Top of the morning to you all! It's 7:00am and we're hoping that today won't be nearly as hot as it has been the past 5 days. We have 3 International Champions Cup matches as well as the MLS Chipotle Homegrown Game versus the Mexico U-20s tonight as well. That's plenty of soccer to sink your teeth into. Okay, grab your coffee...here comes the headlines:
Sigi Schmid out as Seattle Sounders coach amid eighth season in charge | ESPNFC
The big story in MLS was the firing of Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid. With Seattle hovering near the bottom of the Supporters Shield standings, sounds like the Sounders brass didn't want to wait to make a change.
Fifa World Cup: Africa will get two extra places if tournament expands - Infantino | BBC
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has long wanted to expand the World Cup to 40 teams. If he's successful in doing so for the 2026 tournament, he says two of those extra spots will be African teams. Somehow, CONCACAF will only get 0.5 of those extra spaces, but here's a thought: just keep the World Cup at 32 teams.
Winter break will not happen during current TV deal, says FA's Martin Glenn | The Guardian
There has been increasing talk to add a winter break to the EPL schedule, but the FA's chief executive says that it won't happen until the current TV deal expires in 2019. With England loading their club schedule up with FA Cup and Capital One Cup play, a winter break may create a tough, packed calendar of soccer in the second half of the season.
Juventus complete Gonzalo Higuain signing from Napoli in €90 million deal | ESPNFC
The 3rd richest transfer deal in history is done, and it's Higuain making the move from Napoli to Juve. Will this help facilitate the move of Paul Pogba to Manchester United?
Roberto Martinez linked to Atlanta United gig by Taylor Twellman | Pro Soccer Talk
Atlanta United is close to naming their first ever manager, and according to Taylor Twellman, Roberto Martinez would be interested in being the man in the ATL.
Diego Maradona willing to be Argentina manager for free | Fox Soccer
This didn't end well last time Diego Maradona served as the Argentine manager, but this time will be different, he claims. This time, he'd take charge of the embattled national team for free. We highly doubt that the Argentine FA is even interested, but they are in turmoil right now so maybe they're looking to see if jello will stick on the wall?
Neymar vows to keep partying as Games approach | Marca
As we are within 10 days of the start of the Olympics in Rio, Neymar is doing what young adults do: partying. As the Games enter the view of the world, Brazilians are hoping Neymar is focused on winning their first ever gold in soccer.
And there we are...the comments are open for business. So, get your freak on and enjoy the day!