Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. FIRST FREE AGENT DEAL IN MLS HISTORY
Justin Mapp's name will forever go down in history as the answer to the trivia question: Who was the first MLS free agent to sign a deal with a club? It happened on Monday morning as Sporting Kansas City signed up one of 27 players eligible for free agency.
2. DALLAS TRADE UP FOR URRUTI
FC Dallas made the biggest move of the first stage of the Re-Entry Draft, acquiring Maximiliano Urruti with the first overall selection. Oscar Pareja’s side were so keen to ensure they got the former Portland Timbers striker, they traded general allocation money to the Chicago Fire for their place at the top of the order. Goalkeeper Alec Kann was the only other selection, joining Sporting Kansas City.
3. TAKEN OFF THE TABLE
Two other players came off the Re-Entry Draft list before the draft began on Friday, as the Montreal Impact came to terms on a new deal with Hassoun Camara while the Vancouver Whitecaps re-signed Pa Modou Kah to a one year extension.
4. KLUTE IN, VILLAFAÑA OUT
The Portland Timbers confirmed the sale of left back Jorge Villafaña to Santos Laguna on Friday, then wasted no time at all bringing in a replacement, acquiring Chris Klute from Columbus Crew SC in exchange for general allocation money.
5. PAPPA TO COLORADO?
Seattle Sounders players Marco Pappa and Zach Scott opted out of the Re-Entry Draft amid reports that the Colorado Rapids are closing in on a trade for Pappa. Scott hasn’t been linked with any clubs just yet, however, with suggestions that the defender could be set to retire.
6. MORRIS HELPS STANFORD TO TITLE
US national team striker and Sounders academy product Jordan Morris helped his case for the Hermann Trophy after scoring two goals on Sunday to help Stanford secure their first NCAA College Cup title. Morris’ brace came as part of a 4-0 victory over Clemson at Sporting Kansas City’s Children’s Mercy Park. There was consolation for a couple of Clemson players: an invite to the 2016 adidas MLS Player Combine.
7. TELL ME MOOR
Toronto FC are reportedly close to a deal for former Colorado Rapids defender and current free agent Drew Moor. However, an alternate report suggests that while the club is pursuing the 31-year-old, talk of a deal is premature.
8. BRING BACK ZAC
After a successful loan spell with the club in 2015, the Colorado Rapids have acquired goalkeeper Zac MacMath on a full-time basis, sending a 2017 draft pick to the Philadelphia Union for the young netminder. The Rapids may not be the only club adding a 'keeper either, as reports suggest the LA Galaxy could make a move for Dan Kennedy on Monday.
9. JONES GETS A BAN
Jermaine Jones has been suspended for six games following his complete meltdown at the end of the New England Revolution’s Knockout Round defeat to D.C. United. The US international will be ineligible for any MLS or US national team games during that suspension, regardless of where he starts 2016.
10. NYCFC GRAB A WIN
New York City FC, who missed the MLS Cup Playoffs in their first year in the league, will end 2015 on a good note after a 2-1 victory over the Puerto Rico national team, with Kwadwo Poku scoring a stoppage time winner for the MLS side. As preparations continue for 2016, the club also added four new assistant coaches prior to the match.
11. MIAZGA ON THE MOVE?
A fantastic year for Matt Miazga continued on Friday, as the defender was one of five players nominated for US Soccer Young Male Player of the Year. But could the New York Red Bulls star be on the move? The latest reports claim he has rejected his club’s latest contract offer. Also of note for Red Bulls fans, KickTV released a second, and final, installment in their look at the South Ward as they supported their club during the MLS Cup Playoffs.
12. A FRESH START FOR NEAGLE
After seeing his name dropped from matchday squad lists towards the end of his time with the Seattle Sounders, newly acquired D.C. United attacker Lamar Neagle is happy for a fresh start. The versatile veteran could prove a valuable addition to United’s squad -- here are seven things D.C. fans need to know about their new signing.
13. NEW LEAF FOR THE UNION?
As work nears completion on their training complex, the Philadelphia Union hope it helps signal the start of a brand new chapter for the Eastern Conference side. The fans hope exactly the same and, following all the recent front office changes, there seems to be optimism that their owner is more invested than ever.
14. MIXED WEEKEND FOR MLS’ CCL OPPONENTS
Tigres were crowned Liga MX champions after beating Pumas 4-2 on penalties on Sunday after a 4-4 aggregate draw. Tigres will face Real Salt Lake in the CONCACAF Champions League in February, but it was an altogether less impressive weekend for the Seattle Sounders CCL opponents, Club America, who were knocked out of the FIFA Club World Cup by Asian Champions Guangzhou Evergrande.
15. SIMMS GETS A VITAL GIFT
Christmas came early for former MLS player Clyde Simms, as the ex-D.C. United and New England Revolution midfielder, who has battled focal segmental golmerulosclerosis for nearly half his life, received a second kidney transplant, nearly one year after his body rejected the first.
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