Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. HELLO AGAIN, MR. PRESIDENT
The LA Galaxy will meet President Barack Obama for the third time in four years today, as they will be honored in the nation's capital at 2 pm ET (WATCH: White House live stream). Defender A.J. DeLaGarza will be running the MLS Instagram account during the visit, but he will also have some other personal thoughts on his mind.
2. GIOVINCO ARRIVING EARLY?
Toronto FC might be getting a lot stronger a lot sooner, as Italian giants Juventus confirmed on Monday recent reports that Designated Player Sebastian Giovinco is set to join Toronto immediately and not at the end of the Itelian season.
3. QUAKES ADD DP
Not only will the San Jose Earthquakes start 2015 with a new head coach in a new stadium, but the California club will also have three Designated Players for the first time in their history after completing the signing of Swiss international striker Innocent Emeghara. A native of Nigeria, Emeghara will be introduced at a Monday press conference at 3 pm ET. The Quakes, meanwhile, put away the Sonoma County Sol 5-0 in preseason action on Saturday.
4. CREW’S NEW ADDITION
Columbus Crew SC have added a new midfielder to their ranks following the signing of 22-year-old Democratic Republic of Congo international Cedrick Mabwati. However, Cedrick will see out the Spanish season with Osasuna before joining Crew SC in the summer.
5. EXTENDED STAY IN AFRICA
Crew SC supporters got a chance to see their new star in action, as the DR Congo midfielder helped his country advance to the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations following a 4-2 victory over the Republic of Congo. The Chicago Fire, meanwhile, will have to wait a little longer for Designated Player David Accam to join the team's preseason camp, as Ghana also advanced after beating Guinea 3-0.
6. MORE EUROPEAN ARRIVALS?
Today marks the end of the European transfer window, and it seems another Wigan player could be following Shaun Maloney to MLS, albeit this time with the Philadelphia Union. There’s also news of another potential departure from England as a former Canadian international is supposedly set for a role with the Chicago Fire.
7. PRESEASON PERFORMANCES
With preseason well and truly underway, so too are the games for many MLS teams, which included a first win for New York City FC, a draw between Orlando City and D.C. United, and wins for both the New England Revolution and the Portland Timbers.
8. TIMBERS EYEING STADIUM EXPANSION?
With a 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City, the Portland Timbers' preseason is off to a good start and, as they look to translate that success into the regular season, the club is examining options to increase its home stadium capacity. Elsewhere, former Timbers forward Ryan Johnson is making a name for himself in South Korea.
9. OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
Prior to the team’s first preseason game, New York City FC confirmed that striker David Villa will be the club’s captain, with the Spanish Designated Player setting his sights on making sure his time with MLS’ newest team is a success both on and off the field.
10. SACRAMENTO’S SURGE
Following last week’s major announcements regarding the Sacramento Republic’s growing list of investors, what does that mean for their chances of securing an MLS franchise? Well, according to Mayor Kevin Johnson, the unified front makes for a "Super Bowl-level ownership team."
11. MIAMI NEWS IS ON THE WAY
It’s been almost one year since the initial MLS Miami announcement and, while things have been very quiet on that front recently, David Beckham insists a positive announcement on the project will be made soon.
12. COYLE SHARES HIS THOUGHTS
As new Houston Dynamo boss Owen Coyle prepares for his first season coaching in MLS, the Scotsman talked about the benefits of a strong preseason and building a bridge from the academy to the first team.
13. RAPID DECISIONS
While the Colorado Rapids have announced the signing of Argentine midfielder Lucas Pittinari, draft signing Joseph Greenspan has selected his US Navy assignment, opting for a base in San Diego, partly because “it’s also a hotbed for soccer.”
14. THIRD-TIER HOME OPENERS
2015 marks a big year for the USL PRO, with a new format and an unprecedented 24 teams. With eight MLS teams fielding their own development sides in the competition, the league announced on Saturday the home openers for each club, including, of course, a Cascadia rivalry clash. The full USL PRO schedule is set to be announced today. The Vancouver Whitecaps, meanwhile, announced a new head coach for their USL PRO side, Vancouver Whitecaps 2.
15. CAHILL STARTS THE YEAR WITH A TROPHY
New York Red Bulls Designated Player Tim Cahill started 2015 off in the best way possible, helping Australia to their first Asian Cup title with a 2-1 extra-time victory over South Korea. Justin Meram, meanwhile, saw his own Asian Cup adventure end in disappointment after Iraq lost their third-place match against the United Arab Emirates.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
White House visit means a lot more to LA Galaxy’s A.J. DeLaGarza
Diego Fagundez & Uruguay edge closer to place in U20 World Cup
Three MLS players called up for Honduras’ game on Wednesday
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