Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR? NO SURPRISE
Sebastian Giovinco was named MLS Newcomer of the Year on Monday, following a record-breaking season in which he scooped the Audi Golden Boot award and helped Toronto FC earn their first appearance in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
2. WHERE WILL JONES PLAY NEXT?
According to ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, US national team midfielder Jermaine Jones is definitely finished at the New England Revolution and possibly in MLS all together. There’s no doubt Jones was a major asset for the Revs over the last season-and-a-half, so if this is true, who should they turn to as a replacement?
3. WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR SKC?
As Sporting Kansas City look to reload around their core, certain elements of the future remain uncertain, not least the status of some of the coaching staff. Head man Peter Vermes, under contract for two more seasons, and assistant Kerry Zavagnin are both in demand – the latter apparently a candidate for the open Chicago Fire head coach job. (UPDATE: The Fire hired a new head coach later on Tuesday morning.)
4. A BOOST IN THE NUMBERS
There were plenty of interesting statistics from the first legs in each conference championship series, and – just as interestingly and not surprisingly – all four remaining teams seem to be enjoying a financial boost from their successful runs.
5. SOUNDERS MAKING PLANS
Seattle Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid has already described the upcoming winter as “the most eventful offseason in MLS history,” but what does he mean by that and what will the ramifications be for the Sounders?
6. BACK TO OHIO
The US men's national team are heading back to Columbus, but not to play Mexico (this time). US Soccer announced on Monday that the team's March 29 World Cup qualifier against Guatemala will be held at Crew SC's MAPFRE Stadium.
7. GERRARD SET FOR LIVERPOOL APPEARANCE
It looks like Steven Gerrard will suit up for Liverpool again after all, but not in the way you might think: The former Anfield man will take part in a Liverpool Legends vs Australian Legends game this January in Sydney.
8. REFEREES ASSIGNED
While Alan Kelly has said he felt honored to be named MLS Referee of the Year, the Irishman will not be involved in either second leg this Sunday after PRO revealed referee assignments for the next matches.
9. YOU DON’T KNOW JOEY
Timber Joey's tree slicing has emerged as one of the most unique traditions in professional sports and, for those who don’t know much about the Portland Timbers' lumberjack, here’s a good rundown of all the information you need.
10. RANGERS WANT ZELALEM TO STAY
Looks like Gedion Zelalem could spend the rest of the 2015-16 season in Glasgow, as Rangers boss Mark Warburton seems confident a deal will be reached, which would allow the US prospect to remain with the Scottish Championship side until the summer.
11. LE HAVRE HELD
Bob Bradley’s first Ligue 2 match in charge of Le Havre ended in a 0-0 draw on Monday. While we all know plenty about the former US national team coach, what do we know about the French side’s American owner?
12. HORTON HEADS HOME
US youth international Charlie Horton announced on Monday he is leaving English side Leeds United to return to the US. Though a family matter might have forced him away, Horton isn’t giving up on soccer, instead declaring his intention to pursue a career in MLS.
13. WHAT'S UP WITH GREEN?
Julian Green may have dropped off the radar a bit since the World Cup, but the German-American winger is still trying to make it with Bayern Munich and has been answering questions from fans over at Goal.com.
14. WOMEN’S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING GROUPS SET
The draw for women’s CONCACAF Olympic qualifying was Monday, with the US and Canada drawn into opposite groups, potentially setting things up for both to qualify, then meet in the Regional Final. Qualifying will be held in February, hosted by FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo.
15. AMATEUR SIDES ADVANCE
The second round of qualifying for the 2016 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup was completed over the weekend, with 14 teams advancing to the third round. Fan-owned San Francisco City FC advanced, but there was no such success for former giant killers Cal FC.
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