SHORT TAKES
• FC Kansas City has won two consecutive NWSL championships, but its attempt to three-peat in 2016 is looking like an uphill battle. Forward Amy Rodriguez, a national team standout, announced at the beginning of January that she was pregnant and would miss most of the season. In response, KC traded for her fellow U.S. forward Sydney Leroux — who, three weeks later, announced that she too was pregnant and would miss the season.
• You have to admire young U.S. center back Matt Miazga, who is headed to Chelsea after a breakout season with the New York Red Bulls. Chelsea is struggling defensively but has nine defenders currently out on loan; clearly Miazga doesn't shy away from that competition, or from an English media that slammed Chelsea for signing an "unknown."
• U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones, still without a club, described his six-game MLS suspension as "crazy." Given that Jones was suspended for running half the field to shove the referee, his take is certainly debatable.
