Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
GALAXY QUEST
Continuing their offseason overhaul with the goal of rising back to the top of MLS, the LA Galaxy have finally completed the capture of former England left back Ashley Cole. The addition of AC Milan midfielder Nigel de Jong may not be far behind, with various European outlets reporting a three-year deal on offer, but head coach Bruce is staying tight-lipped on that front for now. While all of this roster re-building is going on at StubHub, our Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle attempts to fit all the new pieces together.
ORDERING ANOTHER PORTER
While some teams are making changes, others are out to maintain stability. Defending MLS Cup champs Portland have locked down head coach Caleb Porter to a long-term contract extension.
REPORT: NO IMMEDIATE MIAZGA LOAN
Matt Miazga's reportedly imminent transfer from the New York Red Bulls is not done yet, but Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl insists rumored buyers Chelsea plan to keep him at Stamford Bridge for the rest of the English Premier League season if they can seal the deal.
UNITED NEWS
Washington Post "Soccer Insider" Steven Goff breaks down the reports of D.C. United's reputed interest in AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino.
SNAPBACK CAP?
Local blog Eighty Six Forever explains why Vancouver should add rumored target Blas Perez, who had a subpar 2015 season marred by injuries for FC Dallas. The Whitecaps could use a bit of veteran influence in their striker stable, what with the retirement of Robert Earnshaw.
ESPINOZA GIVES BACK
Sporting KC star Roger Espinoza stayed busy this offseason and he shares the story of his charity work back home in Honduras.
JOZY BOY
Not that he was bad last season, but Toronto FC are trying to figure out how to get the most out of striker Jozy Altidore in 2016.
A BRILLANT MOVE
It hasn't taken long for Patrick Vieira to leave his mark on the New York City FC roster, signing fellow countryman and Oostende defender Felix Brillant.
DYNAMIC DUO
The Houston Dynamo are close to completing their squad after adding a pair of players out of Spain's second flight.
BUILDING MO.-MENTUM
Missouri Governer Jay Nixon is set to meet with MLS commish Don Garber to discuss how St. Louis can potentially make it into MLS. Meanwhile, the Gateway City's venerable Post-Dispatch is throwing editorial weight behind the expansion drive.
SCOUT CAMP
The USA-Iceland match is just a couple of days away and young US internationals Darlington Nagbe and Wil Trapp are using the January camp to impress manager Jurgen Klinsmann.
SWEET HOME FRISCO?
With San Jose talks reportedly falling apart, FC Dallas' Toyota Stadium home seems to be the leading contender to host the decisive home leg of the US U-23 national team's Olympic playoff qualifier vs. Colombia on March 29. An aggregate victory is required if the US are to earn a place in the summer games in Rio de Janeiro.
GONZO JOURNALISM
New Pachuca back line marshal Omar Gonzalez has done his first interview since moving to the Liga MX title chasers. Elsewhere in Mexico, Red Bulls product Armando Moreno fired Tijuana's late Copa MX winner on Wednesday night.
IN DEMAND
This should come as a surprise considering Aaron Schonfield has only amassed only 10 days of service and one appearance for Israeli second-flighters Maccabi Netanya, but the former Crew SC striker has already ignited a transfer bidding war between honor division title chasers Maccabi Tel Aviv and local rivals Hapoel.
CONGRATS, PAPA DONOVAN!
Former MLS and USMNT superstar Landon Donovan has announced the birth of his first child.
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Check Wednesday's Preseason Tracker
