Lots of links today because a lot happened yesterday. Let’s go.

Cameron Lancaster to Nashville, probably

Cam Lancaster is reportedly going to sign with Nashville SC. His deal will look something like the Adi and Alashe signings that Cincinnati made in 2018, where Cam will be signed by Nashville’s MLS franchise and loaned to the USL squad for 2019 before they make the jump in 2020. Rumor was Orlando City offered him a MLS minimum contract for 2019, but it appears Nashville was poised to make a better deal.

Nashville was apparently as nonplussed with their 2018 squad as I was, as they’ve also signed a prolific Western Conference goalscorer in Kharlton Belmar to go along with former Chivas and NCFC striker Daniel Rios, as well as the re-signed Ropapa Mensah and Lebo Moloto. Now to see whether manager Gary Smith can actually do anything with his new toys.

CONFERENCE ALIGNMENT!

I remember when I cared a bit more about college football than I do now that just hearing the phrase “conference realignment” made me shudder. No more! USL announced yesterday the 2019 conference alignment, which, as of today, still includes Ottawa Fury. As expected, St. Louis returns to the east, and will be joined by Swope Park Rangers and newcomers Loudoun United, Memphis 901, Hartford Athletic, and Birmingham Legion. Pour one or three out for Richmond Kickers, Torontwo and Penn FC, who have departed to League One.

Each conference will feature 18 teams for the 2019 season, and 34 games which should mean an actual home and home schedule. No longer will we have to wonder if somebody’s points are inflated or deflated because of their ease or strength of schedule! No more will I have to refer to ELO ratings to figure out whether Charleston’s actually good or if they just look that way because they got to play Toronto three times! Points per game won’t be discussed with near the frequency as in days of old! We might even have something approaching a balanced schedule where everyone’s played the same number of games at nearly all times! Ok, that’s probably a bridge too far. Still. Cool.

OTHER STUFF