happen and is LeBron James really involved? Over the following slides, we answer these questions and give you the lowdown on Becks' proposed franchise. Begin Slideshow

MLS: Recapping Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft

Some unexpected fireworks were created on Thursday during Stage One of the Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft.  The first stage of the re-entry process featured 57 eligible players with D.C. United containing the first pick. However, it was not D.C. that sent shock waves throughout the league with their pick, as that job was done by the Portland Timbers.  Just before the re-entry draft began at 3 p.m. ET, the Timbers traded defender Andrew Jean-Baptiste and the No. 17 pick in the re-entry draft to Chivas USA for the No. 2 pick and Jorge Villafana.  After the deal was announced, the Timbers got down to business and opted to choose former Seattle Sounders midfielder Steve Zakuani with their pick. The pick of Zakuani, who has not been the same player since breaking his leg in 2011, thickened the plot of one of the biggest rivalries in North America just a bit more. Zakuani's selection was later deemed a necessity by most as it was revealed that Rodney Wallace had undergone surgery for a torn ACL that was suffered in the playoffs against Real Salt Lake.  Zakuani will be able to fill the void left open by Wallace in midfield, and he will look to attain the success he had at ...

2013 MLS Re-Entry Draft: Recapping an Active Stage One of the Draft

Stage One of the MLS Re-Entry Draft saw an unusual amount of activity this year. Since the draft was created in 2010, the first stage of the draft rarely saw more than a couple picks. This year, a total of five selections were made. Before the draft began, a few big names were pulled out of the pool of players who were eligible for the Re-Entry Process. Toronto FC's Bobby Convey, FC Dallas' Kenny Cooper and New England Revolution's Kevin Alston were removed from the draft. The full list of eligible players was cut down to 57. With the first pick of the draft, D.C. United selected former LA Galaxy defender Sean Franklin. The 2008 MLS Rookie of the Year and two-time MLS Cup champion will enter his seventh year in MLS with a D.C. team that is hoping to rebound after one of the worst seasons in team history.  D.C. also selected former Houston Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell in the second round of the draft. All of a sudden Ben Olsen's back line already looks much better than last year's woeful defense that allowed 59 goals. Chivas USA had the second overall pick in the draft but traded it to the Portland Timbers. ...