Morris-to-Seattle official, now what? | Preseason begins | Hamid out 4-6 months

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

JORDAN FROM THE BLOCK

Now that Seattle has inked local boy Jordan Morris to a Homegrown player contract, our Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle goes over what that might mean once the Sounders take the field.

PRESEASON BEGINS

It seems like MLS Cup was just yesterday – they're still celebrating in Portland! – but preseason begins on Friday with 10 teams reporting to camp. Also be sure to check out the full preseason schedule.

GO WEST, YOUNG MEN

In the aftermath of Morris choosing Seattle over a move to Werder Bremen, veteran Galaxy star Steven Gerrard and NYCFC counterpart Frank Lampard agree that more young internationals should give MLS a run to aid their development.

VIEIRA SPEAKS

Lampard's new boss, recently unveiled New York City FC head coach Patrick Vieira, has warned his star-studded side that talent isn't enough to get the job done. Tangentially piggy-backing on that sentiment, sporting director Claudio Reyna insists fans have yet to see the best of playmakers Mix Diskerud and Kwadwo Poku. Meanwhile, the club are reportedly chasing defender Fredric Brillant of Belgian Jupiler League surprise package Oostende.

EARNIE'S BIG PLAY

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Dave Zeitlin's feature on new Union sporting director Earnie Stewart, who's bringing "Moneyball" to Philly. Then, go relive higlights from his two seasons playing in MLS.

BILL OF HEALTH

The diagnosis is not so good for D.C. United netminder Bill Hamid, who is set to miss 4-6 months while recovering from knee surgery.

LUIS-ENING THE PURSE STRINGS

Accoding to Big Apple Soccer, reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Luis Robles is about to be rewarded with an improved and extended contract.

KEANE ON IMPROVEMENT

With the Galaxy having added a few strong offseason signings and others reportedly on the way, Galaxy striker Robbie Keane admits the roster needed a good shake-up.

REPORT: PERU SCOUTING FARRELL

New England defender Andrew Farrell, who has been ignored by the US national team set-up thus far, is reportedly being sought for a sitdown by Peru boss Ricardo Gareca.

RSL NEWS

Recent Real Salt Lake returnee Yura Movsisyan says he hasn't left his goals back in Russia. Meanwhile, the Claret & Cobalt has added a new recruit: midfielder Sunny Obayan.

GRUEZO TO DALLAS?

German reports have FC Dallas in for Stuttgart midfielder Carlos Gruezo, who appeared in a couple matches at the 2014 World Cup for Ecuador.

EXPANSION TALK

As former LA Galaxy superstar Landon Donovan talks up Las Vegas' potential for an MLS club, Sports Illustrated scribe Grant Wahl discusses the momentum for a St. Louis entry.

YOUNG AMERICANS

Speaking of SI, they've published a feature on rising Borussia Dortmund prodigy Christian Pulisic, who has joined the first team at the tender age of 17. Elsewhere, bigger things are expected from Sunderland attack prospect Lynden Gooch during his one-month loan to League One side Doncaster.