Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. USMNT FALL DESPITE GOALS FROM SHEA, ALTIDORE
Despite their interesting new 3-5-2 formation that helped the US national team to a 2-1 first-half lead, 2015 started the same way 2014 finished: with a loss. Newly returned MLSers Brek Shea and Jozy Altidore both gave the US the advantage, but on both occasions it was squandered as the US fell 3-2 to Chile. Three promising MLS talents made their national-team debuts – Steve Birnbaum, Wil Trapp and Gyasi Zardes – in the loss. Find out which players impressed and what lessons there were to be learned from the new-look side.
2. KLJESTAN IS A RED BULL
Having moved up the Allocation Rankings on Tuesday, the New York Red Bulls were able to complete the signing of Sacha Kljestan on Wednesday. The US international is a big get for the Red Bulls and Sporting Director Ali Curtis confirmed that Kljestan will not occupy a Designated Player spot this season. The move is just the latest twist in what have been a busy few weeks for the club.
3. CAHILL UNHAPPY?
While Kljestan will join the Red Bulls for their preseason training in Florida, will Tim Cahill be joining him? With Australia facing South Korea in Saturday's Asian Cup final, a decision should be coming soon, and it's worth reading about the history of the Australian’s up-and-down relationship with the Red Bulls. Meanwhile, after picking up a knock during his training spell in Qatar, Homegrown defender Matt Miazga is apparently heading back to New York.
4. SOUNDERS UPDATE
There was mixed news from Seattle Sounders training camp on Wednesday. While Obafemi Martins is back with the team now, Osvaldo Alonso missed another day of training and will see a specialist about his leg injury. It also looks like a new face will be joining training from a European club, potentially to line up a transfer.
5. IT’S A TRAPP
Wil Trapp was among those making his US national team debut on Wednesday night and, having coached him with both Akron and the US U-23s, that was no surprise to Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter, who recommended Trapp to Jurgen Klinsmann a year ago.
6. OFFERS FOR ADU
Is Freddy Adu set to return to MLS for the second time? The 25-year-old apparently has tryout offers on the table from two teams in the league but, while Adu currently trains alone in the Washington area, he’s believed to still favor a move back to Europe.
7. KAKA CAME CLOSE BEFORE
D.C. United are set to take on Orlando City this Friday in a preseason friendly, but anyone hoping to see Kaka in action could be disappointed. Still, the Brazilian is looking forward to his MLS debut and has spoken about how close he came to joining the New York Red Bulls three years ago.
8. TIMBERS TRAINING TEST
Caleb Porter is confident that his Portland Timbers are already showing good preseason form and, with the team now in Arizona for a 15-day training spell, Porter will get his first real measuring stick of their progress when his team takes on Sporting Kansas City this Saturday.
9. LOWDOWN FROM PAREJA
As FC Dallas preseason camp continues, head coach Oscar Pareja has provided updates on the status of Stephen Keel and Kellyn Acosta, as well as giving us some insight into his training methodology. Meanwhile, technical director Fernando Clavijo denied recent rumors about Michael Essien.
10. STAYING OR GOING?
Up in Ontario, while Designated Player Gilberto appears to be nearing the end of his time with Toronto FC with the club carrying four Designated Players (one over the limit) fellow striker Luke Moore has now arrived for preseason training after restructuring his contract with the club.
11. LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT MAN
The Colorado Rapids are still in pursuit of a second Designated Player to help the team improve their fortunes this season, but don’t expect a rushed decision. The Rapids say they are taking their time to ensure they choose the right player for the job.
12. IMPRESSING THE GALAXY
After every team passed on US Under-23 international Ramon Martín del Campo in the MLS SuperDraft, his contract with the league was voided, but the defender is now attempting to earn a deal with the LA Galaxy. So is Edson Buddle for that matter, with the striker scoring in a Wednesday scrimmage victory against Ventura County Fusion.
13. THE KINGS' REPUBLIC?
The Sacramento Republic’s bid to become an MLS team got a major boost on Wednesday, as the NBA’s Sacramento Kings announced they were investing in the USL PRO side’s attempts to secure a spot in MLS.
14. ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
US Under-20 head coach Tab Ramos admits his side could and should have scored more goals in the recent CONCACAF U-20 Championship, but the important thing for him is that they still qualified for the U-20 World Cup: “These experiences are invaluable for our players.”
15. MILITARY MEN
While the Colorado Rapids recently selected US Naval Academy player Joe Greenspan in the MLS SuperDraft, the state’s new USL PRO side, the Colorado Switchbacks, are also looking for a slice of the military action as they attempt to work out a deal with former Sounders draft pick Kevin Kerr, a current Air Force officer stationed nearby.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Altidore motivated by Toronto FC move
Kei Kamara ready to be go-to striker for Crew SC
Whitecaps center-backs set to battle it out for starting spots
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