Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
USMNT's Friday Friendly
United States manager Bruce Arena has promised new looks in midfield and on the front line for Friday night's friendly with Jamaica (7pm ET | FS1, UniMás, UDN). In a wide-ranging Q&A session with ESPN, the USMNT boss also admitted that he would have called Sporting KC strike Dom Dwyer into January camp had he been fit.
Weighing Expansion
On Thursday, MLS president Mark Abbott stopped by Extra Time Radio to discuss the heavily-populated expansion field. Among the topics covered was his expectation that a meeting between Sacramento's two rival expansion groups will produce a unified effort for the city.
Three signings, finally official
Three rumored signings came to fruition on Thursday, headlined by Atlanta United's Designated Player capture of Torino forward Josef Martinez (you can get acquainted with his skills in our scouting report). Not to be outdone, Portland unveiled a DP of their own in San Lorenzo winger Sebastian Blanco. Elsewhere, Philadelphia clinched the acquisition of USMNT attacker Fafa Picault.
'Quakes keep 'em coming
The San Jose Earthquakes continued rumbling toward the new season by announcing the expected signings of forward Danny Hoesen and Florian Jungwirth on Thursday. Friday morning, they announced a deal landing a key target, Lucern's Albania winger Jahmir Hyka.
Lennon returns to RSL roots
In his weekly MLS Notebook, Sam Stejskal reports that Real Salt Lake are putting the finishing touches on a deal to land Liverpool attack prospect (and RSL Academy product) Brooks Lennon on a season-long loan.
Tosaint & TFC
Toronto FC forward Tosaint Ricketts has inked a new contract with the MLS Cup runners-up.
'Caps doffed in Wales
Alphonso Davies and Kekuta Manneh were the stars of the show as Vancouver scored a 4-0 victory over Bristol City's Under-23 side to end their preseason UK trip. This season, the Whitecaps are determined to kick the young Davies' development into high gear.
High-octane NYCFC getting defensive?
New York City FC kicked off their preseason slate with a 9-0 schooling of Jacksonville University that compelled their official website's editor to list five things learned from the win. Meanwhile, Belgian paper Het Nieuwsblad reports that Anderlecht are willing to allow midfielder Stephane Badji to join NYCFC on loan.
Harkes on staying home
In an interview with The Score, D.C. United Homegrown signing Ian Harkes says his European suitors never stood a chance once the capital crew came in for him.
Matt Doyle: In on MNUFC
The Armchair Analyst says MLS observers should not write off well-balanced expansion side Minnesota United FC just because they haven't been making splashy signings.
Oyongo going for AFCON gold
Montreal's Ambroise Oyongo looks set to become the first active MLS player to feature in an Africa Cup of Nations final after he helped Cameroon defeat Ghana 2-0 in Thursday's second semifinal.
Ex-Columbus Expat
Former Crew SC striker Aaron Schoenfeld has made another move up the Ligat Ha'al food chain, joining Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv from cellar dwellers Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Free riding in LA
The LA Galaxy have teamed up with Long Beach Transit to ease StubHub Center traffic by providing two free area shuttles for fans headed to home games.
Song for your squad
Arielle Castillo has come up with an offseason theme song playlist for each MLS club.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
MLS Live: New Year, new platform!
Carl Robinson's' best decsion
MLS Fantasy: The scoring system
