Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. MAKING AN IMPACT?
The Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League is back and with the Montreal Impact set to take on Pachuca tonight (10pm ET, Fox Sports 2). Will the opposition be guilty of underestimating the new-look Impact? Everything you need to know is here and in this video.
2. KNOW THY ENEMY
Now that the CCL quarterfinals have arrived, here’s what to expect from the two games that don’t involve MLS teams as well as a handy breakdown of everything you need to know about the tournament's first knockout stage. It’s also the main subject on the latest edition of ExtraTime Radio.
3. ONE MORE DRAFT
Did you think Draft season was over? Think again, as the League will hold a special Waiver Draft via conference call on Tuesday at 3 pm ET, with Robert Earnshaw among the six players available to MLS sides.
4. MOVING PARTS
Marcel de Jong hasn’t been signed by Sporting Kansas City yet, but as head coach Peter Vermes continues to examine the Canadian international, he admits “[de Jong’s] got lots of interesting qualities as a player.” However, while de Jong could still join, Honduran international Jorge Claros is officially out.
5. ANOTHER NEW GOALKEEPER
With Zac MacMath on loan to the Colorado Rapids for the year and Andre Blake ruled out for up to six weeks following surgery on his left knee, the Philadelphia Union were light on goalkeepers. Enter new signing John McCarthy, the 22-year-old Philadelphia native who won the USL’s Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Season awards last year.
6. THE BEST LEFT BACK IN MLS?
Toronto FC made some big acquisitions this offseason, but did they already have the best left back in MLS? They do according to the man himself, Justin Morrow, who insists “that’s always my goal.” Meanwhile, former TFC striker Emery Welshman appears to have found a home with Real Salt Lake’s USL side: the Real Monarchs.
7. DYNAMO’S DRAFT DELIGHTS
So far so good for the Houston Dynamo’s SuperDraft selections, as the club revealed on Monday that all four of their 2015 picks have now signed contracts with the team, marking the first time in Dynamo history they’ve signed four players from one draft class. But will it lead to success in 2015? Veteran Giles Barnes certainly has high hopes.
8. KENNEDY AIMING FOR NOVEMBER
Dan Kennedy has never appeared in an MLS playoff match but, following his winter move to FC Dallas, could the 32-year-old help his new side go all the way in 2015?
9. JOHNSON CLOSE TO RETURNING?
Ben Zemanski’s injury is just the latest to wreak havoc on the Portland Timbers lineup ahead of the new MLS season, but it seems there could be some good news for the team from the Rose City, as Will Johnson could apparently make his return within three to four games of the new calendar.
10. VILLA THE LEADER
With Frank Lampard set for a mid-summer arrival, David Villa has stepped up as a leader to guide the new club into their first season. Speaking of expansion leaders, Orlando City named Kaka captain on Tuesday morning.
11. MLS ACADAMIES HELP SHAPE UNDER-17S
The US Under-17s wrapped up their preparations for the U17 CONCACAF Championship with two wins over the weekend. Examining the US and Canadian squads for the tournament, which begins on Friday, it's clear MLS academy players make up a sizeable number of each nation's rosters.
12. KLINSMANN HEADING BACK TO GERMANY
It appears that US head coach Jurgen Klinsmann is looking to bring another German-American into the US national team, this time in the form of Hamburg right back Ashton Gotz. Meanwhile, FC Dallas’ Matt Hedges is using past national team snubs as motivation to succeed.
13. CHARLTON OVER CHICAGO
Despite a recent trial with the MLS side, French international Alou Diarra has instead opted to join English Championship side Charlton Athletic until the end of the English season.
14. FROM VERONA TO VIKINGS
With AJ Soares’ move to Hellas Verona falling apart (thanks to Rafa Marquez, reportedly), the former New England Revolution defender has instead signed with Norwegian side Viking through the summer of 2016 after impressing the team on trial over the past week.
15. WHITECAPS KITS
The new season brings with it a new look for the Vancouver Whitecaps, who unveiled their brand-new primary jerseys on Monday.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Right Man, Right Spot? Colorado Rapids exploring all options to fill vacant right-back position
Bob Bradley on Americans abroad: “We’ve all had to fight like crazy for respect”
Dominic Kinnear sets high bar on his return to the San Jose Earthquakes
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