Brotherly Game Daily Links 12/6/16

Philadelphia Union News

Andre Blake Named to MLS Best XI
Blake joins Sebastien Le Toux in Philadelphia Union history with the prestigious honor.

MLS News

Atlanta United signs Miguel Almirón, hopefully sparking a trend of ambitious MLS signings
Like Nicolás Lodeiro before him, Almirón is an impressive signing, and the type of signing that MLS should focus on.

Sounders compensated for Atlanta’s signing of Paraguayan playmaker
Sounders apparently had a discovery claim on Miguel Almiron.

MLS Best XI revealed: Who was the best at each position in 2016?
We know Andre Blake was named to the MLS Best XI, but who else made the squad?

D.C. United re-sign Steve Birnbaum
The USMNT center back is staying in our nation's capital.

MLS Cup sells out in three minutes
Demand for tickets for the league's showpiece, which takes place Saturday, was extremely high.

Atlanta United closing in on young trio from Newell’s Old Boys
Three young players could be headed to join Tata Martino.

NYCFC bolster their squad with USL MVP Sean Okoli
The young forward is looking to bring his talents to the big stage.

Atlanta United will set the new standard for MLS’ next era
Atlanta United FC’s aggressive spending and recruiting is a game-changer for MLS expansion teams, Paul Tenorio writes.

US Soccer News

The New York Cosmos are closing up shop, and they’re taking NASL with them
The current second division of American soccer is dead. What will the new second and third divisions look like? Your guess is as good as ours.