MLS power rankings, Messi banned for four matches: Brotherly Game Daily Links 3/29/17

MLS News

MLS Power Rankings, Week 4: Slight changes after short week
Union drop two spots despite not playing a game.

Josef Martinez ruled out 4-6 weeks with injury
Tough loss for Atlanta United.

Sebastian Lletget to require foot surgery, out 4-6 months
Originally diagnosed with a left foot sprain, it turns out the LA Galaxy midfielder suffered a Lisfranc injury.

What next for cities abandoned by NFL teams?
Oakland, San Diego, St. Louis could try to lure another team, but they better be ready to spend.

Source: Bradley Wright-Phillips in contract extension talks with Red Bulls
It looks like there is going to be a new contract for one of the top scoring forwards in MLS over the past three years, a deal that will keep a record-setting striker in the league a bit longer.

Rest of the World News

FIFA hands Lionel Messi four-match ban for insulting referee in World Cup qualifier vs. Chile
FIFA dealt a four-match ban to Lionel Messi on Tuesday after ruling that the Argentina forward verbally abused a match official in a World Cup qualifying game against Chile last week.

Bolivia hand Lionel Messi-less Argentina 2-0 loss Colombia beat Ecuador
Bolivia beat Argentina 2-0, on a night when Edgardo Bauza's team were without the suspended Lionel Messi.

Spain defeat France with help of video replay while Italy beat Netherlands
The video assistant referee twice played an important role as Spain beat France 2-0 in a friendly in Paris on Tuesday.