If you’re like me, the holidays are a time of getting out of your workday routines due to relaxation/travel/stress.  In fact, at times I miss news stories because I tend not to check news sites or Twitter as much as I normally do.  So as I begin my work week routine again, I notice that I have missed some news items over the past week or so that were interesting or important.

So as a service to our loyal readers and fans who may have been more focused on family and friends than on following all the American soccer news out there (and you know who you are), here is a summary of the major goings-ons from the past week and a half that we have not covered here on MLS Talk.  And if my holiday celebration prevented me from including some major news, please enlighten or remind me in the comments section:

–  The Beckham loan rumors are flying again, and this time he is expected to become a bench option at Tottenham.  The rumor sounds fishy, but Harry Redknapp is crazy like a fox, so maybe there is something to this.  Expect a post this week on David Beckham and MLS.

–  The Generation Adidas class has been finalized, and nine college underclassmen will be part of the 2011 Superdraft, five from the NCAA champion Akron Zips.  Expect many of these players to be taken in the first round and possibly contribute immediately to their new clubs.

–  Edson Buddle and Omar Cummings have been eyed by a few English clubs, but no deals have been announced.  Both players are wanted by their current teams, so we shall see if anything comes of their overseas trainings.

–  Two players who definitely are moving overseas are Robbie Findley and Freddie Ljungberg.  Findley will sign with Nottingham Forest, a second-tier English club, once his work permit has been sorted out.  Former Chicago and Seattle player Ljungberg, who made his name playing for Arsenal prior to his MLS move, has signed a contract with Celtic.

–  In coaching news, Toronto looks set to hire ex-Netherlands international Aaron Winter as its new head coach and Revolution assistant Paul Mariner to the front office.  Or vice versa.  While it’s not official until the press conference, this is good news to TFC fans after the De Rosario controversy last week.  Chivas USA would then become the only team without a head coach, after Juan Carlos Osorio rejected an offer to take the team’s vacant position.  But it looks like RSL assistant Robin Fraser will be named the new head coach very soon.

–  American international Brad Guzan will finally get some starts for a club team, as Aston Villa have loaned him to Hull City.

What did I miss?