Opinion

As Major League Soccer enters its 28th season, one example of the league's growing strength is just how difficult it is to determine which 10 stadiums you'd like to visit most. 

I'll whisper it, but I feel like I'm discerning some faint traces of light ahead with regards to the USMNT's direction. There's obviously still no permanent manager, but every day takes us further from Gregg Berhalter and closer to what's demanded when hosting the world's greatest sporting event come 2026.

They promised us the good old days when league-leading Arsenal welcomed third-place Manchester United to the Emirates on Sunday; a bit of blood and thunder of the Roy Keane-Patrick Vieira, Ruud van Nistelrooy-Martin Keown variety that's been largely lacking over the last 15 years of this rivalry.

Well it was just like old times with the Gunners taking the majority of possession and menacing throughout but United looking no less virile when they thundered forward on the counter (although the presence of Wout Weghorst does take some of the glamor away).

As Mary J. Blige once said, "No drama, no more in my life (no more drama in my life, no one's gonna make me hurt again)." I'm so tired of the USMNT manager discussion, so this is the only time I'm going to mention that or the fact that Anthony Hudson is serving as interim head coach for January camp. Let's get back to the only things that matter, the game and the players who play it.

MANCHESTER - Manchester United were outclassed by Manchester City in the last local derby but the mood could not be more different as they prepare to host their city rivals in the Premier League on Saturday in the middle of a remarkable run of form.

League leaders Arsenal, meanwhile, face another test of their credentials in a derby of their own away to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday on a weekend where local rivalries could have a huge say in the title race.

The global 2023 soccer calendar just doesn't relent from month to month with the usual suspects (Premier League, Champions League, etc.) demanding and receiving our attention, but a few soccer-centric things have flown under the radar in the new year. 

Update your Google Calendar, set a reminder with Alexa or just make a mental note of these five happenings.

This was always going to be a strange January camp for the USMNT with it directly following a World Cup. As usual it falls outside a FIFA international window, so the roster will be composed of MLS players, but now we also know that the team will be guided by an interim manager, Anthony Hudson.

After finishing his professional career on Nov. 8 with a red card and the infamous last words of "I s**t on your prostitute mother!" aimed at the referee, Gerard Piqué has returned to the limelight with his latest business venture, serving as the president of the Kings League in Barcelona.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti said his team does not need winter signings as it is in good shape to resume the season in LaLiga, where they trail leaders Barcelona by two points.

The Italian coach considers that having healthy players, such as striker Karim Benzema, will be the key to face the schedule that awaits the Madrid side, who will be looking to defend their LaLiga, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League titles.