Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SHEA HEADING SOUTH?
Is Brek Shea on his way back to MLS? The former FC Dallas star has struggled for form since joining Stoke City in the English Premier League, finding himself loaned out to lower-division clubs. But according to a report from the Orlando Sentinel, Shea is set to join Orlando City for their inaugural season.
2. NEW FORWARD FOR THE FIRE?
The Chicago Fire's offseason makeover continues, as reports have suggested that, barring any last-minute setbacks, the club is set to sign a Ghanaian forward from Swedish side Helsingborg to a Designated Player contract.
3. THE STADIUM STORY
The crucial vote on D.C. United’s stadium has been pushed back slightly, from Tuesday to Wednesday morning at 10 am, but ahead of that all-important decision, here’s a great look at how United slowly but surely arrived at this stage.
4. A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Frank Lampard once again proved how important a player he is, scoring the only goal in Manchester City’s win on Saturday. New York City FC Director of Football Claudio Reyna is currently in Manchester for club matters, including discussions regarding Lampard, a player Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has definitely taken a liking to.
5. CAHILL’S CHOICE
Will New York Red Bulls fans see Tim Cahill back in the club's jersey once again next season? That remains unclear but, according to Cahill, it’s a decision that’s up to him, with the Australian international stating, “For me, it’s easy. I have loads of options, but if I want to stay, I will stay.”
6. LIMITED RE-ENTRY
The first phase of the Re-Entry Draft was completed on Friday, with only three players finding new homes. Robbie Findley is heading to Toronto FC, while two former Sporting Kansas City goalkeepers, Andy Gruenebaum and Eric Kronberg, were picked up by the San Jose Earthquakes and the Montreal Impact, respectively.
7. PHASE TWO
The second phase of the Re-Entry Draft takes place on Thursday and,with teams able to negotiate terms with players in this phase, expect more action. Two players have already opted out of the process entirely as Conor Casey and Mauro Rosales hope to renegote contracts with their current clubs. Here is who is available.
8. TORONTO ADD FORWARD OPTIONS
In addition to picking up Findley, Toronto FC have re-signed Bright Dike to a new contract, giving the Canadian side even more options up front. Having missed most of 2014 with another ACL injury, will 2015 be the year Dikie finally fulfills his potential, which once included international caps for Nigeria?
9. ANIBABA ON THE MOVE
On Friday, Sporting Kansas City confirmed that, after Jalil Anibaba was chosen by Orlando City in the Expansion Draft, the Lions have sent the former Chicago Fire and Seattle Sounders defender to Kansas City as part of the trade for Aurelien Collin.
10. GREAT SCOTT
The Seattle Sounders may have lost Anibaba, but one player who doesn’t appear to be going anywhere is Zach Scott. Despite a lot of speculation about retirement, the defender has seemingly confirmed via Twitter that he’ll be back next year.
11. USL UPDATE
USL PRO is currently sanctioned as the third division of professional soccer in the USA, but with the league set for significant growth in 2015, reports from USL PRO meetings in Florida suggest that the league could be looking to move up in 2017.
12. STORY WITH STEFFEN
One of the highly touted 'keepers in the college ranks, Maryland's Zack Steffen, has officially signed for German Bundesliga side Freiburg, and the youngster has also been named to Tab Ramos’ squad for the upcoming US Under-20 camp in Honduras.
13. CLUB AMERICA: MEXICO’S TEAM
Club América can now lay claim to being the most successful side in Mexico after beating Tigres 3-0 to win their 12th Liga MX title. A bizarre second leg saw Tigres finish with eight men, as Mexican-American Ventura Alvarado and América came out on top against Tigres US national team veterans Herculez Gomez and Jose Torres.
14. CRUZ AZUL SHINE IN THE RAIN
While Club América were wrapping up Liga MX on Sunday, current CONCACAF Champions League winners Cruz Azul were half a world away earning a 3-1 win over Australian side Western Sydney Wanderers to book a FIFA Club World Cup semifinal against European champions Real Madrid.
15. CAVALIERS CLAIM COLLEGE CUP
The NCAA College Cup reached its conclusion Sunday with Virginia beating UCLA on penalties to win their seventh title. Leo Stolz had been a standout this season for UCLA, and while his season did not end with a trophy, the German midfielder confirmed after the game that he hopes to play in MLS next year.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Draft Tracker: Catching up on the offseason drafts? Here’s everything you missed
Virginia are NCAA champions, meet the Cavalier most like to make the jump to MLS
Transfer Watch: Are Orlando City after Ashley Cole?
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