Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. JUNINHO DEPARTS
Juninho is the the latest player to leave the Galaxy after it was revealed that the midfielder has joined Liga MX side Club Tijuana; the 26-year-old Brazilian penned a fond farewell to Galaxy fans. The move frees more cap space for the Galaxy to play with.
2. ROSELL TO RETURN?
Sporting Kansas City are being linked with a move for UD Las Palmas’ Dani Castellano, but could a former SKC player be heading back to MLS? According to new reports, Oriel Rosell could join the New England Revolution on loan, thanks to their partnership agreement with Sporting Clube de Portugal.
3. RUMOR ROUNDUP
Let's run through the other rumors. FC Dallas are allegedly interested in Venezuelan midfielder Yohandry Orozco, while New York City FC are said to want Costa Rican international Ronald Matarrita. The Vancouver Whitecaps are said to be closing in on two Panamanian players and, looking way down the line, Gerard Pique reportedly has an open offer to join David Beckham’s Miami team.
4. WELCOME TO THE UNION
The Philadelphia Union have added a new member to their coaching staff. Former player Oka Nikolov, who spent one year with the Eastern Conference side in 2013, has joined Jim Curtin’s new look coaching set-up.
5. UNION TARGETS?
As James McFadden continues to close in on a move to MLS, reportedly with the Philadelphia Union, the 32-year-old Scotsman says he's excited about the next chapter in his career. Could Colin Kazim-Richards be set to follow?
6. HEATH GETS SOME SUPPORT
With a number of changes taking place around Orlando City SC, speculation has been mounting as to the stability of head coach Adrian Heath’s role with the club. However, new goalkeeping coach Stewart Kerr has backed the current boss while also talking up MLS’ growing reputation. It also seems that the Lions may have a new trialist joining them in preseason training.
7. LOAN TARGETS
It seems that MLS Cup-winning captain Liam Ridgewell is attracting interest from England, with Championship side Brighton apparently interested in acquiring the Portland Timbers defender on loan. Meanwhile, there's one MLS DP who almost certainly won't be going out on loan: Steven Gerrard.
8. CCL HERO GETS NEW DEAL
Although he missed most of last season due to injury, Cameron Porter’s career was off to an incredibly promising start. Whether he can pick up where he left off remains to be seen, but the Montreal Impact are obviously keen to find out. They've re-signed the Champions League hero to a new contract.
9. BRADLEY REFLECTS ON TFC CHANGES
Could 2016 be the start of something extra-special for Toronto FC? U.S. Soccer Player of the Year Michael Bradley says he believes that the quality of signings at his club now show that “Toronto FC has it together."
10. GENERATION ADIDAS CLASS OF 2016?
Has the first member of the 2016 Generation Adidas class already been signed? According to the latest reports, Andrew Tarbell, the impressive goalkeeper from Clemson, is the first player to join this year’s list.
11. ROSSI SETS MLS GOAL
Giuseppe Rossi was back in the U.S. for the holidays and, while it was only a fleeting visit, he managed to take part in an indoor tournament named after him. The Italian international also revealed that one day he plans to return on a more permanent basis and play in MLS.
12. GONZALEZ SET FOR U.S. CAMP?
Could the U.S. men's national team steal a promising young goalkeeper away from Mexico’s grasp? Not immediately, no. However, FC Dallas’ Jesse Gonzalez has reportedly accepted a call-up to the USMNT's January camp.
13. AMERICAN EXPORTS KEPT BUSY
As for the current U.S. national team 'keepers, two of them were busy on Boxing Day, as Tim Howard helped his Everton side to a 1-0 win over Newcastle, while Brad Guzan and Aston Villa drew 1-1 with West Ham United. But could Guzan’s place once again be under threat? Speaking of Howard’s Everton, could an American takeover be in the cards?
14. ANOTHER BIG STEP
As the National Women’s Soccer League begins to find its feet, there came another promising sign for the burgeoning women’s pro game. It seems that 2016 will mark the start of the United Women’s Soccer League, a USSF-sanctioned second division.
15. TRAGIC SHOOTING IN EL SALVADOR
There was some incredibly sad news coming out of El Salvador over the weekend, as former New York Red Bulls defender Alfredo Pacheco was gunned down at a gas station. The 33-year-old played for the Red Bulls in 2009 and was his country’s all-time leader in appearances.
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