Kick Off: Kaka ready for 'awesome' week | NYRB wait to examine Lawrence

Greg Seltzer

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

A Lion Returns

Orlando City superstar Kaka says he is more than excited to lace them up for his season bow against guests Portland on Sunday. The former Real Madrid man is also pushing former teammate Iker Casillas to make an MLS move.

Guitar Hero

In our newest "10 Things About …" feature, Portland's Diego Valeri reveals that his favorite off-the-field activities are playing guitar and taking his family for a river boat ride.

U-Turn Lane

Despite the 0-3 start, the Seattle Sounders still believe they can turn the season around.

Some TFC TLC

While his USMNT position is often up for debate, Toronto FC are quite happy with how Michael Bradley handles their business from the defensive midfield slot.

Feeling the Burn

Real Salt Lake are busy figuring out how they can end their recent red card rash.

Waiting To Exhale

Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch is anxiously waiting to find out how bad Kemar Lawrence was injured while playing for Jamaica.

Talent Mill

Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle uses this week's Q&A session to discuss the next wave of MLS academy talent. Meanwhile, there's quite a list of former league standouts now coaching some of these academy players.

Bustos Move

The Vancouver Sun says the locals have a growing crush on Whitecaps hotshot Marco Bustos.

Vive L.A. Difference

The Galaxy's new trio of international stars report that life in Los Angeles is sweet.

Jordan-Esque

Canadian outlet SportsNet has a feature on one of the most reliable MLS performers of the last decade, Vancouver defender Jordan Harvey.

A Wanted Man

Seattle coach Sigi Schmid says the senior national teams from both El Salvador and Guatemala are hovering over the Sounders' US youth international Cristian Roldan.

Tipping Point

Though he admits there's still much work to be done, Sam Stejskal writes that the USMNT's World Cup place was essentially booked by scoring a revenge win over Guatemala on Tuesday.

Movin' On

Costa Rica ace Rodney Wallace has completed his second transfer since hitting Portland's MLS Cup winner in December, moving from Portiguese side Arouca FC to Brazilian top flighters Sport Recife.

8-Bit Eric

As one small part of San Jose's 20th anniversary celebrations, they've put together an old-school animation of the first goal in MLS history – Eric Wynalda's late winner against D.C. United in the league's inaugural match.