Kick Off: Orlando City star eyes Friday MLS debut | MLS clubs circling Aussie star

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


Home Away From Home


In his first league match back with the LA Galaxy, Mike Magee was named MLS Player of the Week. We probably shouldn't be surprised he eased right in: Magee feels that he's back where he belongs after 18 months spent with his hometown Fire.


In-N-Out


Orlando City will once again be without Kaká when Chicago comes to town on Friday, but that could open a place for Antonio Nocerino to make his Lions debut.


Incoming?


Seattle made what seemed like a few minor moves on Tuesday, but our Sam Stejskal sees them adding up to a bigger resulting deal in the foreseeable future.


Audi Specs


With a full opening say now in the books, we can reveal the top 20 performers from the initial Audi Player Index rankings.


Loan Approvals


With Sporting KC's rumored loan acquisition of Valladolid forward Diego Rubio now complete, news has come out of Brazil that New York City FC are set to borrow Corinthians striker Stiven Mendoza.


Found In Translation


A helpful Reddit user has been kind enough to translate a Gazzetta dello Sport interview with Toronto FC star Sebstian Giovinco.


Rogic Puzzle


A Scottish report has several MLS clubs ready to make bids if Celtic cannot tie down young Australia midfielder Tom Rogic by summer.


Defense Mechanisms


After an opening weekend that saw a record number of goals, some MLS clubs are hoping to tighten things up at the back. The Revs, who leaked three in a draw at Houston, are confident they will be stingier when D.C. United visit on Saturday. Meanwhile, Vancouver are taking the first step to recovering from a 3-2 home loss against Montreal by admitting their mistakes before they invade Kansas City this weekend.


Gilberto Status


Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic says key attacker Gilberto, who departed early from their opening day loss to NYCFC with a calf strain, is questionable for Friday's tilt with Orlando.


Festival Lineup


A documentary about the birth of NYCFC titled "Win!" will enjoy its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival next month.


Friendly Dates


Though the games have not been finalized, Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl reports that the US national team will tune up for Copa America with late May friendlies against Ecuador in Frisco, Texas and Bolivia in Kansas City.


Qualifying Questions


Goal.com scribe Ives Galarcep has come up with five questions that require answers before the USMNT continues World Cup qualifying against Guatemala in a couple of weeks.


Upton Funk


In a recent interview with unofficial West Ham United site Knees Up Mother Brown, Galaxy attacker Sebastian Lletget offered his viewpoint that former boss (and current Sunderland manager) Sam Allardyce neglected young players during his time as an Upton Park prospect.


Chris Cross


Former Toronto FC netminder Chris Konopka has hopped the pond for the second time to sign with Ross County, who currently stand fourth in the Scottish Premier League.


Stick Figures


Univision may have razzed LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane over an incorrect UFC fight prediction, but the striker got the last word with a quick quip about their reporter's attire.


MLSsoccer.com Musts:


Watch: Jill Sakovits breaks down the MLS Power Rankings Top Five
Cast your Save of the Week quarterfinal round ballots
Watch: Ignacio Piatti ran Montreal's opening day win