Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Gold Cup details unveiled
The new year will bring with it another edition of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and on Monday we learned the 13 cities that will host matches. US and Mexico national team fans can already start making plans: The dates and venues for their group matches are already public.
Los premios
LA Galaxy ace Giovani dos Santos has bagged Univision Deportes' MLS Player of the Year prize. However, he could do no better than finish third in the Futbol MLS Latino del Año fan voting, with that prize going to Seattle's MLS Cup hero Roman Torres.
Lions' pride
Orlando City can already boast of their new wall section for supporters and a new deal for defender Jose Aja, and now they're apparently close to capturing a center back out of a European top flight.
Reloading for next season
Supporters' Shield holders FC Dallas have added a pair of new cogs in former Belgium winger Roland Lamah and Costa Rica defender Jose Salvatierra.
Ouch!
Vancouver Whitecaps defender David Edgar suffered a knee injury in a hit-and-run incident in Arizona this weekend.
'Tis the season
Reports of MLS signings are coming fast and furious as December winds down, with Atlanta United apparently set to snare free agent and former Sporting KC attacker Jacob Peterson.
Trade Talk
Minnesota United have reportedly dealt netminder Jeff Attinella to Portland to acquire the rights to Club Leon's US winger Miguel Ibarra, who not so long ago starred for the Twin Cities outfit in the NASL.
United catch?
Washington Post reporter Steven Goff says that D.C. United have clinched the signing of Alajuelense attacker Jose Guillermo Ortiz.
Rumor mill, Pt. 1
Honduras striker Alberth Elis has left Monterrey, and is said to be set to sign for a mystery MLS team.
Rumor mill, Pt. 2
According to an English tabloid, the LA Galaxy are set to chase Barnsley playmaker Conor Hourihane.
Sounders eye new forward
A French report claims MLS champs Seattle are battling four European clubs for Dinamo Zagreb's Algeria attacker Hilal El Arabi Soudani.
Miller time in Portland?
The Portland Timbers reportedly have sights set on veteran Costa Rica defender Roy Miller, who formerly played in MLS with the New York Red Bulls.
Nashville stadium bill
A Tennessee state senator has introduced legislation to earn Nashville's MLS group tax money for a new stadium.
Going for goals
Hamburg's Bobby Wood and Hearts forward Bjorn Maars Johnsen scored excellent Saturday goals, while Ingolstadt midfielder Alfredo Morales opened his season account with a bullet header on Sunday.
Next in line?
German outlet Kicker claims Huddersfield Town's American manager David Wagner is the top candidate to succeed troubled Wolfsburg boss Valerien Ismael.
Strike one
With challenges and accusations against his mayorship in Cuernavaca, Mexico, former Chicago Fire star Cuauhtemoc Blanco has just ended a hunger strike.
Pick-me-up games
Columbus Crew SC wing ace Justin Meram has been spending his offseason playing pick-up games with young Iraqi refugees.
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