Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. THE COMEBACK KID
Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia was announced as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Wednesday. The 29-year-old had played a total of six MLS games prior to 2015 and had been cut by Chivas USA last summer, yet emerged as one of the league's most consistent starters as the year progressed.
2. AN OFFER YOU CAN’T REFUSE?
Speaking during Wednesday’s end-of-season conference call, Seattle Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey confirmed that not only have the Sounders offered US international and Stanford University junior Jordan Morris a Homegrown Player contract, but it’s the largest offer made to an MLS academy product.
3. SCHMID WASN’T WORRIED
Sigi Schmid is pleased to be returning as Seattle Sounders head coach, but said he wasn’t really worried about losing his job. Schmid has certainly had his fair share of adventures, perhaps none more interesting than the time he apparently snuck into Estadio Azteca in the trunk of a car.
4. RED BULLS ENJOYING STRONG SUPPORT
While the New York Red Bulls' roster may be locked in for the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, is there another sign of things to come based on who is training with the first team? Meanwhile, Red Bull Arena is sold out for the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship, and it seems the South Ward are also taking plenty of fans to Ohio as well.
5. TRAPP IS THE KEY
Kei Kamara is quite rightly attracting a lot of attention due to his outstanding 2016 campaign with Columbus Crew SC, but could it actually be midfield star Wil Trapp who holds the key to the club’s chances against the New York Red Bulls?
6. YOUR VERY OWN PAPER DOLLS
There are still a few days left until the Conference Championship first legs on Sunday: Columbus Crew SC vs. NY Red Bulls (5 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes in USA; MLS LIVE in Canada) and Portland Timbers vs. FC Dallas (7:30 pm ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes in USA; TSN2 in Canada). What better way to pass the time than putting together your very own set of Conference Championship paper dolls?
7. PSYCHOLOGY OF A PENALTY KICK
We could be facing penalty kick shootouts by the time the MLS Conference Championships are through with the decisive second legs on November 29. Ever wonder what goes through the minds of the goalkeeper and penalty taker? A Southern New Hampshire University psychology professor takes you inside their brain in the first edition of In Session.
8. IS ANOTHER MEXICAN INT'L EYEING MLS?
Could Chivas Guadalajara star Marco Fabián be looking to move north of the border and join an MLS side? That's the early word based on reports emerging from Mexico.
9. REVS LINING UP JONES REPLACEMENT?
The future of Jermaine Jones with the New England Revolution is still unclear, but the Revs aren't waiting around to bolster their midfield. According to reports, they are looking at Ivory Coast and Newcastle United midfielder Cheick Tioté.
10. FIND YOUR IDENTITY
It goes without saying that 2015 was not the best of years for the US national team, and while they hope 2016 will be better, do the US need to rediscover their identity before they start improving?
11. NOW AVAILABLE IN AFRICA
You’ll soon be able to catch MLS games in even more places around the world, after MLS and Fox Sports Africa reached a deal to broadcast games in sub-Saharan Africa, starting immediately. The latest agreement marks the league’s eighth international TV deal.
12. ANOTHER HONOR FOR BECKHAM
While David Beckham has just been named People magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive,” the potential MLS club owner is apparently still working on a deal to help make his Miami club a reality.
13. MEOLA TO BECOME HEAD COACH?
Could another former US international be set to move into management? According to a report that emerged on Thursday, former US national team and MLS goalkeeper Tony Meola could be set to take over the coaching reins of the Jacksonville Armada.
14. A SOCCER STAR’S DIET
DeAndre Yedlin is incredibly quick, but what does the former Seattle Sounders star eat as part of a daily diet to help him maintain his high performance as an elite pro soccer player?
15. GERRARD TO FACE LIVERPOOL?
An offseason return to Liverpool was shot down by Steven Gerrard, but could the LA Galaxy star be set to face his former club for the very first time? It turns out there might be an opportunity this summer.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Vancouver Whitecaps target MLS Cup win in 2016
Liam Ridgewell enjoying buzz around first playoff experience
Ex-Chicago Fire presidents offer praise and advice for new GM
