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 as per editor Andrew Wiebe is "The Warmth of the Sun" by the Beach Boys. Because we can't wait to feel those rays spread over us soon.
1. HILL COUNTRY: It’s about to heat up in Austin this weekend as MLS’ first preseason tournament opens in Austin on Friday night. In the intial offering, two of the most intriguing attacks in MLS will match wits as Columbus and Dallas face off. That will be followed by a match between D.C. United and the hosting Austin Aztex, making a much-anticipated return to the professional ranks in USL.
And while Austin is getting a taste of MLS, all the soccerheads in town are getting a taste of some fine Texas BBQ:
Let's make sure there's a match or two in Lockhart next spring. – NICHOLAS ROSANO
2. MAPP A WAY TO OUR HEART: Planning a romantic dinner for one? Don’t worry — this Valentine’s Day, we’re here to celebrate with you. Post your best soccer-related Valentine’s Day cards on Twitter and Instagram using #SoccerGrams. We’ll randomly select one lucky winner to receive a 2015 match ball signed by this year’s SuperDraft class (Contest rules). So, go ahead. Nguyen us over. – DAN STELLY
3. HUNGARY FOR GOALS: Last year Dom Dwyer scored 22 goals, good for second in MLS. The problem for SKC was that their next best goalscorer was Graham Zusi with five. In the offseason Peter Vermes added a striker who should be capable in scoring more than five in Hungarian international Krisztian Nemeth. He already showed his skills this preseason, dropping a hat trick on FC Tucson on Monday. The question now becomes, "Can both of these players fit in to a 4-3-3 at the same time?" If not, Vermes may be forced to change his formation. – BEN BAER
4. ZLATAN SCOUTS TEAM: Team does not scout Zlatan. This photo of an Ibrahimovic doppelganger surfaced following Orlando City SC’s open training last week. This dude is a spitting image of THE most entertaining soccer player in the history of the sport. If he hasn’t already made a “Zlatan Hot Takes” YouTube series, we’re here waiting for you at @MLS. Tweet us or something. – MATT FOLGER
5. ALL ABOARD THE NYCFC HYPE TRAIN: On Wednesday at MLS Digital most folks had New York City FC vs. St. Mirren on their second monitor or streaming in the background. And while we're loath to use February results to predict those from March-December, there's no doubt Jason Kreis' boys impressed. The oohs and aahs in our office said it all as David Villa and Tony Taylor got the goals in a 2-0 win (HIGHLIGHTS), then Simon Borg went and called the performance Barcelona-esque on ExtraTime Radio. Climb aboard, the NYCFC hype train (express, obviously) has left the station. – ANDREW WIEBE
6. TICO TIME IN VANCOUVER?: CONCACAF watchers should be very familiar with Bryan Ruiz, the versatile Costa Rican attacker who helped pace the Ticos' amazing run at Brazil 2014. A teammate of Clint Dempsey during Fulham's EPL days (they seem so long ago now, don't they?), Ruiz has fallen on hard times since the Cottagers' relegation to the Championship. Starved for playing time, he saw a loan move to Spain's Levante fall through during the January transfer window and on Tuesday he told a Costa Rican radio station that a move to MLS or Scandinavia might materialize.
He's been linked to the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are all out of Designated Player slots at the moment. But come on, folks: Let's make this happen.
7. THAT WASN'T FUNNY: First Colbert, now Stewart. I've been a Daily Show fan for most of my adult life, so this week's announcement that 2015 would mark the end of Jon Stewart's time at the helm is, in the words of a certain national team coach, a bummer.
That said, I've been nursing a 30-year grudge against the funnyman, who played Division 1 soccer at William & Mary:
No word yet, by the way, which side Stewart will take in the #NYCSoccerWarz, but I'm solidly in the "Sam Bee should be the new TDS host" camp. – MATTHEW DOYLE
8. TWEET OF THE WEEK: It is of the nature of desire not to be satisfied, and most men live only for the gratification of it.
9. IN NEED OF A GOOD ATTORNEY: Veteran English midfielder Joey Barton has never been one to shy away from a tackle, a question or the send tweet button, so it wasn’t entirely surprising that he turned up to the Chicago Fire’s preseason friendly against his Queens Park Rangers side on Thursday morning.
Barton, who appeared to take in the entirety of the Fire’s 1-0 win, has said multiple times that he’d like to one day play in MLS. Let’s hope the 32-year-old with the outspoken, occasional bad-boy rep makes the move soon. The league could always use a few more personalities. – SAM STEJSKAL
10. RING’ING IN THE NEW YEAR: Ahh, to be young, retired and in love. Two months after going out a champion, Landon Donovan has got himself a fiancee and myriad new life experiences to boot. Visits to orphanages in Ecuador and Peru, trips to India and the Maldives and some golf in between because duh (#retirement). But Donovan's not quiiiiite all R&R yet. He also revealed on Facebook that he has started to look into the college enrollment process. I see lotsa ramen in your future, LD. – SARAH LERNER
11. HAPPY 65th, CINDERELLA: I just wanted to take a moment to recognize Cinderella who, 65 years ago, made her motion-picture debut and rescued the fortunes of a struggling Walt Disney studio. It’s not a marriage, but did the soccer world cover our princess quota for 2015? – MATT FOLGER
