Breakfast Links - December 20, 2023
(image via MLS Communications)
It might be the offseason in MLS and NWSL but things have been very busy around both leagues. Let’s get into the links for a Wednesday.
Houston
The Houston Dynamo signed Griffin Dorsey to a new contract after the defender had himself a year. Dorsey will be under contract for the next two years and an option for a third season.
The Dynamo had a couple of low draft picks in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft and somehow managed to land a Generation adidas player in Stephen Annor Gyamfi with the 26th overall pick. The striker out of the University of Virginia was a menace during his one season with the Cavaliers, scoring 10 goals in 19 games earning him All ACC-First Team and ACC Freshman of the Year awards. In the second round, Houston selected Clemson University senior Ousmane Sylla. The midfielder played in over 70 matches during his four seasons with the Tigers.
The Houston Dash have yet to announce a new head coach, but that didn’t stop them from re-signing Maria Sanchez. The talented winger signed a lucrative deal that will keep her in Houston through the 2026 season with a mutual option for 2027. The Dash front office is look to build around Maria this offseason.
MLS
US Soccer has hit back at MLS, denying the league’s request to have MLS NEXT Pro clubs represent the league in the 2024 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The MLS SuperDraft took place last night and the Dynamo picked up the players mentioned above. Check out the draft grades for every team here.
The LA Galaxy have acquired the player rights to forward Miguel Berry from Atlanta United in exchange for LA’s natural second-round pick (No. 33) in the SuperDraft, the clubs announced Tuesday. Berry, 26, has recorded 11 goals and three assists in 75 career regular-season matches played across four MLS seasons with the Columbus Crew (2021-22), D.C. United (2022) and Atlanta United (2023).
Orlando City SC have resolved their head-coach uncertainty, announcing Tuesday that Oscar Pareja has signed a new two-year deal through the 2025 MLS season. Pareja was out of contract after the 2023 campaign, when the Lions finished second in the overall league table and earned a club-record 63 points (18W-7L-9D), before falling to eventual league champions Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Around the World
Erik ten Hag wants to keep Raphaël Varane and Casemiro at Manchester United in the January transfer window, a source has told ESPN. Both players have been linked with moves away from Old Trafford next month, but Ten Hag is keen to keep the pair, at least until the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest have named Nuno Espírito Santo as their new manager to replace Steve Cooper, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. Forest appointed the former Wolves and Tottenham manager after sacking Cooper following a run of five defeats in six games which saw them slip to 17th in the table, five points above the relegation zone.
Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique said on Tuesday he has a "perfect" relationship with Kylian Mbappé after French media reports suggested there is a growing friction between the manager and his star player. A report in L'Équipe questioned Mbappé's closeness to Luis Enrique after the France forward appeared frustrated following his team's recent disappointing results and conservative tactics, particularly in the 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League which eventually assured the French club of their place in the round of 16.
Brazil forward Neymar will miss the 2024 Copa América in the United States because of a serious knee injury he suffered in October, Brazilian team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said Tuesday. The Al Hilal star, 31, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee during his country's World Cup qualifying loss to Uruguay on Oct. 17, before undergoing surgery two weeks later.
