5 Thoughts for Sunday - 1/4/15

1) The big news in MLS this weekend is that the legendary Steven Gerrard, of Liverpool and English National Team fame, is coming to MLS. The New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC have been previously been linked to Gerrard, but the LA Galaxy appear to be the frontrunners at this point. Gerrard, who turns 35 in May, is just shy of 500 appearances for Liverpool with whom he's played since 1998. He also logged 114 CAPs for England scoring 21 goals including one against the U.S. at the 2010 World Cup. And yes, he'd probably be the perfect fit to replace Landon Donovan.

 

2) We're less than a week away from the start of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. The tourney kicks off on January 9th with the U.S. grouped with Aruba, Guatemala, host-nation Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama. The U.S. opens with Guatemala on the 9th. A number of MLS players expect to be appearing in the tournament, but the final rosters aren't expected to be posted before tomorrow.

3) DC United keeper Bill Hamid, the reigning MLS goalkeeper of the year is rumored to be drawing interest from Europe. Hamid has been the starter for DC for the last 4 seasons, but posted career numbers for United in 2014 setting highs in saves (110), shutouts (10, and wins (14). If DC were to lose Hamid, they still have Andrew Dykstra who backed up Hamid in 2014 going undefeated in 4 starts. DC already lost Joe Willis this offseason in a trade with the Houston Dynamo. With just 2 keepers on their roster and the Champions League quarterfinals looming, expect DC to add another keeper before the season starts.

4) The Chicago Fire continue to make moves this season most recently signing Brazilian defender Adaílton. Chicago has already added African strikers Kennedy Ignoananike (Nigeria) and David Accam (Ghana), Trinidad and Tobago National Team midfielder Joevin Jones, and ex-Galaxy midfielder Michael Stephens fresh off his stint in Norway. On the heels of a 6-win season (that included a record-setting 18 ties), it's no surprise that the Fire are looking to shake things up a bit.

5) 17 year old Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem became a U.S. citizen this week after several years with the German Youth National Team. U.S. Soccer has already started the process to make him eligible to play for the U.S. Men's National Team. Here are some highlights of him with Arsenal.