Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. PARKHURST TARGETS MLS CUP SUCCESS
Columbus Crew SC host the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday (5 pm ET; ESPN, ESPN Deportes, MLS LIVE). Crew SC star Michael Parkhurst is determined to lift the MLS Cup this year, while the Red Bulls’ Matt Miazga could perfectly represent everything about Jesse Marsch’s high-pressing system.
2. STAR ‘KEEPER
Luis Robles has been named the 2015 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year following a season in which the Red Bulls ‘keeper kept nine clean sheets. However, humble as ever, the 31-year-old doesn’t even feel this was his best season.
3. ARE FC DALLAS STARTING A REVOLUTION?
There’s no love lost between FC Dallas and the Portland Timbers ahead of Leg 1 of the Western Conference Championship this Sunday (7:30 pm ET; FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN5 in Canada, MLS LIVE). While FCD might represent a Homegrown revolution, plenty of eyes will be on both goalkeepers, with Adam Kwarasey finding a home in Portland and young Jesse Gonzalez lighting things up in Dallas.
4. SIMILAR, YET DIFFERENT
If there’s one thing all four remaining MLS Cup contenders have in common it could be that they shared a similar approach towards spending this season. Entering the Conference Championships, what will be the difference between the sides? And who has the edge in Columbus vs. New York and Portland vs. Dallas?
5. RSL RE-SIGN MORALES
Real Salt Lake have re-signed one of their stars, Javier Morales, to a new contract ahead of 2016, with the Argentine playmaker expressing his joy at the news. Could former RSL player Yura Movsisyan still be set for a return to his old club? According to Craig Waibel, it’s still a possibility.
6. CAN THE GALAXY KEEP THE GANG TOGETHER?
As things stand, the LA Galaxy have some tough personnel choices to make this offseason, with the club currently unsure about how they'll keep all their star players. Could this be the end of the road for former Designated Player Omar Gonzalez?
7. THE FUTURE OF ALONSO
Speaking of DPs who could be on the move, there has been plenty of conjecture about Osvaldo Alonso’s future, with even Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid admitting he’s not sure what the future holds for his tough-tackling midfielder.
8. WASTON RE-SIGNED, 'CAPS LINKED WITH A CANADIAN
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston had a strong season with the Canadian side in 2015, so much so that the ‘Caps have re-signed the Costa Rican international to a new deal. Could Waston soon have some extra cover in front of him as well? A new rumor has the Portland Timbers’ Will Johnson heading to the club.
9. SKC GET A NEW PARTNER
Sporting Kansas City’s stadium is set for a new name after SKC announced a new 10-year deal which will see Sporting Park renamed Children’s Mercy Park. What else does the future hold for Sporting? CEO Robb Heineman has some ideas.
10. FIRE MAKE MORE CHANGES
The Chicago Fire have yet to find a new head coach, but the club has begun ringing in personnel changes: several members of the coaching and support staff left the club on Thursday.
11. CANADA EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS?
With the first set of games from this round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying done and dusted, Canada certainly have reasons to be optimistic: to many, the national team are already ;performing better than expected. Was the recent victory in Vancouver also a good argument for Canada not having a fixed home stadium?
12. COPA CITIES CONFIRMED
Ten venues have been announced for next summer’s Copa America Centenario, with three MLS stadiums included in the selection and the final set for MetLife Stadium in New York.
13. LANDON DONOVAN: TEAM OWNER?
Could Landon Donovan be looking to following in the footsteps of former LA Galaxy teammate David Beckham and start his own MLS franchise? The now-retired MLS star has hinted it’s of interest.
14. NO ON 39
The idea of Premier League teams playing a 39th game at overseas locations has once again resurfaced, but one person who is wfirmly against the idea is MLS Commissioner Don Garber, ho has stated that any such move could be harmful to MLS.
15. NOTHING BUT THE MEMORY
A quick look around Caleb Porter’s house reveals a lot about the Portland Timbers boss and yet, despite winning MLS Coach of the Year in 2013, Porter no longer has that trophy after an unfortunate accident.
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