Kick Off: Stefan Frei close to return | MLS trio in for USMNT's Johannsson?

Aron Johannsson - USA - EMBED ONLY

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:


Kamara hopes to spark Revolution


Back to scoring for fun this preseason, New England strike ace Kei Kamara is aiming to lift the Revolution back into the postseason following a painful near-miss in 2016. READ MORE


Speaking of the Revs, local blog The Bent Musket has filed 10 observations from their preseason play to date. READ MORE


Happy returns for former MLSers?


With former Seattle Sounders star Fredy Montero reportedly on his way back to MLS, Ben Couch is wondering who else could resume their MLS career after leaving the league in recent years. READ MORE


Onewyu inking Union news


With Joshua Yaro out for a few months, it appears that Oguchi Onyewu is at the heart of the battle for minutes in Philadelphia center back stable. READ MORE


Our man Gooch isn't really one for ink, though, so he probably has little to do with the entertaining fact that the Union have now created a Chief Tattoo Officer position in the club. READ MORE


Rumors: MLS eye on USMNT's Aron Johannsson


Soccer Italia claims that Colorado, the Red Bulls and Vancouver are ready to lock horns over Werder Bremen's US forward Aron Johannsson. READ MORE


Analyst's (roster) notes


Our Matt Doyle has provided another update to his overview on the offseason maneuvers of all 22 MLS clubs. READ MORE


The latest acquisition consideration went down on Tuesday, as Columbus Crew SC added a new midfielder, grabbing Artur on loan from Sao Paulo. READ MORE


Frei close to full return for Sounders


Seattle netminder Stefan Frei told local blog Sounder At Heart that he's close to returning from an ankle injury picked up at US national team camp last month. READ MORE


His new Sounders teammate, Gustav Svensson, says he's eager to do battle in MLS, which contains a more physical game than he's been accustomed to in Sweden and China. READ MORE


In Toronto's defense …


Toronto FC are banking on a healthy boost to their defensive ranks from new addition Chris Mavinga. READ MORE


His new stable mate Eriq Zavaleta, a former US youth standout, is pondering a FIFA switch so that he can turn out for El Salvador at the international level. READ MORE


USMNT: Who should start at left back?


With more time to process the recent January camp, Matt Doyle revised a previous analysis of the US national team's left-back depth chart, arguing that Fabian Johnson should start there when World Cup qualifying resumes in March. READ MORE


Meanwhile, US Soccer has hired a sports scientist away from the EPL, placing James Bunce in charge of performance development across all age levels. READ MORE


Valentine's Day: Still time for #SoccerGrams!


If you're still looking to perk up the package to a soccer-mad special someone, you can create a #SoccerGrams valentine and send it their way! MAKE YOUR OWN


Wynalda the Cup slayer returneth


Eric Wynalda, the architect of some major US Open Cup upsets while in charge with the Atlanta Silverbacks and Cal FC, is back to claim more big league scalps after taking the head coach job with fourth flight LA Wolves. READ MORE


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