Daily Links: Sounders advance past Dallas to set up LAFC clash

MLS News

Sounders advance passed FC Dallas with 1-0 home win
Sounders advance to face LAFC in the Western Conference Semis after a 1-0 home win in Game 3 against FC Dallas.

St Louis City SC’s Roman Burki voted MLS goalkeeper of the year
Burki, who was selected for the MLS All-Star Game, played all but one MLS game for City SC (only two keepers played every game) and was second in saves with 123. Though he was ninth in the league in goals allowed with 42, but led the league in expected goals minus goals allowed, saving 9.1 goals over the course of the season that would have been expected to go in against an average goalkeeper.

Is MLS’ new best-of-three playoff format working?
For a league in which tinkering with everything that can be tinkered with has always been central to its identity, the new structure also just represented the status quo: In MLS, always expect change.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC announce 2024 roster updates
Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Friday that the club has exercised the 2024 Major League Soccer contract options on five players, bringing the first team roster to 19 players for next year, as well as two players out on loan.

FC Cincinnati’s Roman Celentano wins 2023 MLS Save of the Year
The 23-year-old was heroic in the waning moments at TQL Stadium, denying Steven Moreira’s close-range header to preserve a 3-2 result. Celentano showed spectacular reflexes to dive across his goal line, punching the ball over the net after a dangerous free-kick opportunity.

FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta wins 2023 MLS Goal of the Year
Acosta’s solo run began in his own half and saw him evade several defenders, including one via nutmeg, before depositing his right-footed shot into the top corner of the net. In trademark style, the No. 10 showed incredible close control before applying the final touch.

US Soccer News

U.S. Soccer announces November USMNT Nations League roster
Four players who were left off the roster in previous windows due to injuries or coach’s decision make their return to the roster: forward Paxten Aaronson, defender Antonee Robinson, goalkeeper Gaga Slonina and midfielder Malik Tillman. Tillman was part of the October roster before having to withdraw due to injury. Paxten Aaronson joins his brother Brenden on the roster.