Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. USMNT PREP FOR COLOMBIA FRIENDLY
The US national team continued their preparations for Friday’s friendly against Colombia (2:45 pm ET, ESPN and UniMas) with a training session in Tottenham Hotspur’s indoor training facility. USMNT vet Alejandro Bedoya is enjoying more freedom than ever on the field, and the match against los Cafeteros holds special significance.
2. FRIEDEL: STAY IN UNITED STATES, KIDS
Things have changed a great deal since Brad Friedel left for Europe in the mid '90s, and the former US international believes that American players no longer need to follow his path as they can develop just fine in MLS. However, if there’s one area he does feel needs to improve stateside, it’s the coaching structure.
3. REMEMBERING THE COTTAGE
The US national team have plenty of links with Craven Cottage, site of the Colombia friendly. Fulham FC’s stadium has been home to a range of USMNT stars like Clint Dempsey, Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride, and several of them reflected on their experiences at the Cottage.
4.
VELA’S BACK!
Staying on the international beat, Mexico posted a 3-2 friendly win over the Netherlands on Wednesday, as Carlos Vela scored twice in his first appearance for El Tri in three years. That’s certainly one way to make a comeback. Does Vela's return make El Tri favorites for next year’s Gold Cup?
5. U-20S ENJOY SUCCESS
At the youth levels, both the US and Canada’s Under-20 teams enjoyed a good day on Wednesday. The Yanks secured a 4-3 win over Russia’s U-21s thanks to a brace from the Columbus Crew SC’s Romain Gall, while Canada twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against England’s U-20s, with Toronto FC’s Jordan Hamilton scoring Canada’s second.
6. CANADIAN CATCHUP
The Canadian national team squad is currently training in Orlando ahead of their game against Panama. Veteran Dwayne De Rosario says a result in Panama City will "help better our ranking situation."
7. OCCEAN APART
A player not in the current Canadian squad, striker Olivier Occean, is in need of a new club now after being released by German side Kaiserslautern.
8. ORLANDO STILL SEARCHING
Are Orlando City SC in the market for another goalkeeper? With Tally Hall set to miss the start of next season through injury, reports have the Lions linked with English ‘keeper Jack Butland. Meanwhile, head coach Adrian Heath must decide what formation and style the side will have in MLS.
9. NYC FC TO REVEAL JERSEY
Get ready, Big Apple. On Thursday morning, New York City FC will unveil its 2015 MLS jersey at an event in New York. David Villa will be there, and you can watch a live stream on NYCFC.com at 11 am ET.
10. BRUNNER RETIRES
Houston Dynamo center back Eric Brunner announced his retirement on Wednesday. Just 28, Brunner made 103 regular-season appearances over seven seasons with four clubs. He struggled with injuries this year, making only six appearances.
11. MORE NEW ARRIVALS FOR THE UNION?
With his interim tag removed, Jim Curtin can focus on improving the Philadelphia Union for next season. It seems he plans to add a top-quality striker. Meanwhile, the Union will make a “major announcement” on Friday morning, amid reports that former Fulham coach Rene Meulensteen could be in line for a gig with the club.
- EJ SIMPLY WASN’T WELL
While Fabian Espindola and Chris Rolfe were arguably the stronger starting pair anyway, according to D.C. United’s Eddie Johnson, part of the reason he didn’t start in the Eastern Conference Semifinal second leg vs. New York was because he was dehydrated and spent time in the hospital late in the week.
13. A VERY GOOD YEAR IN SALT LAKE
Real Salt Lake may have been taken apart in the second leg of their Conference Semifinal vs. the LA Galaxy, but how do they feel about 2014 over all? And heading into 2015, with the arrival of the Real Monarchs USL PRO club, there’s plenty to look forward to about extending RSL’s "winning culture."
14. SOUNDERS ON SCRIPT
The LA Galaxy will look for revenge when they face the Seattle Sounders in the Western Conference Championship. But with Osvaldo Alonso expected to be fit again the Sounders feel they can just stick to their own script. The Sounders also announced that they will make a “special announcement” on Thursday.
15. GOALS OF THE YEAR
The AT&T MLS Goal of the Year competition has reached the semifinal stage, and Mexico goalkeeper Memo Ochoa is politicking for a certain San Jose player. Meanwhile, FIFA has revealed the 10 goals nominated for this year’s Puskas Award, including Tim Cahill’s strike for Australia during the World Cup and Camilo Sanvezzo's fantastic volley for Vancouver Whitecaps that was named the 2013 AT&T MLS Goal of the Year.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
March to the Match: How Lee Nguyen should fit in for the USMNT
What is the longest wait for a US national team call up?
Goal of the Year & Save of the Year: Vote for your finalist
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