• Player moves are one thing, but franchise moves are another. Strangely, a move is the fate for the current National Women's Soccer League champions, the Western New York Flash. The team has been bought by Steve Malik, who also owns the former Carolina RailHawks franchise in NASL, now called North Carolina FC. Flash fans will have to travel to North Carolina if they want to see their team's championship banner raised.
• Next week is the annual MLS combine for college players and the MLS SuperDraft on Jan. 13. Minnesota United holds the first pick. The opening of MLS training camps is just over two weeks away. It's hard to believe, with the thermometer seemingly stuck below zero, but it's almost soccer season in America again.
• More worries for Woodbury native Kassey Kallman, who has been stuck with Boston, the worst team in the NWSL over the past few years. Kallman was traded to Washington this year, but the Spirit have lost several key pieces. Among them is the team's best player, Crystal Dunn, who is moving to England to play for Chelsea.
