Welcome to Starting XI, our Friday rundown of what to watch for this weekend in MLS and beyond. And don't forget to get your Spanish-language fix with FutbolMLS.com.
Our recommended listening for this weekend is in honor of outgoing senior editor Nick Firchau (via Andrew Wiebe). Play Japandroids' "The House That Heaven Built." May you always play the air drums with reckless abandon, wherever your career may take you.
1. BRING OUT THE BALLS:Preseason is officially here, barely more than a month after Landon Donovan and the Galaxy enjoyed a confetti shower following MLS Cup. You probably thought you needed an MLS breather after the hoopla in LA died down, right? I did, too. But then December dragged into January, the SuperDraft came and went, DPs signed ... and we got bored. Bored with rumors, bored with signings, bored with the offseason routine. But now the balls have come out of hibernation. Teams are hitting the field. We're a month and a half away from Kaka doing this, but in a real game in front of real fans. I can't wait. – ANDREW WIEBE
2. ONE OF US:D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid is a soccer junkie. In his remarks with reporters at MLS media day in California this week, he name-checked David De Gea, Thibaut Courtois, former teammate Dejan Jakovic’s current team Shimizu S-Pulse, the Asian Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. While you can’t blame athletes for finding other hobbies outside of the sport – after all, that’s what most of us do in following soccer – it is heartening to hear a star player who is clearly informed on world soccer speak passionately about the game. Bill Hamid: He’s just like us. – ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
3. LEFT BACK STUDIOS:He's tried it before but now it seems Brek Shea has a new position to call home. Shea will play at left back this season, according to the Orlando City brass, in a move that has Jurgen Klinsmann's blessing. Can he be the next DaMarcus Beasley? - BEN BAER
4. HIS HONOR:I’ve lobbied for a long time that MLSsoccer.com should cover more Mexican politics, and here’s a nice starting point. Looks like Mexican soccer legend and former Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco is planning for a career after soccer – whenever that ends – as the Mayor of Cuernavaca, a city of more than 300,000 residents south of Mexico City. Blanco has registered as a pre-candidate and will begin his campaign in April, with voters will make their decision in June. For those who missed it, Blanco registered a goal and an assist for Puebla last week, at 42 years old. – NICK FIRCHAU
5. FINAL COUNTDOWN:According to Merritt Paulson, we're in the final months on the "Darlington Nagbe USMNT Countdown." You can listen to his interview on ExtraTime Radio, and in the meantime let's all take a moment to think about how good this would look in Red, White & Blue. – MATTHEW DOYLE
6. RELOADING IN CHICAGO:With an incredible 18 draws in league play, the Chicago Fire set a new MLS record for sister-kissing in 2014. But Frank Yallop & Co. are showing an admirable aversion to such blandness this winter. Last month they boosted their attack with Designated Players David Accam and Kennedy Igboananike – and they're apparently about to add another one, and a bigger name to boot. Scottish international Shaun Maloney is expected to join the Fire any day now, having turned down a return to the English Premier League with Leicester City in favor of a Windy City move. It's promising to see Yallop reel in a clever, skilful creator like Maloney, and equally encouraging that such a player is so eager to cross the pond for a new adventure in MLS. – CHARLES BOEHM
7. TWEET OF THE WEEK:Last Friday night's Red Bulls town hall was one of the more remarkable offseason nights in league history. You can relive the whole thing HERE. But before you do, let's take a moment to remember the real MVP... -
8. 90 MINUTES:I’m not exactly jumping off the couch to tell everyone about the US U-20 national team after an up-and-down CONCACAF Championship, but hold on to your hat – they are just one win away from a berth in the 2015 U-20 World Cup. To get to New Zealand, the Young Yanks will need to top El Salvador and perhaps exact a bit of revenge for the Olympic qualifying debacle in 2012. So let’s not worry about what’ll happen this summer – for now, a win on Saturday and a whole lot is forgiven. – NICHOLAS ROSANO
9. ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH:It was a rough year in the Rockies for Pablo Mastroeni and his team. They conceded the most goals in the league and had maybe the worst 14-game stretch in league history at the end of the season. To remedy this situation, they have tried a D.C. United-circa-2014 approach to player acquisition. MLS veterans such as Marcelo Sarvas, Sam Cronin, Michael Harrington, and Bobby Burling have all been brought in to shore up the defense, but can they get the same results as D.C. did in their worst-to-first 2014 season? – BEN BAER
10. BEING JURGEN KLINSMANN:The USMNT boss continues to inspire and mystify in equal proportions. In the same week Klinsmann's silver-tongued international recruiting pitch has been on full display during January camp in SoCal, Robbie Rogers called attention to his former PDL teammate and mentor's strange uncommunicativeness since Rogers made history as an out athlete. Here's hoping these two can have a constructive heart-to-heart, and soon. – CHARLES BOEHM
11. AIN'T NO THING:Santi Cazorla is a personal favorite of mine. He was superb against Manchester City in Arsenal's surprise win last weekend (yes, it's a surprise when the Gunners don't fall on their face vs. top competition), but the best part was this understated little jig after the second goal. I've got no love for Arsenal, but I know a perfect soccer moment when I see it. – MATTHEW DOYLE
