Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. AND THE WINNER IS …
Major League Soccer announced the winner of the 2015 Landon Donovan MVP award today, and – to little surprise – Italian international and Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco took home the prize. Giovinco, in fine form pretty much since his arrival, beat out Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara (see all Kamara’s goals this season) and Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber.
2. MARRUFO TO REF FINAL
The teams are set, and now we know who will be officiating Sunday’s MLS Cup final, with PRO selecting Jair Marrufo to oversee the season finale. The only thing we don’t know for sure at this point is what the weather will be like, and the MLS Cup final has an interesting weather history, going all the way back to 1996.
3. AN UPDATE FROM THE COMMISSIONER
As we approach the end of one year and the beginning of the offseason, MLS Commissioner Don Garber offered an update on where MLS currently stands in an interview with Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated, as well as predicting that the best days are still to come in an interview with CNBC.
4. PONTIUS AND NEAGLE ON THE MOVE?
It looks like trades are about to start flying fast and furious, with news breaking on Tuesday that D.C. United are expected to send Chris Pontius to the Philadelphia Union and planning to replace him with the Seattle Sounders’ Lamar Neagle.
5. MORE MOVES IN PHILADELPHIA
There was plenty more news coming out of Philadelphia as well, with rumors of which players will not return in 2016, along with confirmation of a new stadium name for the Union, with the erstwhile PPL Park now known as Talen Energy Stadium.
6. MIAZGA LOCKED IN
Despite rumors circling around the future of defender Matt Miazga, the recent US national-team debutant and New York Red Bulls Homegrown Player is under contract for the 2016 season, with an option year beyond that as well.
7. DYNAMO RE-SIGN STARS
Having made some roster cuts on Monday, the Houston Dynamo are moving to secure some of their most important players for 2016, following news that the Texan club re-signed leading striker Will Bruin and starting goalkeeper Tyler Deric. Those two, plus Giles Barnes, are keen to help the Dynamo return to the postseason.
8. TORONTO ANNOUNCE ROSTER DECISIONS
Toronto FC also made some roster cuts, with Joe Bendik one of four players to have his option declined by the Canadian team. Yet as TFC look to improve their side for 2016, could Mark Bloom be the answer at fullback?
9. MORE ROSTER CUTS
Two other teams announced roster moves on Tuesday, with the Vancouver Whitecaps exercising options on 10 of their players while declining a further six, including Steven Beitashour and Pa-Modou Kah. The San Jose Earthquakes also declined options on six players.
10. DAVIES NEVER GIVES UP
Most of us are familiar with Charlie Davies’ story and comeback from a devastating, career-threatening car crash to once again find his form in MLS. However, the story of the New England Revolution striker goes a whole lot deeper than that.
11. NEW INVESTMENT IN NYCFC
Looks like New York City FC have a new minority owner, following the news that City Football Group have sold a 13-percent share in their portfolio to a consortium of Chinese investors.
12. FC DALLAS WANT TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT
As FC Dallas implemented new security ahead of Sunday’s Western Conference Championship second leg, some fans found their entrance to the stadium delayed considerably, causing some to miss the start of the game. The club are holding their hands up for this one, though, and are looking to make things up to their supporters.
13. CASILLAS OPEN TO MLS MOVE
Looking around the league, it doesn’t appear there’s much need for expensive imported goalkeepers at the moment but, all the same, former Spanish captain and ex-Real Madrid star Iker Casillas has revealed he would be open to joining the league should an opportunity arise.
14. EYEING UP MLS?
One US international could be on the move, with reports that center back Ventura Alvarado has been transfer-listed by Club América. Could there be some MLS teams interested in the defender’s services? It also seems Colombian midfielder Walter Restrepo is looking to make the step up from North America's lower divisions.
15. STADIUM DEVELOPMENTS
There may not be a professional soccer team in Detroit just yet but, with Detroit City continuing to cement their place in the hearts of local fans, they’re also looking to help revitalize a local sporting landmark. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Republic have revealed new images of their proposed stadium as they continue their quest for an MLS club.
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