Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. KAKÁ OFF THE MARK
Another busy day of preseason action saw a couple of MLS teams rack up huge scorelines, including a 4-0 win over FC Dallas (highlights above) for newcomers Orlando City, which also saw Kaká score his first goal for the Lions. Aside from the penalty kick, word from Florida is that Kaka worked well with midfield teammate Kevin Molino, and the Designated Player shared his thoughts on the outing.
In the Desert Friendlies in Tucson, Arizona, the Houston Dynamo beat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 (see the Houston goals), and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat the New England Revolution 2-0 (highlights). Later in the day, the Seattle Sounders beat college side UCLA 5-0 (recap).
2. CAHILL’S VIEWS
While Tim Cahill feels the New York Red Bulls are in good hands, the Australian international has explained his own reasons for departing the club. Cahill also offered his view of his former head coach Mike Petke, saying “he should and hopefully will get another job in MLS.”
3. VALDÉS ON HIS WAY OUT
The latest episode of the Carlos Valdés saga seems to be reaching a conclusion, as reports on Wednesday claim that Colombian international is once again leaving the club on loan, this time heading to Uruguayan side Nacional de Montevideo.
4. NEW TWEAKS FOR THE US OPEN CUP
The 102nd edition of the US Open Cup will see a record 91 teams taking part in the tournament, with the competition officially adopting a fixed bracket for the last 16 and geographical pairings for the earlier rounds. MLS teams will enter the tournament in Round 4, set to begin on June 16.
5. HERRERA HAPPY TO CONSIDER MLS PLAYERS
As some of Mexico’s established stars struggle to find playing time in Europe, Mexico national team manager Miguel Herrera has insisted that, while it is a choice only the players themselves can make, he has absolutely no problem with El Tri’s players choosing to join MLS squads.
6. KLINSMANN DOUBLES DOWN
With the second game of the US national team’s January camp coming up Sunday against Panama (4 pm ET; ESPN, UniMas, UDN), head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has seemingly doubled down on his recent comments regarding player fitness. However, FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas offered his own take on Klinsmann’s views.
7. PLANNING A TRIP
The US national team recently travelled to Chile for an international friendly, but planning the trip required a lot more effort that than you might have thought. Those same planners will definitely need to be on top of their game this year, as the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament has been moved forward to October, which means the US will compete in the Toulon Tournament and other friendlies to prepare.
8. SEGARES HANGS UP HIS BOOTS
There was sad news for Chicago Fire fans on Wednesday as long-serving defender and former club captain Gonzalo Segares announced his retirement. Segares will still be around, though, taking up a new position with the Fire Academy. As one career ends, a new one is just beginning, with first-round SuperDraft selection Matt Polster signing a contract with the club.
9. THE HIGUAIN BROTHERS
Columbus Crew SC have hired Sixten Boström, a former Finland international, as their new assistant coach to replace the recently departed Rob Maaskant. In other Crew SC news, could fans in Ohio one day see two Higuaíns playing for their team?
10. MAKING AN IMPACT
You can cross the Montreal Impact off the list of potential teams for Antonio Di Natale, as team owner Joey Saputo, who co-owns Italian side Bologna, set the record straight on both Di Natale and Gilardino. After failing to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2014, Saputo insists his side will work hard to win fans back this time around.
11. KEANE TARGETS MORE TROPHIES
The LA Galaxy have won three MLS Cups in the last four years, and current league MVP Robbie Keane has been a huge part of that success. So what’s next for the Irish international? Well, according to the man himself, more of the same: “I want four [MLS cups] next year. And then after that, I want five.”
12. A FRESH START
Marco Delgado may have mixed emotions when he looks back on his time with Chivas USA, but after the 19-year-old landed at Toronto FC via the dispersal draft, the versatile midfielder is looking forward to a new start, no matter where he’s asked to play.
13. WHATS NEXT FOR THE US U-20S?
Despite a difficult start, US Under-20 national team head coach Tab Ramos has explained just how his side managed to get through the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and secure a place in this year's FIFA U-20 World Cup. The former US international also expanded on what happens between now and the start of the tournament in New Zealand.
14. HOUSTON HONDURANS SUFFER DEFEAT
Boniek Garcia and Luis Garrido both started for Honduras on Wednesday but, despite the Houston Dynamo players' best efforts, their side fell 3-2 to Venezuela. Elsewhere in CONCACAF, Costa Rican great Paulo Wanchope, who had a brief spell with the Chicago Fire in 2007, has been unveiled as Costa Rica’s new head coach.
15. DOWN ON DEMPSEY
What do Lupe Fiasco and Clint Dempsey’s brother have in common? It appears neither of them are huge fans of Deuce’s rapping.
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