Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. DROGBA DENIES REPORT
A new report from French publication l’Equipe stated that Didier Drogba was planning to retire and take up a coaching position with Chelsea. However, before anyone gets too upset, the Montreal Impact moved to deny the reports, as did Drogba himself, who stated that he is still in discussions with the Canadian team.
2. NYCFC TRIO HEADING TO ENGLAND
New York City FC have a new President, Jon Patricof, set to start in March, but before that, three of the club’s players will be joining Manchester City … for a 10-day training stint.
3. DAWKINS RETURNS
Simon Dawkins is on his way back to the San Jose Earthquakes, where the Jamaican International spent two seasons on loan in 2011 and 2012. But after spending the past three years in England, Dawkins now re-joins the Quakes as a Designated Player.
4. BIG RED IN BLUE & GOLD
The LA Galaxy have officially confirmed the signing of veteran defender/midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who joins the club as a free agent. Among moves being made in the front office, the club appointed former player and academy director Peter Vagenas as their new vice president of soccer operations.
5. UNITED ACQUIRE NYARKO
Patrick Nyarko is officially on his way to D.C. United, with Ben Olsen’s team picking up the long-serving Chicago Fire winger in exchange for a second-round pick in this year's SuperDraft. However, after eight years in Chicago, Nyarko couldn’t leave without a heartfelt goodbye.
6. REVS RE-UP ON FAGUNDEZ
Although he’s been around the league for a while now, Diego Fagundez is still just 20 years old, and his New England Revolution tied Major League Soccer's record teenage scorer to a new multi-year contract extension.
7. WHITECAPS SECURE TECHERA
It’s official: The Vancouver Whitecaps have completed the transfer of Uruguayan midfielder Cristian Techera, using Targeted Allocation Money to complete a multi-year contract. Techera could soon have some new company as well, if the latest reports from Costa Rica are to be believed.
8. BERHALTER EXTENDS HIS STAY
Columbus Crew SC reached the MLS Cup final in 2015 and though they fell just short against the Portland Timbers, the club’s steady improvement under Gregg Berhalter is plain to see. So much so that the club have extended the head coach’s contract with a new multi-year deal.
9. KLINSMANN GOES WITH YOUTH
Jurgen Klinsmann has named his squad for the upcoming US national team camp and, while it’s naturally a very MLS-heavy squad, it’s also one with an eye toward the U-23 national team's Olympic qualifying playoff against Colombia, with many of the players U-23-eligible. One such player who won’t be part of the squad is FC Dallas ‘keeper Jesse Gonzalez, who changed his mind about accepting a call-up.
10. EVENTS OF THE DAY
Today marks the arrival of players for the adidas MLS Player Combine, with some late additions invited to attend. Once again, here’s everything you need to know about the pre-SuperDraft event. Also today, be sure to check out LAFC’s official unveiling of their new crest and colors.
11. BRING THEM TO EUROPE
As another US youth international apparently heads to Germany, the big question remains: What will Jordan Morris decide to do? The Seattle Sounders are actively choosing not to pressure the young star but won’t be helped by comments from US assistant coach (and US U-23 boss) Andi Herzog.
12. ARE THE UNION CLOSE TO A SIGNING?
Could the Seattle Sounders and the Philadelphia Union both be interested in Croatian international Ivica Olic? Time will tell, but the Union are also rumored to be signing Walter Restrepo, a player who had a brief preseason training spell with the club three years ago.
13. HERNANDEZ PRAISES MLS
Javier Hernandez, aka Chicharito, is a player whom people would love to see in MLS, and while the Mexican international wouldn’t be drawn on rumors linking him with a move to the league last summer, he was full of praise for MLS and its development.
14. NEW COACHES IN USL
While an official announcement is coming today, it looks like Orlando City academy coach Darren Powell is set to become the new head coach of San Antonio’s USL side. The Portland Timbers 2 also have a new head coach.
15. EX-CONCACAF PRESIDENT AGREES TO EXTRADITION
There was another interesting development in the ongoing FIFA corruption scandal, as former CONCACAF president Alfredo Hawit has agreed to extradition to the US in order to face charges.
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