You might have noticed the slight uptick in activity on the site over the last week, with four new posts going up. That’s not that busy, but it is when compared to the previous few barren weeks that preceded it. Things have finally slowed down a bit at work after the turn of the new year, and my now 13-month-old daughter has become slightly more self-sufficient. As such, I finally have time to write again. Which has been nice.

And honestly, he timing of this slight increase in free-time couldn’t have been any better. A hot-ticket weekend of derbies in Europe — and of course, WSOTP will once again be hosting further watch parties at Cincinnati’s Rhinehaus bar for the North London and Merseyside Derbites this weekend! MLS preseason is also in full-swing now too, meaning the trickling faucet of stories on the domestic front has suddenly morphed into a busted, gushing fire hydrant. I already have a half dozen articles in the works, so hopefully you’ll see the fruits of those labors in the coming days.

In the mean time, be sure to come join us this weekend for the Derby action if you happen to be in Cincinnati. If you’re not, the latest links round up will have to suffice.

Me, every Super Bowl. – foxtrot.com

Well this is awfully crappy of Manchester United. – thesportsbible.com

Why expanding the MLS playoffs is a bad idea. – soccergods.com

Qatar’s World Cup template had a Beta version in handball. – slate.com

The MLSPU’s take on the ongoing collective bargaining agreement talks. – orlandosentinel.com

Someone get me all of these sneakers, please. Thanks. – theoriginalwinger.com

Maybe something is finally brewing in Miami… – miamidade.gov

Watching someone’s greatest moment ever is fun. – vine.co/FilGoal

The story behind Toronto landing Giovinco. – torontosun.com