Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning. Don’t forget to vote for May’s Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month!
1. CASCADIA IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
The draw for the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League is done and dusted and is set to feature a couple Cascadia clashes as the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders found themselves in the group of death with Olimpia. D.C. United, LA Galaxy and Real Salt Lake also learned their fates.
2. THE SOUNDERS' NEW SIGNING
With that Champions League campaign coming up later this year, the Seattle Sounders are going to need a big squad. On Monday, the club confirmed the signing of Brazilian midfielder Thomas Jaguaribe Bedinelli after securing all the necessary paperwork for their new player.
3. LUYINDULA RETIRES
Looks like we can stop wondering what happened to Peguy Luyindula, as word has come down that the French striker has officially retired and is no longer a part of the New York Red Bulls squad. That may have slipped under the radar a little bit, but Luyindula did receive a nice tribute from the last man to coach him.
4. U20S ROAST THE HOSTS
The US U-20’s secured their passage through the group stage of the U-20 World Cup with a 4-0 win against hosts New Zealand thanks to goals from Rubio Rubin, Emerson Hyndman and Paul Arriola. This came after Ukraine beat Myanmar 6-0 in the other Group A game. However, prior to the game, Tab Ramos’ side did receive some bad news as it seems forward Maki Tall could miss the rest of the competition with a broken toe.
5. MLS PLAYERS FUEL HONDURAS U-20S
Elsewhere in the U-20 World Cup, fellow CONCACAF qualifiers Honduras won their opening game against Uzbekistan, 4-3, thanks in no small part to a pair of MLS players. Orlando City’s Bryan Rochez scored two goals, including the game-winner, with one of them coming on an assist from the Vancouver Whitecaps' Deybi Flores.
6. U-23S NEED TO WIN
The US U-23s are back in action today for what could be their final game in this year’s Toulon Tournament. Andi Herzog’s side need to beat Qatar and then hope other results go their way in order to stand any chance of playing for third place.
7. CHANCES TO SHINE FOR USMNT’S YOUNGER PLAYERS
Jurgen Klinsmann is very much looking forward to taking on Germany for the third year in a row, but he’ll have to do it without some of his most influential players. Clint Dempsey will miss the European trip as he expects the birth of his fourth child, but fellow Sounder Brad Evans is keen for another chance to impress.
8. AGUDELO’S COMEBACK CONTINUES
Juan Agudelo will have another chance to shine in the upcoming US friendlies. After overcoming what felt like a wasted year in Europe, the New England Revolution forward looks to have been reborn since his return to MLS.
9. NO APPEAL FROM CREW SC
Check out Instant Replay's look at all this week’s controversial calls. It seems Columbus Crew SC will not be appealing Michael Parkhurst’s red card on the understanding that the decision is unlikely to be overturned.
10. MAGEE GOES 60 MINUTES
Mike Magee made his return to first team action on Saturday, but not with the Chicago Fire. Instead, the former MLS MVP played 60 minutes on loan with the Fire’s USL affiliate, Saint Louis FC, before returning to training with his Fire teammates on Monday morning.
11. ROBINSON WANTS MORE FROM KOFFIE
Gershon Koffie made his 100th appearance for the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday and scored a screamer in the process, yet, as head coach Carl Robinson points out, “he also missed a sitter, so I’ll keep his feet on the ground.”
12. WHATS NEXT FOR DERO?
Dwayne De Rosario may have formally announced his retirement on Saturday, but don’t think that means you’ve seen the last of Canada’s all-time leading scorer. According to the former MLS and MLS Cup MVP, there’s still plenty of work to be done.
13. COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO IN DOUBT
Could next summer’s US hosted Copa America Centenario be in jeopardy? The recent accusations made against high-ranking members of CONCACAF, including the latest suspension, has some in CONMEBOL questioning the viability of the tournament.
14. A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
Could Canada be set to gain its own professional top flight? According to reports on Monday, the Canadian Soccer Association hopes to have an 8-10 team league in place by 2017.
15. CHEER UP FREDY!
In case you missed it, Sporting Clube de Portugal won the Portuguese Cup at the weekend, thanks in no small part to a Fredy Montero goal. Yet, looking at some of the pictures, he doesn’t seem too thrilled about it.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Dom Dwyer plays the Newlywed game with Sydney LeRoux live on ExtraTime Radio
Women’s World Cup: What to expect in 2015
Sporting Kansas City’s Chance Myer still patient despite reaching one year of rehab from injury
Get the Kick Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
SELECT YOUR FAVORITE CLUB
Atlanta
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting KC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
I don't have a favorite team
