Kick Off: Rapids closer to US national team 'keeper Tim Howard? | Kaká on the offensive

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

Howard Update

According to ESPNFC scribe Jeff Carlisle, the rumored move of Everton and US national team star Tim Howard to the Colorado Rapids is moving closer to reality.

A Giving Mood

Orlando City superstar Kaka is aiming to bring more to the team this season, perhaps up to and including an MLS Cup title. He gave a sneak preview of his intended generosity in Saturday's preseason rout of Brazilian side Bahia, setting up all four of Lions defender Seb Hines' restart goals.

Weekend Scores

There was much more friendly action this weekend, and you can review it all with our Preseason Tracker.

Frankly Speaking

Local blog Empire of Soccer reports that a calf injury could keep Frank Lampard out of New York City FC's season opener. Meanwhile, the midfield star says he's unsure if he'll play past the coming season.

A Royal Pairing

MLSsoccer.com Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle continues his preseason countdown with a commentary on Nick Rimando's importance to Real Salt Lake fortunes and at look at Clint Dempsey's role with both the Seattle Sounders and the US national team.

Bradley's Mentor

The Toronto Sun sat down with both Toronto FC star Michael Bradley and his former mentor Chris Armas to discuss their bond through the years.

What's Good For The Goossens

Chicago Fire trialist John Goossens seems to have let the cat out of the bag with an Instagram photo of him signing a Fire deal.

TFC Signs Endoh

Toronto have added another playmaker to their arsenal, signing top SuperDraft pick Tsubasa Endoh.

Getting Ducks in a Row

The MLS roster compliance deadline arrives Tuesday. You can check out all 20 squad lists as they stand with a day left before the cut-off.

Wynalda Speaks

In a podcast interview with Everything Is Futbol, former USMNT forward Eric Wynalda backed Benny Feilhaber's assertion that current national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann sometimes gives short shrift to worthy MLS players.

Johnson, Wood Strike Again

A pair of US attackers based in Germany continued their fine seasons this weekend, with Borussia Moenchengladbach's Fabian Johnson firing a second-half equalizer at Augsburg on Sunday and Union Berlin ace Bobby Wood bagging a fortuitous winner on Friday night. Wood becomes the first American to hit double digits in goals in a single 2.Bundesliga season since Columbus veteran Conor Casey hit 14 for Karlsruhe back in 2004.

Lights, Camera …

LA Galaxy midfielder Steven Gerrard has gone Hollywood in more ways than one. The Galaxy star has reportedly inked a deal to star in a movie about his life directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Asif Kapadia.