Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. BIG DAY FOR STADIUM PROPOSALS
Wednesday is a crucial day for a couple of soccer-stadium projects in the works, with the final vote on a financing plan for D.C. United’s new stadium plan taking place, and a city council vote in Las Vegas on stadium funding for a potential future MLS club.
2. RSL REPLACE LAGERWEY
Real Salt Lake moved quickly to announce that
Craig Waibel would be moving from assistant coach to technical director
, assuming responsiblities of soon-to-depart GM Garth Lagerwey. The club’s owner, Dell Loy Hansen, also revealed that
there are new contracts on the way for Kyle Beckerman and Nick Rimando
.
3. SKC ADD AN INTERNATIONAL
Sporting Kansas City signed Haitian midfielder James Marcelin on Tuesday. The 28-year-old most recently played for the Ft. Lauderdale strikers in the NASL and is a regular member of the Haitian national team.
4. BRADLEY HEADING TO PORTLAND?
Looks like former US national team coach Bob Bradley might be on his way back to the USA sooner than you think. However, before anyone gets too excited, it’s only because his Stabaek side are rumored to be one of the opponents in the Simple Invitational, the Portland Timbers' preseason tournament.
5. DOUBLE DOWN ON DAX
Midfielder Dax McCarty wants to stay with the New York Red Bulls, and it seems the feeling is mutual, with reports emerging that the Red Bulls turned down a significant offer for the Florida native from Orlando City.
6. PEARCE'S ROLE
Defender Heath Pearce is set to play for his fifth MLS side at Orlando City. What will the former US international bring to the Lions?
7. ‘HAPPY’ ROSALES STAYING PUT
Having removed himself from the Re-Entry Draft, Argentine playmaker Mauro Rosales got his wish and re-signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Rosales claims he turned down other, more lucrative offers in order to stay with the ‘Caps: “My mind was just to be in a place where you’re going to be happy.”
8. ACCAM DEAL STILL ON
The David Accam-to-Chicago saga has taken another turn. The latest reports suggest that, in spite of the Ghanaian's own remarks, the striker will be heading to the USA this week to finalize a deal.
- CUBO TALKS CONTINUE
Although the Dec. 15 deadline has passed, officials from both Chivas de Guadalajara and MLS remain locked in discussions over the future of former Chivas USA star Erick “Cubo” Torres.
10. GOLD CUP VENUES
CONCACAF announced the dates, group seeds, and venues for next year’s Gold Cup. Thirteen stadiums have been selected for the tournament, including five MLS venues. The USMNT will open the tournement at FC Dallas's Toyota Stadium on July 7. And, for the first time in history, a game will be hosted in Canada, at BMO Field.
11. REAL MADRID ON "CRUZ" CONTROL
CONCACAF Champions League holders Cruz Azul crashed out of the FIFA Club World Cup after being taken apart 4-0 by UEFA champs Real Madrid. While Madrid move onto the final, los Azulinos will play the loser of Wednesday's other semifinal between San Lorenzo and Auckland City.
12. CONCACAF STARS ON THE MOVE?
Mexican national team goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa hasn’t had the best time since joining Malaga in the summer, but that might be at an end after reports emerged linking the shot stopper with a move to EPL side Liverpool. Meanwhile, should USMNT star Jozy Altidore leave Sunderland for his own sake?
13. ANOTHER WRIGHT-PHILLIPS TO MLS?
Although there is scant concrete evidence, this report suggests that Bradley Wright-Phillips' brother, Shawn, might be primed to move to MLS.
- TOUGH CHOICE FOR MORRIS
Will recent US national team debutant Jordan Morris opt to sign with the Seattle Sounders, or remain in college for another year? The 20-year-old spoke to the San Jose Mercury-News about his choice, noting that it “would be tough to get some playing time" with the Sounders.
15. GINGER FOX
Next season sees Fox Sports back as a broadcasting partner of MLS, and the network is bolstering its on-air talent pool, signing former US international and longtime ESPN pundit Alexi Lalas.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
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Alvas Powell credits development with Portland Timbers for recent success
WATCH: Father surprises twin boys, both NE Revolution fans, with trip to MLS Cup final
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