Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. BACK TO WORK
It's already that time again: MLS squads began reporting for preseason workouts on Thursday, with D.C. United and Montreal in particular counting down to CONCACAF Champions League knockout matches barely a month away. D.C. striker Fabian Espindola has been rewarded for his work last year with a new Designated Player contract, though Michael Seaton will be out for 6-8 weeks following surgery on his knee. Meanwhile, the Impact have completed the signing of Belgian defender Laurent Ciman. The 29-year-old was a member of his country's World Cup squad last summer, but didn’t make an appearance in Brazil.
2. US U-20s LEARN OPPONENT
With El Salvador finishing third in Group B of the CONCACAF U20 Championships, the US U-20s now know who they will face in Saturday’s World Cup playoff. Honduras and Guatemala face off in the other playoff, while Mexico and Panama have qualified automatically as group winners and will play for the tournament title.
3. CANADA ENDS ON A LOW
While Canada’s U-20s had already been eliminated from World Cup contention, their CONCACAF Championship campaign ended on a sour note with a 3-2 loss to Honduras that included a brace from Orlando City SC DP Bryan Rochez. Still, the Canadians at times showed glimpses of a promising future.
- ORLANDO’S BIGGEST FAN
Orlando City have revealed that the owner of their 10,000th season ticket is none other than baseball icon Ken Griffey, Jr. Might those committed fans also have a new Brazilian defender to get excited about soon? And whether you're a Lions supporter or not, don't miss Andrew Wiebe's inside look at the expansion side's first-ever MLS SuperDraft, the latest installment of MLSsoccer.com's The Word.
5. CHICAGO'S GREAT SCOT
Chicago Fire fans may soon have something to smile about, as reports on both sides of the Atlantic suggest that coach Frank Yallop has secured the transfer of Scottish international Shaun Maloney from English club Wigan Athletic. It seems Maloney's strong desire to join the Men in Red was decisive in the deal getting done, and he may even be able to join the Fire "in the next day or so," according to Latics boss Malky Mackay.
6. SOUNDERS' NEW ASSISTANT
It had been rumoured for a while and on Thursday the Seattle Sounders made it official, hiring 14-year MLS veteran Ante Razov as the club’s new assistant coach. Having spent the last two years working as a U-18 coach for the LA Galaxy, Razov’s new job will see him reunited with Sigi Schmid, whom he played for back in his college days.
7. ANOTHER NEW SIGNING FOR TFC?
With the Polish international having terminated his contract with Real Betis, Toronto FC appear to be closing in on defender Damien Perquis. In the meantime, despite being linked with a move to Orlando City before recieving a new contract, TFC’s Mark Bloom insists the club was never even on his radar.
8. ZUSI’S NEW GOAL
Graham Zusi could be set to miss the start of Sporting Kansas City’s new season due to a Grade 4 stress fracture in his foot. But the target for the year remains the same for the SKC Designated Player, who says, “Our goal is going to win the West, it’s as simple as that.”
9. BONE’S BACK
Having just signed with the Wilmington Hammerheads, former Chicago Fire and Philadelphia Union midfielder Corben Bone could be one of the first to benefit from the USL PRO side’s new MLS affiliation, as the 26-year-old will spend the MLS preseason training with New York City FC.
- ON YOUR BIKE
Tim Cahill scored both goals in Australia’s 2-0 win over China on Thursday, including a fantastic overhead kick, to help send the Socceroos into the Asian Cup semifinals. Meanwhile Justin Meram's Iraq played out a thriller against Iran, finishing 3-3 after extra time before Iraq won the subsequent penalty-kick shootout 7-6.
11. OF NATIONAL IMPORTANCE
As recent TFC draftee Alex Bono makes the most of his first US national team camp, three potential USMNTers from Columbus Crew SC aren’t letting their lack of call-ups get them down. As for Robbie Rogers, Jurgen Klinsmann has stated he will be happy to talk to the LA Galaxy player regarding his future with the US, and more.
12. AWARD FOR ARENA
Few would argue against Bruce Arena being called the most successful coach in US soccer history, and the LA Galaxy head coach has now received the highest honor available in US Soccer after being named the recipient of the Werner Fricker Builder award.
13. CHEERING THE OTHER GUYS
Although there’s still nothing new to report in regards to an MLS franchise in Miami, that isn’t stopping members of the City’s ‘Southern Legion’ supporters group from making plans for the new season, with many of them planning to attend Orlando City’s first game of the year – to support New York City FC.
14. WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Atlanta’s supporters' group, the Terminus Legion, recently held a vote to find the preferred name for their new MLS team. While this voting is in no way official or binding, the group has now narrowed the intriguing list down to the five most popular candidates.
- STAY STRONG
As Fox Sports prepares to begin their new MLS coverage, the network has made a popular choice by hiring John Strong as a full-time play-by-play commentator. Strong previously did similar work for NBC, and before that was the TV and radio voice of the Portland Timbers.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Timbers’ Paulson talks MLS past, present and future
Game On: Preseason schedules for every MLS team
Former Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco running for office in Mexico
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