Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Tricky Ricky
For leading the Lions to a rout of defending champs Portland in his season debut, Orlando City superstar Kaká was named MLS Player of the Week. To celebrate, we compiled a list of his top 5 MLS games.
Down the rest of the roster, the Lions are sweating the weekend availability of both strike star Cyle Larin and starting defender Tommy Redding.
Gonna Party Like It's 1996
As today is the 20th anniversary of the first-ever MLS match, we'll have a bit of fun all day, with site content leading into a Facebook Video Q&A (7:30 pm ET) and culminating with a stream of the full game at 8 pm. One guy who attended that D.C. United vs. San Jose contest, current Earthquakes goal monster Chris Wondolowski, discussed the league's growth since then with Sky Sports
Power Lifts
Kaká's Orlando City and offensive-minded Real Salt Lake were the biggest movers in our latest MLS Power Rankings. As such, it should come as no surprise that six of their players made the top 20 in this week's Audi Player Index.
Bes-Laid Plans
Sporting KC head coach Peter Vermes reports that even though concussed defender Matt Besler is improving, they are preparing for Saturday's trip to New York to face the Red Bulls as if he won't be ready.
SoccerBible Makes SKC Pilgrimage
UK-based soccer culture outlet SoccerBible paid a visit to Children's Mercy Park, Sporting Kansas City's ground, to capture the venue in photographs and came away highly impressed, calling it "a metropolis of footballing goodness" and "a shimmering spectacle to call home," among other things.
Keane Observer
LA Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena says recovering forward Robbie Keane should be back in a month, with plenty of time to round into form for Euro 2016.
Headed To Rio?
The Columbus Dispatch reports that Crew SC boss Gregg Berhalter may be willing to release Iraq international Justin Meram to play in the Summer Olympics.
Swede Talk
An Italian report claims Torino midfield ace Alexander Farnerud, who runs out of contract this summer, has multiple MLS suitors.
Not Over The Rainbow Yet
Sporting Kansas City have announced they are bringing back their inaugural season rainbow jerseys to wear during warm-ups before next week's home game with Colorado, and will sport rainbow-splashed numbers on their match kits.
If You Build It …
Orlando City majority owner Flavio Augusto da Silva toured their new stadium build, calling it 'a dream come true.'
Training Deals
Local blog RSL Soapbox details plans made by Real Salt Lake to build a new training facility, complete with artist renderings.
Ooook-lahoma!
The owners of Oklahoma City Energy FC went on the local news to discuss their MLS ambitions.
Klinsi Q&A
US national team boss Jurgen Klinsmann covered several topics during Tuesday's Facebook Q&A, including the upcoming Copa America adventure and Jordan Morris' learning curve.
Point Brek
Ever wonder about the explanation behind Brek Shea's unusual goal celebration? The Orlando City left back/painter has an art-based answer.
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