Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. EIGHT YEAR BAN FOR BLATTER
Rest easy folks: It seems that Sepp Blatter’s reign as FIFA President is well and truly over. The disgraced dignatary, along with UEFA chief Michel Platini, were both banned from all soccer activities for eight years by FIFA’s ethics committee.
2. NY SQUADS EXPAND HOMEGROWN BASE
The New York Red Bulls officially added two new Homegrown Players on Monday, taking their total active tally to seven – currently the most on any MLS roster. One of those players, Brandon Allen, is the brother of New York City FC's R.J. Allen, whose club are determined to try and make a claim on a Homegrown Player of their own. The Red Bulls are also reportedly looking to dip into their pool across the pond, with veteran German defender Tim Sebastian apparently looking to swap RB Leipzig for RBNY.
3. MLS SUPERLATIVES: MOST SOCIAL PLAYER
Sporting KC striker Dom Dwyer fended off a fierce challenge from Columbus Crew SC forward Kei Kamara, earning 32.76% of fan votes (to Kamara's 31.44%) to win the inaugural Most Social Player #MLSsoshies award. Dwyer also took home #BFFs hardware for this wedding Instagram from his nuptuals to USWNT forward Sydney LeRoux. MLSsoccer.com's social media awards also honored Darlington Nagbe (Family Matters), Clint Irwin (The Bigger Picture) and Dider Drogba (Let Me Take a #Selfie).
4. SOUNDERS SIGN TWO
The Seattle Sounders signed two of their 2015 SuperDraft Picks, inking Andy Craven and goalkeeper Tyler Miller to new contracts. Between the Sounders and USL side Sounders 2, both players had limited, but promising, spells before injuries ended their seasons.
5. ORLANDO ADD BENDIK
Orlando City SC have added a new goalkeeper, acquiring Joe Bendik from Toronto FC in exchange for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2017 SuperDraft.
6. FERNANDES HEADING BACK TO THE UNION?
The Union look set to get back a promising youngster. Leo Fernandes, who spent the last year on loan with the New York Cosmos, is unlikely to return to the NASL champions with Philadelphia interested in bringing him back in the fold.
7. GALAXY, QUAKES SET FOR DUEL IN THE DESERT
The LA Galaxy revealed some of their preseason plan on Monday: A California Clasico against the San Jose Earthquakes set to take place in Las Vegas, and a matchup with Club Tijuana back home at the StubHub Center in preparation for their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series against Santos Laguna.
8. FORLAN FANCIES MLS MOVE
Having been heavily linked to a potential MLS move in the past, it seems that famed Uruguayan soccer star Diego Forlan is still interested in joining the American league. The problem? Apparently the 36-year-old hasn’t had any offers.
9. BECKHAM SETS SIGNTS ON ZLATAN
David Beckham’s Miami franchise is slowly starting to edge towards reality, so much so that the international icon has started talking about which player he most wants to sign for his forthcoming MLS side: Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
10. CELEBRATING THE TIMBERS
The Portland Timbers have been working with Howler magazine all season on a six-part series exploring soccer in the Rose City. They added a seventh on Monday, when the magazine and the club commemorated the Timbers' MLS Cup victory.
11. SOMETHING NEW FOR SAN ANTONIO
It looks like change is afoot in San Antonio, following the sale of Toyota Field: It seems the NASL's San Antonio Scorpions are out, set to be replaced by a brand new USL team, details of which we’ll apparently learn today.
12. WATCHING THE MARKET
As teams from MLS and several lower divisions race to secure the best and brightest young talent, it seems their strongest competition comes not from each other, but rather the endless supply of foreign clubs, who are flooding the domestic scene with scouts.
13. KELLER ON 'KEEPERS
What's the current state of MLS goalkeeping? Former US national team keeper and MLS player Kasey Keller, now a soccer analyst with ESPN who offered his thoughts on the current generation, how things have changed and what he sees for ‘keepers in the future.
14. USWNT: A YEAR IN REVIEW
Despite it ending with an uncharacteristic home defeat and a number of high-profile retirements, the 2015 World Cup win highlighted a great year for the USWNT. Despite their success, the women's team still might not get the love they deserve off of it, with male fans of the team still unable to purchase USWNT jerseys.
15. SAVED BY AN EX
Clyde Simms had been waiting a long time for a new kidney and – just in time for the holidays – the former D.C. United and New England Revolution midfielder received the best gift of all, undergoing a transplant made possible by his ex-girlfriend's donation to a third party earlier this month.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Handing out gifts to all 20 MLS teams
