The Daily Dirt, December 18: Manchester City on top of the World

The Manchester Freight Train

Manchester City has been unbeatable, both literally and figuratively. 18 matches into the Premier League season and they are still undefeated, with their only blemish coming as a draw in their second game of the season against Everton. Just when you think they might have slipped against Spurs, they end up dominating 4-1.

City sits eleven points clear of second place Manchester United, with an insane 44+ goal differential. City’s 16th straight victory ties Guardiola’s 16 straight victories with Barcelona and is just three away from tying the longest winning run in a top-flight European league, which is also held by Guardiola when he was with Bayern.

Josef Martinez receives more (deserved) recognition

Martinez won the PremiosUD’s MLS player of the year award for his strong debut season in MLS, which featured him scoring a goal nearly ever 90 minutes on the pitch during the regular season. If not for injuries, he may have won league MVP and the Golden Boot.

Is #BarcoWatch becoming more of joke?

Ezequiel Barco to Atlanta seems to be either falling through or overblown. Yesterday, Independiente VP, Pablo Moyano, reported said: "Barco is not going anywhere for less than $20 million". For more on this story, I recommend checking out Eric’s post below.

Domestic

Where MLS teams could be drawn in the CONCACAF Champions League (MLSSoccer)

LAFC is following its own path in building toward its inaugural MLS season (LATimes)

With in-depth report, Austin mulls pros, cons of 8 sites for MLS use (MyStatesMan)

International

Former World Player of the Year Kaka Announces Retirement (SI)

Real Madrid First Team To Retain Club World Cup; Next Comes Barcelona In El Clasico (Forbes)

Manchester City in league of their own as they make light work of helpless Tottenham (Independent)

Champions League draw will bring best out of Real, PSG, Barcelona, Man Utd (ESPN)