Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. A KEANE EYE
Robbie Keane has been voted the 2014 Volkswagen MLS MVP, the clear winner among players, media and club officials and in the process, the Irishman became the first European player to win the award in MLS (WATCH presentation here). But the week could get even better for Keane, who at 34 believes he can keep playing for at least another four years: The Galaxy host MLS Cup on Sunday.
2. BEEN HERE BEFORE
The LA Galaxy and the New England Revolution square off in MLS Cup 2014 on Sunday (3 pm ET, ESPN, UniMas, UDN, TSN1, RDS2), but this isn’t the first time the two sides have met in the final. In fact, all three meetings mark different eras in their respective club histories. As for LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena, Sunday will be his 7th MLS Cup appearance as a head coach in a long and storied career.
- REVOLUTION ON THE ROAD
With Sunday’s final taking place at the LA Galaxy’s StubHub Center home, the New England Revolution could be considered underdogs, but according to Revs head coach Jay Heaps, his side are more than comfortable on the road. Team owner Robert Kraft will be in attendance at the game and there’s nothing he’d like more than to see his side lift the MLS Cup.
4. MOST VALUABLE MARTINS
Obafemi Martins may have missed out on winning the Volkswagen MLS MVP award, finishing in second place, but he was at least voted the Seattle Sounders club MVP, which the club announced shortly after the news of Keane’s success on Wednesday. Meanwhile, following talk of retirement from defender Djimi Traore, it looks like another Sounder is retiring again.
5. TFC SAY NO TO DE RO
Toronto FC has exercised the contract options on 15 players while declining them on four, including parting ways with Canadian national team hero Dwayne De Rosario. As things stand though, Jermain Defoe is still a TFC player and, according to general manager Tim Bezbatchenko, he’s recovering well from his recent surgery.
6. FIRE GETTING STRONGER
For those keeping score, that’s two signings in two days for the Chicago Fire. Following the acquisition of Kennedy Igboananike, the club has also added Trinidad & Tobago international Joevin Jones. But the Fire aren’t done yet, with coach Frank Yallop stating that there are more deals on the way.
7. YANNICK AT THE DISCO
Will Yannick Djalo be returning to the San Jose Earthquake for a second spell? His history of injuries would appear to make him a serious gamble, but with Benfica looking to send the 28-year-old out on loan again, it seems the Portuguese club isn’t short of options for the player, including, reportedly, MLS newcomers Orlando City.
- FROM PORTMORE TO PORTLAND, PERMANENTLY?
Looks like right back Alvas Powell will be staying with the Portland Timbers next season, as the latest reports suggest that the club have opted to take up their option on the young Jamaican defender, reportedly paying Jamaican club Portmore United a transfer fee to secure his services on a permanent basis.
9. NEW DP, NEW LOOK FOR NEW YORK RED BULLS
Following a successful season in which he tied the MLS single-season goalscoring record, the New York Red Bulls have rewarded Bradley Wright-Phillips with a new Designated Player contract. It’s a departure from their previous DP signings, and perhaps the signing hints at a new club philosophy moving forward.
10. KEEL’ED OVER
Having had his option picked up by FC Dallas on Tuesday, the Texan club announced on Wednesday that Stephen Keel has successfully undergone surgery on his right foot and is expected to be out of action for 8-12 weeks.
11. MIAMI NEWS COMING SOON?
David Beckham’s potential Miami franchise and the need for a downtown stadium plan came up again during Tuesday’s State of the League address. But a representative from Beckham’s group wants the public to know that things are still progressing nicely, and that some positive news can be expected soon.
12. MINNEAPOLIS A “NO-BRAINER”
When it comes to the expansion quest of Minneapolis, there are two bids making a run. The NFL's Minnesota Vikings are one of them and they say they're willing to spend more on their new venue in order to land an MLS franchise. Whether it's the Vikings or the NASL's Minnesota United, according to ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, bringing soccer to Minneapolis is a “no-brainer”.
13. A COMMISSIONER'S LIFE
SI.com veteran soccer writer Grant Wahl sat down with MLS Commissioner Don Garber to look back at some of the major events that have marked his 15 years at the helm. With as far as the sport has come in the USA under his tutelage, the commissioner doesn't easily forget how tough the early days were.
- FOUR MORE YEARS
Having re-established Mexico as one of the strongest teams in CONCACAF, Miguel Herrera signed a contract extension with the Mexican Football Federation on Wednesday that will see him remain as national team manager for another four years, taking him through the 2018 World Cup. Elsewhere, Thomas Rongen is returning to domestic coaching as the new head coach of the NASL's Tampa Bay Rowdies.
15. HOWARD VS. FRIEDEL
While Tim Howard may have kept another clean sheet for Everton on Wednesday, things are getting considerably messier for him off the field. Howard’s memoir is due out this week and excerpts are already out, including one which launched a war of words with ex-US teammate and goalkeeper Brad Friedel.
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