Kick Off: Nkufo set for debut, Donovan wins ESPYs

It’s July 15 and that means the opening of the month-long summer international transfer window for players to make their way to MLS.

The opening of the window coincides with D.C. United hosting the Seattle Sounders in a pivotal ESPN2 Game of the Week (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2 & ESPN Deportes). If the international transfer certificates (ITCs) come through for each club’s newest acquisitions, it could mark the debut of Sounders DP and World Cup star Blaise Nkufo, DC forward Pablo Hernandez and United DP Branko Boskovic.

Seattle’s Sigi Schmid has said Nkufo will not start even if the paperwork comes through. But he is in DC and could come off the bench. Schmid and Nkufo spoke at length with media on the eve of the DC match.

The major announcement of Thierry Henry’s arrival to join the New York Red Bulls has also brought some good luck to the club in addition to cachet. The Columbus Crew, who sit two points above NYRB at the top of the East, lost 1-0 at home to KC on Wednesday. A win by NY in Columbus on Saturday means first place.

Henry may announce whether or not he will be traveling to Columbus this weekend in his introduction to the media later on Thursday from Red Bull Arena (broadcast live on MLSsoccer.com at 1:15 p.m. ET).

The Philadephia Union’s 1-0 win against Celtic on Wednesday was not only their first against an international club, but it could also mean a contract for a player on trial with the MLS club.

Another player on trial in MLS is a Nigerian forward in Columbus.

San Jose Earthquakes GM John Doyle is convinced his club can win MLS Cup with its current roster.

Speaking of wheeling and dealing, the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham says it is likely there will be no more offseason loans for him in the future.

The frustrations of a 5-1 SuperLiga loss at the hands of Morelia on Wednesday have boiled over in the Fire locker room. Veteran Fire defender C.J. Brown says that the team is showing no signs of improvement.

The start of SuperLiga was a more positive one for the New England Revolution, who carried momentum from their 2-0 win over LA on the weekend and also defeated UNAM Pumas 1-0 at Gillette Stadium.

SuperLiga continues today with two Group A matches. The Houston Dynamo renew their rivalry with Pachuca (8 p.m. ET on TeleFutura), who will feature Americans Herculez Gomez and José Francisco Torres. Chivas USA also host Mexican side Puebla (10:30 p.m. ET on Galavisión), the club where Gomez made his name last season.

It was a busy day for Manchester United in Chicago on Wednesday as they held an open practice and officially unveiled their new kits for the season.

Manchester United play the MLS All-Stars at Reliant Stadium on July 28. You know Houston has been taken over by MLS All-Star Game fever when the baseball Astros manager is participating in a pick-up game during All-Star Week.

Speaking of other sports, Landon Donovan was one of the big winners alongside Drew Brees at the ESPYs on Wednesday night.

Paul the Oracle Octopus is still in the news: He might be the subject of a trade.

Sven-Göran Eriksson does Fulham’s work and gives the world an update on where the club stands on its coaching decision.

An agent for an Italian coach says US manager Bob Bradley is a problem for other interested parties in the Fulham post.

While an American is being touted as coach, another American was scoring a goal for Fulham on Wednesday in a preseason friendly.

Back in the USA, the proposed look of the new Portland Timbers home is sure to make it one of the great atmospheres in MLS come next year.