Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT WEDNESDAY
MLS is set to make a major move on Wednesday, with league commissioner Don Garber and Minnesota United owner Dr. Bill McGuire scheduled to make an announcement on the future of pro soccer in Minnesota in Minneapolis on Wednesday. The press conference - which will be held at Target Field, the home of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins - will begin at 12 pm ET and will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com.
2. SOUNDERS VS. TIJUANA
The Seattle Sounders didn’t play a game at the weekend but, rather than enjoy a week off, the club has been gearing up for today’s international friendly against Mexican side Club Tijuana (10pm ET). The main reason for the friendly? According to GM Garth Lagerwey, it's all about preparing for a big run in Champions League.
3. DEUCE ON THE SHELF
In late-breaking news from USMNT camp on Tuesday, Seattle Sounders DP and US captain Clint Dempsey suffered a hamstring injury and will miss out on both matches against Denmark and Switzerland. Find out how long he's expected to be out.
4. NEW STRIKER FOR THE TIMBERS?
With just two goals through their first two games, the Portland Timbers could use a little help up front. They may have found it on Monday, with European outlets reporting that the club has added Ghanaian forward Ishmael Yartey on loan with an option to buy.
5. ALL EYES ON GIOVINCO
Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC face off this Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1) with both teams set to miss key players due to international duty. With RSL making plans to play without several of their starters, Sebastian Giovinco's Italian national team snub may have given TFC an advantage.
6. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE
Orlando City are another team set to be heavily hit by absences this weekend. Despite a heartbreaking late loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday, head coach Adrian Heath is choosing to look at the positives from the game, not least of which was the performance of Cyle Larin. Could the young Canadian help solve the club’s problems up front?
7. SEASON OF SAM
Though he was overshadowed a bit by Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill, Lloyd Sam was one of the New York Red Bulls best players last season. Now, with the superstars gone and a change in both his own and the team’s style, the Englishman could be set for an even bigger year.
8. NO NEWS FROM SKC
Despite a flurry of reports just prior to the start of the season, there are currently no incoming or outgoing players to report at Sporting Kansas City, with the club confirming that they have yet to reach deals for either Rafael van der Vaart or Erik Palmer-Brown.
9. CREW SC MAKING MOVES
While Kei Kamara is thrilled to be back with Columbus Crew SC, the MLS club where it all began for the Sierra Leone international, Crew SC rookie Kalen Ryden will likely have to make his pro debut somewhere else. Head coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed on Monday that the defender will be joining Crew SC USL affiliate Austin Aztex on loan this season.
10. AGUDELO SETTLING DOWN
Though his playing career hit a major speedbump over the last 15 months, Juan Agudelo's European misadventure has seen him grow as a person and a player. Now, still only 22, the Revs forward seems ready to settle down.
11. GREEN CAN STILL MAKE IT
Julian Green’s loan move to Hamburg has been a disaster, but Bayern Munich executive and former German national team star Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the young US international still has what it takes to play for the German champions; even if it takes another season spent out on loan first.
12. TIME TO AUDITION
While qualification for this summer’s U-20 World Cup is now secure, Tab Ramos is far from settled on which players will make up his squad. With the U-20 head coach looking to make some personnel decisions, this training camp is very much an audition for spaces.
13. KEANE BACK IN GREEN
Robbie Keane has departed for the Republic of Ireland’s international camp. Once there, he’ll meet up with new Colorado Rapids striker Kevin Doyle, who insists the LA Galaxy captain played a big part in his decision to move stateside.
14. CALL-UP LIST GROWS
There were more international call-ups for MLS players on Monday, with New York City FC striker Adam Nemec getting an invite to Slovakia’s squad for their upcoming European Cup qualifiers. Jamaica called up a bevy of MLSers for their upcoming friendlies against Venezuela and Cuba, with eight MLS players in the team, including a first call-up for the Houston Dynamo forward Giles Barnes.
15. NEW OWNERS IN SAN ANTONIO?
San Antonio has been public about its desire to ultimately join Major League Soccer. If it does, it might be under new ownership as reports indicate the Scorpions have a shortlist of interested buyers.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Map of 2015 US Open Cup participants shows game’s growing reach
ExtraTime Radio: The best team in MLS has a new ace up their sleeve
Youth movement: Rookie first-round SuperDraft picks already seeing plenty of action
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:
SELECT YOUR FAVORITE CLUB
Atlanta
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
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
