CONCACAF's marquee competition kicks off on Tuesday. For comprehensive 2015 Gold Cup coverage, bookmark this page.
Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. GOING FOR GOLD
The US men's national team get their Gold Cup campaign underway tonight with against fellow 2014 World Cup participants Honduras (9:30 pm ET; Fox Sports 1, UniMas, UDN in the US; Sportsnet World in Canada). As defending champions, the USMNT are aiming to get their campaign started the right way, but Group A may be tougher than it seems.
2. THE COMPETITION
In the early game on Monday, Haiti take on Panama (7 pm ET; Fox Sports 2, UDN in the US; Sportsnet World in Canada) in a match that could change the trajectory of Group A. MLS stalwarts Gabriel Torres and Blas Perez hope they can lead Panama past former Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Steward Ceus.
3. BREAKING IN A BACKLINE
The US' youthful backline will, in part, determine the team’s success at the Gold Cup. Here's what the numbers say about what they offer. Slightly higher up the field, Michael Bradley stands on the verge of his 100th US cap and the captain gave his thoughts on the occasion on Monday.
4. GARRIDO GETS THE CALL
The Houston Dynamo will be without Luis Garrido for a few games after the Honduran was called up to his national team’s Gold Cup roster to replace the injured Evar Alvarado. The US roster, meanwhile, features Alejandro Bedoya, who blames his club for the fact that he’s still recovering from a knee injury.
5. CANADA’S QUEST
Canada’s own Gold Cup campaign gets underway on Wednesday, against El Salvador (10:30 pm ET; Fox Sports 2, UniMas, UDN in the US; Sportsnet World/360 in Canada), and Jonothan Osorio is confident when it comes to their chances. It's not all peachy, though. There are 10 MLS players on Benito Floro’s roster, and the Spaniard is not happy about the amount of playing time many are getting. Plus, why did Will Johnson choose to opt out of the tournament?
6. LET THE CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
With the World Cup in the bag, now come the celebrations. The US already added the third star to their jerseys, and head coach Jill Ellis detailed what it took to bring success to the team once again. A push is being made for a ticker tape parade in New York City but, in the meantime, the party starts today in Los Angeles.
7. JONES TARGETS A TITLE
Jermaine Jones has picked up plenty of injuries during his time in MLS, many of which he’s played through. As the New England Revolution Designated Player works his way back to fitness, he’s set his sights on not only reaching the next World Cup, but also taking the Revs all the way to MLS Cup glory.
8. NYCFC SEE POPULARITY GROW
Following the signing of Andrea Pirlo on Monday, NYCFC revealed that they have sold 17,000 season tickets, with a further 1,500 set to be made available as interest in the club continues to grow. Meanwhile, Frank Lampard is ready to make his debut and keen to make a quick start.
9. FREI NOT OUT FOR LONG
Stefan Frei was forced to leave the Seattle Sounders game against D.C. United just before halftime following a nasty collision with Steve Birnbaum. While Sigi Schmid has full confidence in Troy Perkins to fill Frei’s role temporarily, he doesn’t expect his Swiss ‘keeper to be out for long.
10. ORLANDO WON’T APPEAL
After “review and consideration,” Orlando City confirmed they will not be appealing Kaka’s red card. The Brazilian may have another player to speak Portuguese with, however, as Portugal internatinal Rúben Amorim has been linked with the club.
11. MORE TRANSFER TALK IN TEXAS
Another day, another transfer rumor regarding FC Dallas, with the team this time linked to a move for River Plate’s 22-year-old defensive midfielder Adrian Ezequiel Cirigliano.
12. COMPETING FOR CAMPAGNARO?
In more rumor news, it looks like a couple Canadian sides could be competing for a new signing, as both Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact have been linked with out-of-contract Inter Milan defender Hugo Campagnaro.
13. ARE THE UNION BRANCHING OUT?
The Philadelphia Union currently share a USL affiliation with the Harrisburg City Islanders, but reports say they could field very own USL team in the not-so-distance future.
14. WOOD FINDS A HOME
Looks like Bobby Wood has resolved his club future, with the Hawaii-born US international set to stay in Germany after agreeing to join Union Berlin in the 2. Bundesliga.
15. READY TO REFORM?
CONCACAF revealed its comprehensive “Reform Framework” plans on Monday, which include changes to both the governance and management of the regional body in an effort to increase transparency and remove corruption. However, given the organizations recent history, the new initiative still raises plenty of questions.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Did Kaka deserve his straight red vs RSL? | Instant Replay
ExtraTime Radio: Is Dempsey passing the torch? Your Gold Cup preview
Colorado Rapids’ Joseph Greenspan facing challenge of transitioning to new position
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