Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. HOMEGROWN HEROES
Landon Donovan has named the 22 players that will represent the Chipotle MLS Homegrown team in next week’s game against Club America’s U20s, with Harry Shipp, Jordan Allen and Tommy Thompson just some of the standout names included on the roster.
2. OH CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN
The votes are in and Kaka has been chosen to captain the AT&T MLS All-Star team this year after MLS fans were, for the first time in history, able to vote for their preferred candidate via Snapchat. The Orlando City Designated Player certainly seems to be enjoying his time in Florida and has spoken about why he prefers MLS’ structure to that of La Liga.
3. KICKOFF COMES EARLY IN THE US OPEN CUP
The New York Red Bulls take on the Philadelphia Union in an early US Open Cup kickoff today (4 pm ET, YouTube) and, despite a friendly against Chelsea on Wednesday, it seems the Red Bulls are taking the game seriously, with manager Jesse Marsch set to name a strong starting XI and Sacha Kljestan reiterating where the team’s priorities lie this week.
4. RIVALRY RESUMES
Sporting Kansas City host the Houston Dynamo in Tuesday’s other US Open Cup quarterfinal (8.30 pm ET, YouTube) and the SKC players are certainly looking forward to playing their old rivals yet again. However, there could be an extra factor affecting both teams tonight.
5. OKUGO HEADS TO THE MIDWEST
Sporting Kansas City have acquired Amobi Okugo from Orlando City, with the Western Conference side sending Servando Carrasco the other way. Okugo has struggled for minutes in recent weeks, with the Lions citing the emergence of the Darwin Ceren-Cristian Higuita partnership as one of the reasons they were comfortable making the deal, but SKC coach Peter Vermes is glad to add some depth to his own defense.
6. TIMBERS STARS SET FOR T2 FRIENDLY
Following the arrival of Argentine striker Lucas Melano, the Portland Timbers have opted to waive Schillo Tshuma. The Timbers's USL side T2 are in action tonight against EPL side Newcastle United (10.30 pm ET), but Caleb Porter has suggested that several members of the MLS side could get a run out in that game as well.
7. LA, SJ IN HIGH-PROFILE FRIENDLIES
MLS' California clubs will be facing some big-time opposition on Tuesday night with International Champions Cup matches against FC Barcelona and Manchester United tonight. The Galaxy host Barcelona at the Rose Bowl (11 pm ET, FOX Sports 1), while the San Jose Earthquakes welcome Manchester United at Avaya Stadium at the same time (11 pm ET, FOX Sports 2).
8. MAKE YOUR PARENTS PROUD
With the exception of possibly winning, things couldn’t have gone much better for Matias Laba on Saturday, as not only did the Argentine defensive midfielder score a stunning game-tying goal for the Vancouver Whitecaps, but he did it in front of his visiting parents.
9. WILL DOS SANTOS FEATURE ON WEDNESDAY?
Giovani Dos Santos has given his first interview as a member of the LA Galaxy, in which he talks about his reasons for joining MLS, but the Mexican striker's status for Wednesday’s Gold Cup semifinal is a lot less clear. Meanwhile Andres Guardado, clearly already a fan of Dos Santos’ Galaxy move, has become a leader for the Mexican national team on and off the field.
10. WELCOME TO ATLANTA
The US national team will play in Atlanta for the first time since 1977 when they take on Jamaica in their Gold Cup semifinal on Wednesday (6 pm ET, Fox Sports 1) and, for some of the US squad’s MLS players, actually stepping outside the Atlanta airport will be a new experience.
11. A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Minnesota United is working on plans for a new stadium and there are two cities in the running to house the MLS expansion team. According to this report, one city is currently leading the race.
12. PAPPA TO UNDERGO ASSESSMENT
The Seattle Sounders, who dropped in the weekly MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, will be missing another of the club's influential players after it was announced on Monday that Marco Pappa will undergo an assessment in accordance with MLS’ SABH following a DUI arrest early Sunday morning.
13. REF FOR A DAY
With six red cards during Week 20 of the MLS season, all of which can be seen right here on Instant Replay, referee decisions have given fans plenty to discuss. Yet what is it like to actually be an MLS referee? A day in the life of Alan Kelly might give you a different perspective.
14. FACE OF A FRANCHISE
Alex Morgan will be the face of EA Sports FIFA 16 after the US Women’s National Team star was selected to star alongside Lionel Messi on the next edition of the video game’s front cover in the USA, with Christine Sinclair receiving the same treatment in Canada.
15. RAINING MONEY
We now have a date for the next FIFA presidential election, now set for Feb. 26. Embattled boss Sepp Blatter made the announcement at a press conference on Monday that will be better remembered for a comedian throwing fake dollars at the FIFA president.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Team of the Week: LA legends make a statement
ExtraTime Radio: Is it time for Sporting KC’s Feilhaber to make a USMNT return?
MLS Now: Weekend Rewind
Get the Kick Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
SELECT YOUR FAVORITE CLUB
Atlanta United FC
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting KC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
I don't have a favorite team
