Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Happy New Year, everyone! Here's hoping everyone welcomed 2016 the way they wanted. A number of players and clubs have been passing along their best wishes, as did MLS Commissioner Don Garber, although few did it like Andrea Pirlo.
2. DROGBA DEAL?
Didier Drogba may well have his heart set on a move back to his former English Premier League club Chelsea FC but, with a year left on his MLS contract, negotiations are ongoing with regard to his future, and one report claims that the two parties remain far apart on terms.
3. ALL WILL BE REVEALED JAN. 7
The season openers have already been announced, and soon you can start planning the rest of your year as well, as the full MLS regular-season schedule is set to be revealed Thursday. That isn’t the only thing scheduled for unveiling that day, either: LAFC are getting ready to reveal their crest and colors as well.
4. SHAPING A SUPERDRAFT
The MLS Combine also gets underway on Thursday, running through January 12, and 60 players have been invited to take part in this year’s event in Florida, including several late additions. The full list of attendees includes the teams they’ve been split into.
5. BEST IN CLASS?
With less than two weeks to go until the MLS SuperDraft, how is the 2016 Generation adidas class shaping up? Georgetown talent Josh Yaro will be one of the top picks, if he signs with the league, but who will take a chance on Jordan McCrary? Meanwhile, Goal.com reported on Monday that Stanford star and US national teamer Jordan Morris is finally ready to turn pro, most likely as a Homegrown signing for the Seattle Sounders.
6. FIRE LOOK FOR DEFENSIVE REINFORCEMENTS
Nelson Rodriguez, the Chicago Fire's new general manager, has moved to deny any rumors of striker David Accam’s departure, stating that “David is a key part of our team and a key part of our plans for 2016 and beyond.” Rodriguez also indicated that the club is looking to strengthen its defense.
7. TECHERA TO RETURN FOR THE WHITECAPS
Good news for Vancouver Whitecaps fans: it seems that Cristian Techera will be back with the Canadian team for 2016, although the exact terms of his return are as yet unclear.
8. MORE SOUTH AMERICAN SPEED FOR DALLAS?
Could FC Dallas be looking to add another South American winger to their roster? A new report suggests that the Western Conference finalists are looking to try and bring in high-octane Venezuelan international Yohandry Orozco.
9. COLOMBIAN CREW SC?
Radamel Falcao has once again been linked with a move to MLS, this time with Columbus Crew SC, but the injured Colombian striker is reportedly determined to fight for his place at England's Chelsea. Could a current Crew SC striker be heading towards the exit?
10. SILVA SET FOR TIGRES?
Technically, Luis Silva doesn’t have a new club just yet. But the former Real Salt Lake, D.C. United and Toronto FC player is training with Liga MX side Tigres ahead of a rumored move to the Mexican team.
11. PLAYERS TO WATCH
Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of the “100 players to watch in World Football in 2016” and it included six MLS players, with Columbus midfielder Will Trapp ranking highest among them, coming in at No. 43 on the list.
12. RAMOS NAMES HIS ROSTER
The start of the US national team’s January camp has been delayed until Jan. 10, meaning the announcement of the squad for the year-opening training event has also been pushed back. However, Tab Ramos has released his 36-man roster for the upcoming US U-20 camp in Miami.
13. ANOTHER BIG GET FOR CANADA
The past year was a big one for Canadian soccer. Yet while Victor Montagliani was pleased with 2015, the president of the Canadian Soccer Association feels there are definitely still areas for improvement. Meanwhile, the Canadian national team might have landed a few impressive international commitments.
14. SAN ANTONIO DETAILS COMING SOON
With a brand-new USL soccer team set for San Antonio this year, the club’s owners have said that the new side’s name, coach and schedule will be revealed this month, with the community set to have a role in deciding the club’s new moniker.
15. WHICH FRANCHISE IS YOUR FRANCHISE?
It's a simple question: If your favorite MLS team was an NFL franchise, which one would it be?
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