Kick Off: All-Star party continues in San Jose | Schmid, Seattle part ways

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


A Full Day


Tuesday brings with it another full slate of activites at AT&T MLS All-Star Week in San Jose, including the stream of the pregame press conference with Arsene Wenger and Dominic Kinnear, a live Men In Blazers show with plenty of special guests and this Facebook Q&A with MLS Commissioner Don Garber. In other All-Star Game news, the captain for the MLS squad was officially named.


The Visitors


While Arsenal "train" with MLS legend Cobi Jones to make California lifestyle adjustments, you can take a few moments to get to know Gunners youngster and US youth international Gedion Zelalem. One Arsenal player who won't be involved in Thursday's All-Star Game is Per Mertesacker, who has been ruled out with a knee injury.


Moment of Truth 


Landon Donovan has just 24 hours left to get his Chipotle MLS Homegrown Team ready to take on the Mexico U-20's on Wednesday night from Avaya Stadium (9 pm ET; livestream on MLSsoccer.com and MLS LIVE). In between training sessions, Donovan was busy showing off his soccer tennis skills on the Facebook campus.


Change In Seattle


Breaking news on Tuesday morning: The Seattle Sounders and Sigi Schmid, the only head coach they've every known, have officially parted ways. His assistant, Brian Schmetzer, will take over on an interim basis.


Honor Roll


The Montreal Impact topped all MLS clubs by placing three players on the MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week.


Talking Turkey


Sports Illustrated's Brian Straus has dug up the details of Fabian Castillo's reported transfer from FC Dallas to Turkish side Trabzonspor, which he says is nearly complete.


Nick Of Time?


Reputed Seattle catch Nicolas Lodeiro was spotted at an Argentine airport, where he said his goodbyes to Boca Juniors before boarding a plane reportedly set for America. Fox Soccer scribe Caitlin Murray wonders if the move comes in time to save the Sounders' season.


City Rivals


Fresh from bagging another pair of goals against New York City FC this past weekend, Red Bulls ace Bradley Wright-Phillips admits he loves to play the derby hero. Meanwhile, NYCFC are quickly attempting to put Sunday's big defeat in the rearview mirror.


Man Down


Portland center back Nat Borchers has been lost for the season after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery.


The New King


With a pair of restart strikes in their weekend win, Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco has become the all-time MLS free kick goal leader.


No Go - Part 1


Sporting Kansas City boss Peter Vermes says the club has rejected the Olympiakos offer for forward Dom Dwyer.


No Go - Part 2


Following his trade from D.C. United to Vancouver, Fabian Espindola is reportedly refusing to report to the Whitecaps and his agent is working on a new landing spot.


Taking The Steres?


In addition to chasing D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum, Europa League entrants Maccabi Tel Aviv are now reportedly checking out Galaxy back liner Daniel Steres.


Mr. Jones


In an interview with The Telegraph, fresh Atlanta United recruit Kenwyne Jones explains why he joined the expansion side.


The New Guy


Former New England Revolution defender A.J. Soares has moved up in the world of European soccer by signing a two-year deal to join early Danish co-leaders AGF Aarhus. You can watch his first interview on the club's official YouTube channel.


"Ummm... Me?"


Some Chelsea players are far from American history experts, but Matt Miazga got his question right in this quiz video.


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