Brotherly Game Daily Links: Concacaf announces new Champions League format

MLS News

MLS Western Conference roster build status
As it’s the silly season, it’s thus an appropriate time to take a look through every team’s current roster build situation and depth chart.

MLS extends deadline for CBA negotiations with players again
MLS announced that it has once again extended its deadline for negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the MLS Players Association (MLSPA) for 24 hours until 11:59 p.m. ET on Feb. 5.

FC Cincinnati set to acquire Brazilian Forward Brenner as new Designated Player
Brenner attracted the attention of many clubs abroad after a season that saw him score 17 goals over 33 matches. He also appeared in 18 matches for the Brazilian U-17 national team including 7 appearances in the 2017 U-17 World Cup.

Pity Martinez makes a splash return to MLS with FC Cincinnati
The Argentinian had a break out year in 2018 earning South American and Argentinian Player of the Year awards. That earned Pity a transfer to Atlanta where he spent the 2019 and parts of the 2020 season before transferring for $18 million in the summer window to Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia.

Atlanta United close to signing River Plate midfielder Santiago Sosa
Sosa is a deep-lying midfielder who would fit the mold of the type of player that manager Gabriel Heinze is said to prefer in the holding midfield position. That said, he’s certainly capable and willing to join the attack in possession and even makes runs into the box.

Austin FC sign free agent forward Aaron Schoenfeld ahead of 2021 MLS season
Schoenfeld, 30, spent last year with Minnesota United FC upon his return from Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he won an Israeli Premier League title in 2018-19. Across five seasons in MLS, Schoenfeld has six goals and three assists in 65 games (17 starts).

CF Montreal Signs Ahmed Hamdi
After playing with Cairo-based powerhouse Al Ahly’s U-23 team, Hamdi became part of the club’s senior squad in 2018, scoring two goals and adding three assists in 18 games.

Red Bulls close to move for Celtic attacker Cameron Harper
The deal would involve a permanent transfer rather than awaiting Harper’s free agency in the summer and while the Times report claimed a transfer fee was agreed, Once A Metro sources have indicated that discussions over a final fee remain the last hurdle to the deal’s completion.

Eryk Williamson signs multi-year extension with Timbers
Williamson had a breakout year for the Timbers in 2020, tallying three goals and six assists in 26 appearances (22 starts) across all competitions.

Concacaf News

Concacaf Champions League to institute new expanded format starting in 2023
Staring in 2023, the tournament will feature a regionalized group stage that will be played in the fall and feature 20 clubs from Canada, Mexico and the US, as well as 20 from Central America and 10 from the Caribbean.