This is gonna be a light week for the Purple Press thanks to Christmas, etc. Unless something very unusual happens, we’re taking off until Friday, at which time we’ll resume our proprietary blend of news, opinion, and foolishness. Felices Navidades a todos!

• Forward Madison, who are in League One, will be hosting FC Augsburg of the German 1.Bundesliga for a friendly in May. So cool.
• Sacramento Republic hired former Real Monarchs coach Mark Briggs to be their new manager. Briggs left Monarchs in 2018 under a cloud surrounding abuse allegations.
• Phoenix Rising will be hosting five MLS teams in a preseason tournament to be held in Tucson this spring.
• In the women’s game, NWSL president Amanda Duffy talked with Miki Turner about the league’s goals going into 2020 and beyond.

Have a great week, a Merry Christmas, happy holidays of other varieties, and we’ll see you Friday!