Here are the top-15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1.TIMBERS CELEBRATE IN STYLE
The Portland Timbers celebrated their MLS Cup success in style on Tuesday and, despite some rather wet weather, thousands of fans lined the streets of Portland to celebrate their team’s success. The party then moved inside Providence Park, where things got a little bit wild.
2. WINDS OF CHANGE
If there was one thing that could rain on the Portland Timbers' parade yesterday, it may have been the knowledge that the group will start to change almost immediately. Left back Jorge Villafaña, unsung hero of the MLS Cup, is apparently set for a move to Liga MX side Santos Laguna. He may not be the only Timber heading for the exit, as Will Johnson indicated his time at the club will soon be over.
3. WAIVE HELLO AND SAY GOODBYE
The 2015 MLS Waiver Draft is set to take place today at 4:30 pm ET, with more than 25 players eligible to be selected. Meanwhile, Khari Stephenson has been added to the list of players eligible for free agency.
4. BY THE POWER OF THORRINGTON
LAFC have named John Thorrington as their executive vice president of soccer operations, a choice the expansion side was understandably thrilled to announce. The former MLS and US national team stalwart is the club’s first hire on the soccer side of the business and has named establishing the team’s academy among his top priorities.
5. LAFC STADIUM UPDATE
Speaking during their press conference to unveil John Thorrington on Tuesday, LAFC brass also gave an update on their stadium situation, stating that they hope to take over the site of the old Sports Arena in May 2016.
6. KAMARA SAYS HE WAS CLOSE TO RETIRING
If there’s one good thing for Columbus Crew SC that came from losing the MLS Cup final, it’s that we all get to continue watching Kei Kamara play soccer next season, as the Sierra Leone international revealed he would have retired had his side lifted the trophy.
7. CHIVAS STRIKER TO RETURN?
Could former Chivas Guadalajara striker Marco Fabián be on his way to MLS? Rumors have been linking the forward with a move, and they resurfaced again on Tuesday, suggesting Fabián has an offer on the table from MLS.
8. STILL SOME DISTANCE TO GO ON VELA DEAL
Two of the most talked-about transfers this winter are the possibility of Carlos Vela coming to MLS and Fabián Castillo leaving, but according to the latest news on the subject, both deals have a long way to go before they become a reality.
9. SACRAMENTO LIKE THEIR ODDS
Sacramento Republic FC liked their chances of landing a spot in MLS even when the expansion number stood at 24, but following news that the league is now looking to reach 28 teams, the USL side is more than a little confident about being able to join the top flight.
10. LUKAKU CLOSE TO DROGBA
They call him Baby Drogba, but Romelu Lukaku's relationship with Didier Drogba apparently runs deeper than a nickname. The Everton striker revealed that he still considers his former Chelsea teammate and current Montreal Impact star a close friend and said the two share a "special relationship."
11. NYCFC NOT INTERESTED IN COLE
With the offseason upon us, it’s that time of year when Ashley Cole starts to get linked with MLS clubs again. New York City FC are the first team this winter rumored to be interested in the former star, but sources have since claimed that is definitely not the case.
12. JOHNSON CRASHES OUT OF UCL
Fabian Johnson has been in fine form of late for Borussia Monchengladbach, but while the winger helped set up two goals for his side on Tuesday, a 4-2 loss to Manchester City still saw them crash out of the Champions League. To make matters worse, the US international appeared to pick up an injury.
13. BROOKS ON THE MOVE?
While Fabian Johnson appears to be settled with his Bundesliga side, another US international could be on the move, with reports claiming John Brooks may be sold by Hertha Berlin this winter if he doesn’t sign a new contract.
15. THE IRWINS
There will be plenty of end-of-year MLS plaudits handed out by the media over the next couple of weeks, but what do the players rate as their best of 2015? MLS goalkeeper/aspiring journalist Clint Irwin has given out his own end-of-year awards in his latest column.
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