Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. MLS INVESTS $37 MILLION IN PLAYERS
We start with Wednesday's big news: Major League Soccer has announced that clubs will receive $37 million worth of investment in Targeted Allocation Money and Homegrown player funds across 2016 and 2017, with the additional money designed to help add quality to the middle of club rosters.
2. RAPIDS MAKE SOME ADDITIONS
There was just one player selected in Wednesday afternoon’s Waiver Draft, with the Colorado Rapids opting to take former Seattle Sounders midfielder Micheal Azira. That wasn’t the only move the Rapids made on Wednesday though, as the club also re-signed defender Sean St Ledger.
3. OLUM'S BACK
Sporting Kansas City also made some moves on Wednesday, re-signing Seth Sinovic and Jon Kempin to new deals, as well as bringing Lawrence Olum back to the club. The Kenyan international departed in 2014 and won the Malaysian Premier League in his time away from SKC.
4. ORLANDO CITY PART WITH GM
In a front-office move, Orlando City have agreed to mutually part ways with general manager Paul McDonough, although he will remain in his position for a transition period as he helps the Lions with the Re-Entry Draft and other player-related activities.
5. NYCFC IN MARKET FOR DEFENDERS
According to a report on Wednesday, NYCFC have been keeping an eye on Portuguese defender Jorge Teixiera, who currently plays for Belgian side Standard Liege. And then on Thursday morning they made a move for Philadelphia center back Ethan White.
6. NEAGLE MOVE BEST FOR SEATTLE
Seattle Sounders fans may have been sad to see local talent Lamar Neagle traded to D.C. United, and Garth Lagerwey admits it was a tough choice to make, however, the Seattle Sounders GM also believes the move was ultimately in the club’s best interest.
7. GIOVINCO SEES LONG STAY IN MLS
Having already won the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award for himself, Sebastian Giovinco has set his sights on helping Toronto FC win a trophy next season. Yet, despite plenty of rumors regarding interest from Europe, the Italian has revealed he is more than happy where he is and hopes to finish his career in MLS.
8. COACH AND PLAYER RUMORS BEGIN FOR ATLANTA
While Atlanta United are working hard to secure a broadcast partner for their inaugural season, there were plenty of rumors surrounding MLS’ next expansion team on Wednesday, with the club reportedly interested in Josh Wolff as a candidate to become their first head coach and Mexican international Marco Fabian as their first player signing.
9. STORIES TO FOLLOW
There are any number of interesting stories to keep an eye on over the offseason and all throughout next year, with ESPN breaking down what they consider to be the top six MLS stories to follow during 2016.
10. WHO TO DRAFT?
The MLS SuperDraft is fast approaching and most of the MLS clubs will already be starting to formulate ideas about who they’d like to sign. With that in mind, here’s one list that attempts to rank the top 50 prospects heading into the 2016 SuperDraft.
11. MINNESOTA HIRE THE BUILDERS
Just weeks after Minnesota United announced it had chosen Populous to help design its brand new MLS stadium, the future expansion team has now also hired local construction company M.A. Mortenson Co to make it a reality.
12. USL CELEBRATES SUCCESS
The USL is holding its own Winter Summit this week and league president Jake Edwards is in a buoyant mood, celebrating the most successful year in the league’s history with an eye toward a promising future.
13. GREEN MAKES A START
Julian Green, yes, that Julian Green, made a start in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, starting for Bayern Munich and lasting 62 minutes in the German side’s 2-0 win over Dynamo Zagreb, his first professional game for the senior side in over two years.
14. TERRENCE BOYD STILL SUFFERING
However, it wasn’t all good news for US internationals in Europe, as Terrence Boyd has admitted that, even more than a year after his injury, he still can’t train fully with Red Bull Leipzig.
15. NAGBE’S LATEST WIN
Darlington Nagbe spent the start of the week celebrating his MLS Cup championship success, but on Wednesday, things got even better for the recent US national team debutant, as he welcomed a new daughter into the world. Congratulations Darlington!
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