Sources: Portland Timbers, head coach Gio Savarese have agreed to a new contract.

Savarese has been with the club since the 2018 season, advancing to MLS Cup twice and making the playoffs in 4 of 5 seasons. Previous deal was set to expire after 2023.

Bezbatchenko also noted they wanted to create flexibility for whoever the new head coach is.

Both Pedro Santos and Derrick Etienne Jr. are eligible for MLS free agency. Both are expected to have plenty of interest.

Columbus Crew president & GM Tim Bezbatchenko says declining the club option on Pedro Santos + Derrick Etienne being out of contract were 'salary cap casualties.'

Doesn't say 100% definitively there's no chance they return, but, indicates pretty heavily that they won't return.

Reports suggesting Evander has a $15m release clause aren't quite accurate, but the potential fee would still be significant. Evander has 1g/4a in 4 Europa League apps this year, linked with Rangers in the summer.

Portland Timbers set for a very busy offseason.

Sources: Portland Timbers are in advanced talks to sign Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander from FC Midtjylland in a potential club record deal.

Evander, 24, has 50g/38a in 165 apps in Denmark since joining in 2019. Former Brazil youth int'l. Would obviously be a DP.

Sources: Charlotte FC have finalized a long-term deal to name Christian Lattanzio head coach.

Also: Sporting director Zoran Krneta has agreed to a new long-term extension, as did director of scouting Thomas Schaling & head of analytics Lisando Isei. mlssoccer.com/news/sources-c…

Spoiler: I die at the end.

Ref giving two techs in the same sequence to eject someone for yelling is so painfully soft

A nice #RSL & Sergio Cordova tidbit from Tom Bogert today. Looks like Cordova is likely coming back. Read the full article too, you won’t regret it: mlssoccer.com/news/three-big…

The Brittney Griner situation is a complete nightmare. With a denied appeal, she'll be moved to a Russian penal colonial and the possibility of her getting out anytime soon is bleak. Imagine.

If you can't feel some kind of empathy for her or her family, I just —

my heart hurts

Seattle Sounders the latest to announce roster decisions.

Not a lot here but: Jordan Morris and Cristian Roldan each are entering the final year of their contracts in 2023. Will we see new deals soon or will it linger?

That + more roster updates ⬇️
mlssoccer.com/news/who-s-in-…

NEWS: Gritty Film Productions – a Hollywood film company focused on developing true sports dramas – has reached an agreement with #MLS / #Quakes74 legend Chris Wondolowski to develop his life story.

Details and reaction from Wondo and producer Ted Collins: theathletic.com/3729217/2022/1…

Philadelphia Union head coach Jim Curtin has been named 2022 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year.

It's the second time Curtin has won the award. The Union topped the Eastern Conference and had the second best goal difference in league history (+46) this year.

Really, really surprised there’s no Brandon Vazquez, Djordje Mihailovic or Eryk Williamson.

LA Galaxy.

- What flexibility is there for further change?
- Will Dejan Joveljic still be here?
- Will 2023 be PuigMania?

mlssoccer.com/news/three-big…

Reporting with Dylan Butler to add to this: Houston Dynamo had preliminary talks with Juan Carlos Osorio, per sources, but talks didn’t advance.

JCO — former manager of Mexico, Paraguay, RBNY, Chicago Fire and more — hired as pundit by ESPN to cover World Cup from Qatar.