In L.A., Dylan Hernandez writes the transfer of USMNT F Christian Pulisic from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund to EPL club Chelsea is a "landmark moment for U.S. Soccer." Pulisic will have a chance to "star for an upper-echelon team in what is widely considered the most competitive league in the world." But "considerable risk is attached to that opportunity, especially for U.S. Soccer." One of the U.S.' world-class players "could be reduced to a reserve role, which would slow his development and negatively affect" the USMNT (L.A. TIMES, 1/4).
NO DOUBLE JEOPARDY: ESPN.com's Jeff Carlisle reported the Supreme Court of the State of New York has "dismissed a lawsuit" filed by the NASL "against 15 board members" of the USSF. The court "ruled that the presence of a similar federal antitrust lawsuit filed by the NASL against the USSF and MLS made the New York case redundant, and since the federal suit was filed first, that is where the litigation will take place" (ESPN.com, 1/3).
WRONG MESSAGE: USA TODAY's Christine Brennan notes Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin is being "suspended by the NHL for one game" after he chose to skip the league's All-Star Game -- a "meaningless exhibition." Ovechkin should be "hailed for this decision, not punished for it." He is "missing the pomp and circumstance of the All-Star Game to help ensure his availability for the most important portion of the NHL season, the playoffs." Brennan: "How in the world does it help the NHL to keep Ovechkin out of a regular-season game?" (USA TODAY, 1/4).
