Kick Off: Coaching carousel spins in Canada

Oh la la! The rumors are flying (presumably on Air Canada) about whose name will come up when the Montreal Impact name their first MLS coach on Wednesday.

The frontrunner, according to The Washington Post’s Steven Goff, is former Chivas USA and Chicago Fire star Jesse Marsch, who is reportedly a friend of Matt Jordan, the former MLS goalkeeper who is now director of soccer operations for the Impact.

This Radio Canada report (FRENCH) mentions several other candidates for the Impact job, including Columbus TD Brian Bliss and Puerto Rico Islanders coach Colin Clarke. But the report’s top choice is Colorado technical director Paul Bravo, something the Rapids categorically deny.

Speaking of Canadian MLS clubs and coaches, looks like the Vancouver Whitecaps will have called a press conference for Tuesday afternoon reportedly to announce a new manager to take over next season.

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Staying with the theme of new coaches, Jurgen Klinsmann on Monday conducted his first training sessions as manager of the US national team. The 22 players called in for Wednesday’s friendly with Mexico (9 pm ET, ESPN2/Univisión, get tickets) went through double sessions in Philadelphia as the new boss began to set out his philosophy, which includes increasing the “depth in the player pool that is really attacking-minded."

Klinsi seems to have picked up a common contemporary Americanism: “It is what it is.” Whatever “it” is, the players are responsible for doing it. For goalkeeper Tim Howard, it is a W against El Tri.

For FC Dallas defender Zach Loyd, who was called up by Klinsmann to replace Timmy Chandler, “it” is something entirely different and it involves a weapon.

Meanwhile, Mexican fullback Carlos Salcido sees a “very German” future for the US national team and expects a particularly strong game from the Americans because they have a new coach.

Obviously, there is plenty to talk about ahead of the USA-Mexico match. Which explains why ESPN has decided to have a full-blown pregame show, starting at 8:30 pm ET on ESPNews.

A couple of teams that talked the talk and then walked the walk during the Herbalife World Football Challenge were Manchester United and Real Madrid, both of whom went undefeated during the tournament. But who is the real winner when it comes these big “summer of soccer” exhibitions?

The way he’s been playing this season, it’s a rare day that the LA Galaxy’s David Beckham isn’t in the news, but today it’s his off-field activities that are deserving of ink. Tattoo ink, that is.

Becks is also teaming up with some fellow celebs for some reggae-infused, social-media-powered altruism to help Save the Children combat famine in East Africa.

High-profile soccer players might help fight hunger, but a high-profile soccer match can do nothing to combat rioters in London. The England-Netherlands friendly scheduled for Wednesday at Wembley Stadium has been canceled in the wake of four days of violent unrest across the country.

Things aren’t going well for the New York Red Bulls these days. Hans Backe’s side is 1-4-5 in their last 10, but the coach got the (dreaded?) vote of confidence on Monday. Will that confidence shine when they hold a public practice in Manhattan today?

For New York, the goalkeeper position has been a topic of conversation all season. Summer acquisition Frank Rost was supposed to solidify things, but he came out at halftime of the loss at Real Salt Lake. And his backup, Bouna Coundoul, says he’s still in the fight for the No. 1 spot.

The US women’s national team nearly took the No. 1 spot in the world when they thrilled the nation during the Women’s World Cup. But The New York Times is not so thrilled with the future prospects of the WPS.

For FC Barcelona star Gerard Piqué, the future looks bright when it comes to women — or one woman, in particular. Watch now.