Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
All-Star announced
On Tuesday, Major League Soccer announced that Chicago's Soldier Field will host the 2017 All-Star Game. Enhancing the local flavor of the event, Fire boss Veljko Paunovic will serve as the MLS coach. As for the opponent, reports are already swirling about potential candidates.
Expansion bonanza
In all, 12 cities beat Tuesday's deadline for expansion team application submissions. And there's one city that's already hoping that expansion continues after MLS reaches 28 teams: Louisville is saying that they want to work toward a "bid in the future."
Star search
The LA Galaxy added a new Designated Player on Tuesday, grabbing winger Romain Alessandrini from Marseille. And if you don't know much about the skilled Frenchman, we're here to help get you acquainted.
Union do's
Philly Union GM Earnie Stewart has strengthened his squad by landing Bosnia midfielder Haris Medunjanin from Maccabi Tel Aviv. He may not be done, as Vavel scribe Jonny Walsh reports that US forward Fafa Picault is now a medical away from joining.
Lookin' good!
Local blog Sounder At Heart has been able to watch Clint Dempsey work in training, and reports that the Seattle star is looking like his old self.
Ouch!
FC Dallas midfielder Victor Ulloa will spend a month on the shelf due to a sports hernia setback.
Flying United
South American journalist Emmanuel Quispe has reported that Torino striker Josef Martinez is on his way to seal an Atlanta United move in an interesting way: he tweeted a photo of the player on a plane reportedly headed for America. Meanwhile, Chilean paper Publi Metro says free agent midfielder Carlos Carmona has also opted to join Atlanta.
Loyd laid up
Sticking with Atlanta, veteran defender Zach Loyd will miss 2-3 weeks of preseason camp nursing a groin injury.
Cleared path
With Darmstadt picking up a replacement on Europe's transfer deadline day, Florian Jungwirth has been released from his contract so he can reportedly complete a move to San Jose.
Red bulletins
Danish side Hobro have terminated the loan of Red Bulls forward Anatole Abang, sending him back to New York for now. Meanwhile, the club has signed one of his compatriots, Cameroon Under-20 defender Hassan Ndam.
Tennessee pride
On Friday, the US national team will aim to close out their first camp of 2017 with a win over friendly visitors Jamaica in Chattanooga (7 pm ET on FS1, UniMás, UDN).
Quick change artist
In two years, LA Galaxy midfielder Sebastian Lletget has gone a long way from West Ham washout to US international.
Line items
The Stars and Stripes blog attempts to break down the USMNT's goalkeeping situation with World Cup qualifying set to resume in March.
Getting ready
US Under-20 coach Tab Ramos has called 13 MLS players into their final camp before World Cup qualifying.
Deadline moves
A pair of Americans made European transfer deadline-day switches on Tuesday, with US attacker Rubio Rubin moving from FC Utrecht to Danish side Silkeborg. Also, Gboly Ariyibi has jumped up one level, joining countryman Eric Lichaj at Nottingham Forest.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
Watch: The Top 5 goals in All-Star Game history
Sign up for the MLS All-Star Game tickets pre-sale list
A look back at some of the big matches played in Chicago
