Breakfast Links - January 3, 2022

Welcome to another edition of the Breakfast Links. 2022, let’s do this!

Houston

It sounds like an announcement on a new coach (Paulo Nagamura) is imminent, perhaps by the time you are reading this.

With a new coach in the fold, Dynamo fans are all hoping we start to see some more roster moves. Is there a Designated Player or two on the way? How much money will this new regime spend on the roster? The offseason is now going to start to answering some questions.

Make sure to check out the Dynamo Theory podcast if you haven’t already. Our latest episode is now out everywhere you get your podcasts.

MLS

The Dynamo may be quiet but it was a busy weekend for MLS teams and transactions. The biggest move is Ricardo Pepi’s reported $20 million transfer from FC Dallas to Augsburg in the German Bundesliga. The deal is reportedly done, as of Sunday evening.

Another young striker leaving MLS is Orlando City’s Daryl Dike. The 21 year old has signed with West Bromwich Albion in England for a reported $9.5 million. Dike lit up the English Championship last season with Barnsley and West Brom hopes he can do so again to help the West Midlands club’s push for promotion.

While players are leaving Major League Soccer, there are some staying. MLS Cup champions New York City FC re-signed playmaker Maxi Moralez. The Argentine will no longer occupy a Designated Player spot. Another player staying in the New York area is teenager Caden Clark. The midfielder had signed with RB Leipzig last summer but stayed with the New York Red Bulls to finish the MLS season. Now with RB Leipzig facing a bit of turmoil, reports are that Clark will return to Harrison at least for the start of the 2022 MLS season.

Around the World

Chelsea and Liverpool played an entertaining match, with American Christian Pulisic scoring the equalizer in a 2-2 draw. The result didn’t help either club in the table, with Manchester City beginning to stretch their lead at the top.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Luuk de Jong scored the only goal of the match to give FC Barcelona a much-needed win on Sunday. A COVID-19 outbreak at the club forced Barca to travel to Mallorca with just 11 first-team players. The win moves Barcelona to within one point off the top four in Spain’s LaLiga.