Around The Forest: Jonathan Gonzalez files one time switch to Mexico

Portland

For Portland Timbers' brass, Savarese quickly separated from the pack | MLSsoccer.com
When the Portland Timbers parted with longtime coach Caleb Porter in November, the club's front office had an urgent decision ahead: With offseason moves already in the works, they needed a new manager quickly. Fortunately for owner Merritt Paulson and general manager Gavin Wilkinson, it didn't take long for Giovanni Savarese to become their clear frontrunner.

Portland Timbers Training Quotes and Notes: Columbian Colombians Edition - Stumptown Footy
(This is an old piece but talks about Corea’s links to PTFC)Practice today at the Timbers' Beaverton training center was separated into two groups with Futty Danso and a group of younger players working out on the turf pitch while Sunday's probable eighteen were over on the natural grass surface. Training was closed briefly while Gavin Wilkinson addressed the team, after which both groups of players played small field games for the rest of practice.

Major League Soccer

Perry Kitchen returns to MLS with LA Galaxy after trade with D.C. United - sources
The LA Galaxy have signed midfielder Perry Kitchen to a new contract, completing a free transfer from Danish side Randers after finalizing a trade with D.C. United for his MLS rights, sources have told ESPN FC.

New York Red Bulls ink 17-year-old Ben Mines to Homegrown Player contract | MLSsoccer.com
The New York Red Bulls have signed midfielder Ben Mines to an MLS Homegrown Player contract, making the Connecticut native the eighth Homegrown signing on the current roster.

The 17-year-old Mines joined the Red Bulls Academy as an under-14 player, and has made 16 USL appearances with Red Bulls II since August of 2016, scoring twic

Report: RB Leipzig's Kaiser could imagine himself with sister club RBNY | MLSsoccer.com
Bundesliga veteran Dominik Kaiser used his winter break to visit New York City and, apparently, the digs of his team's sister club. According to local German paper LVZ, Red Bull Leipzig's all-time appearance leader dropped by the New York Red Bulls during his holiday to the Big Apple and said he could imagine himself playing there.

2019 CONCACAF Champions League qualifying process clarified | MLSsoccer.com
There is still only one MLS club that has officially qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) CONCACAF and the US Soccer Federation on Monday clarified the procedures by which the US-based qualifiers to the CCL are determined, specifically addressing the scenario that was triggered when Toronto FC won 2017 MLS Cup

Colorado Rapids seal moves for US int'l Edgar Castillo, Wolves' Jack Price | MLSsoccer.com
The Colorado Rapids have finalized the signings of US international and Monterrey left back Edgar Castillo, as well as Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Jack Price, to continue their roster rebuild under new coach Anthony Hudson. Castillo's addition comes after MLSsoccer.com reported last month he would join Colorado on a year-long loan.

LA Galaxy sign David Bingham, Servando Carrasco to deals - sources
The LA Galaxy have signed goalkeeper David Bingham and midfielder Servando Carrasco to new contracts, multiple sources have told ESPN FC. The Galaxy acquired Bingham's rights last month from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for a combined $200,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money.

United States

Jonathan Gonzalez to file one-time switch to join Mexico - Stars and Stripes FC
It had been rumored for weeks, and now it looks to be official: Monterrey midfielder Jonathan Gonzalez is expected to file a one-time switch with FIFA to move from representing the United States to playing for Mexico. The news was initially reported by Univision earlier today, with the Washington Post’s Steven Goff confirming the report.

Source: Schalke in on American Eyrk Williamson | Metro US
Eryk Williamson might be the next Yank abroad as the former Maryland midfielder could be joining one of the brightest young American stars as a teammate on one of Europe’s best teams.

World

John Herdman Does A National Team Gender Swap; Appointed As Canada Men's National Team Manager
Canadian Soccer received a massive New Year jolt on Monday when it was announced by the Canadian Soccer Association that John Herdman, coach of the women’s national team, had replaced Ecuadorian Octavio Zambrano as the man in charge of the men’s national team.

Cristiano Ronaldo 49th most valuable Gareth Bale not in top 100 study
Cristiano Ronaldo's market value has plunged and the Real Madrid star is now just the 49th most valuable player in the world, according to research from the CIES Football Observatory.

Alexis Sanchez could join Manchester City by end of week - sources
Arsenal striker Alexis Sanchez could complete a move to Manchester City by the end of the week after the two clubs opened talks over a deal, sources have told ESPN FC. The Gunners have given up on trying to persuade Sanchez, 29, to sign a new contract at the Etihad Stadium, with the Chilean out of contract in the summer.

Chelsea's Antonio Conte has no regrets over Jose Mourinho comments
Antonio Conte says he has no regrets about firing back at Jose Mourinho and does not believe their public war of words is damaging the reputations of Chelsea or Manchester United. Tensions escalated further following Chelsea's goalless draw with Norwich City on Saturday, with Conte calling Mourinho a "little man" with a "very low profile" as well as a "fake" after the United manager had made an apparent reference to the Italian's past suspension for failure to report match-fixing.

January transfer news & rumours: Arsenal want Mahrez to replace Alexis | Goal.com
Goal takes a look at the biggest transfer rumours from the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and beyond as we head into the winter window