Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. REVOLUTION ROLL ON
The New England Revolution and their group of 1,200 travelling fans came away in good position to reach the MLS Cup final thanks to a 2-1 road win over the New York Red Bulls (HIGHLIGHTS) in the first leg of their Eastern Conference Championship series on Sunday. Once again, it was Jermaine Jones in the right place at the right time.
2. BWP & HENRY STATUS FOR LEG 2
With the Red Bulls in need of goals next week and Bradley Wright-Phillips picking up a yellow-card suspension (that he was unaware of!), Thierry Henry confirmed on Sunday that he will play at Gillette Stadium for the first time in his career. Prior to Sunday's match, Henry also gave a revealing interview with the New York Post and spoke with the BBC’s Football Focus about MLS’ increased popularity.
3. GALAXY EDGE THE SOUNDERS
The LA Galaxy eked out a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Western Conference Championship with the Seattle Sounders (HIGHLIGHTS). Afterward, there were plenty of questions as to why Zach Scott did not receive a second yellow card. Still, the Galaxy are full of confidence, despite missing a number of chances.
4. SOUNDERS GETTING STRONGER
After Sunday's result, the Sounders admitted they are have scoring issues of their own, but they also expect to have a full squad available for next weekend’s second leg, including midfield general Osvaldo Alonso.
5. NO REGRETS FOR DONOVAN
If the LA Galaxy can reach the MLS Cup final, it will offer Landon Donovan one last game in front of his hometown crowd and a chance to retire on a high. However, whatever happens, Donovan says he's retiring without any regrets.
6. SEASON STARTS EARLY FOR TWO MLS TEAMS
D.C. United and the Montreal Impact found out when they will open their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal series. Both teams are scheduled to play their first legs on Tuesday, Feb. 24.
7. IMPACT MAKE MOVES
With CCL a major focus, the Impact have made a couple of moves to rebuild their side for 2015. First, they re-signed goalkeeeper Evan Bush, then they announced the hiring of a new technical director, a familiar name to longtime Impact supporters.
8. ORLANDO IN GOOD "HEATH"
Adrian Heath was already set to lead Orlando City during their first season in MLS, but on Friday the club announced a contract extension that will keep him with the Lions through 2017.
9. FIRE CHASING MALONEY?
With the Chicago Fire needing to bolster their squad for 2015, the club is today being linked to Scotland and Wigan Athletic midfielder Shaun Maloney.
10. TALKING LOS ANGELES OLD AND NEW
Red Bulls assistant coach Robin Fraser obviously has other things to worry about right now, but, as the former head coach of Chivas USA, he recently offered his perspective on the announcement of LAFC.
11. WHITECAPS GO (USL) PRO
The Vancouver Whitecaps unveiled plans to field a USL PRO side next season, becoming the seventh MLS club to do so. Beyond the obvious developmental advantages, the Caps' also hope that known as "Whitecaps FC 2" will extend the passion of the Cascadia rivalry. With all three Canadian sides having now launched their own USL PRO sides, how might the Canadian national team benefit?
12. HOOKING UP WITH FC DALLAS?
FC Dallas will not have a USL PRO side in 2015, but they do plan to find an already established third division side as an affiliate. No word on who that might be just yet, but one observers had a few suggestions.
13. SCORPIONS STILL IN THE RUNNING?
While representatives from Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Sacramento met with MLS officials last week about possible expansion, a soccer executive in another city, San Antonio, believes his own side is still in the running.
14. ANGRY AT KLINSMANN
It seems Jurgen Klinsmann is not angering only MLS owners. Bolton manager Neil Lennon hit out at the US head coach over the manner of Tim Ream’s recent call-up.
15. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE
Planning an away day next season? Not sure which MLS stadiums you’d like to visit? Perhaps this piece can help guide your decision making.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Goal of the Year & Save of the Year: The finals are now open for voting
American Exports: Yanks in action in Mexico & Europe
Lee Nguyen’s rugged road to stardom
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:
Chicago Fire
Chivas USA
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LA Galaxy
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
NY Red Bulls
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
