Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CAHILL DEPARTS
Tim Cahill and the New York Red Bulls officially agreed to mutually part ways on Monday, and it wasn’t long before the Asian Cup winner found a new club, signing with Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua.
2. GIOVINCO’S ON HIS WAY
Sebastian Giovinco will be with Toronto FC in time for the start of the MLS season after securing his immediate release from Juventus. The Italian international wasn’t expected to join the side until July, but according to GM Tim Bezbatchenko, Giovinco and his agent worked hard to ensure his prompt arrival in Toronto. Here's the lowdown on how the Reds got their man.
3. THE LIONS ROAR
Orlando City revealed on Monday that their season ticket sales have surpassed 11,000, and the news didn’t stop there. The Lions are working to finalize a deal with Brazilian defender Paul Andre, and they also announced the signing of former Chivas USA midfielder Eric Avila.
4. NYCFC GET THEIR MAN
German side Union Berlin accidentally revealed this transfer last week, so it didn't surprise anyone on Monday when New York City FC confirmed the capture of Slovakian international forward Adam Nemec, with head coach Jason Kreis confident his new signing “adds further goalscoring threat to our team.”
5. MORE EARTHQUAKES TO COME?
At the official press unveiling of the San Jose Earthquakes newest Designated Player, Swiss international Innocent Emeghara described MLS as “the future,” while general manager John Doyle indicated the club is still in the market for more signings.
6. KNIGHT-FALL
After a tumultuous time acquiring a work permit, Zat Knight only signed with the Colorado Rapids on Oct. 1 last year. It was a bit surprising then when word came out Monday that the Rapids had agreed to part ways with the 6-foot-6 English defender.
7. NEW FACES, NEW CHALLENGES IN ‘CAPS PRESEASON
As the Vancouver Whitecaps continue their preparations for the new season, there are some familiar faces joining the team’s preseason training camp in Charleston as trialists. The time in South Carolina also gives the Whitecaps' young Canadian internationals a chance to put their recent CONCACAF U20 Championship failure behind them.
8. TEMPORARY SOLUTION?
While David Beckham’s Miami group continues to search for a suitable location for a soccer-specific stadium in Miami, could a temporary solution be at hand? The Miami-Dade County Commission certainly think so, as they’re pushing for the use of FIU Campus facilities.
9. MORE SPACE FOR SOUNDERS
2014 may have been the first year the Seattle Sounders failed to break their own attendance record, but the club still averaged an incredible 43,734 fans. As such, the Supporters' Shield winners are expanding the capacity at CenturyLink Field to roughly 40,000 seats per game in 2015.
10. CHAVEZ & PAREJA REUNITING?
There were three Hondurans from MLS, including two from the Houston Dynamo, called up to Honduras’ squad for Wednesdays game against Venezuela. A fourth player, Marvin Chavez, is still looking for a new club and is currently training with FC Dallas.
11. AMERICANS ABROAD
It was another mixed day for Americans abroad, for while Alejandro Bedoya signed a new three-year extension with French side Nantes and Bobby Wood escaped his nightmare situation at 1860 Munich, Joe Gyau appears to be out of action for the rest of the season after a second surgery on his knee.
12. VELA INJURED
El Tri have an injury problem of their own to deal with as striker Carlos Vela has been ruled out for two months following an injury to his right knee. It means the forward will likely miss games against Ecuador and Paraguay in the buildup to a busy summer for Mexico.
13. U-18S FIND A BALANCE
Following a win and a loss in their opening two games, the US U-18s moved their record to 1-1-1 in the Copa Chivas on Monday after a 1-1 draw against Club Tijuana. The Javier Perez-coached side close out the tournament today against Deportivo Universidad Catolica.
14. USL DATES
The USL PRO schedule is out for those of you who want to follow the developmental pyramid closely in 2015. There’s also news on where the New York Red Bulls new team will play some of their games this year.
15. THE WEST WING
The LA Galaxy once again traveled to D.C to be honored by the President as MLS Champions, Omar Gonzalez made light of a somewhat unwelcome similarity and President Obama singled out Robbie Rogers for praise during his speech.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Meram talks Iraq, rock star treatment at Asian Cup
Transfer Watch: Is Di Natale on his way to MLS?
With just one win in nine, Klinsmann offers his take on US national team’s shortcomings
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