MLS 2015 - MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

  

  

Kick Off: Juan Agudelo Returns, Heath Pearce departs and Toronto FC keep on signing players

Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:

1. AGUDELO RETURNS

There’s a familiar face making his way back to the New England Revolution: Juan Agudelo. After stories emerged suggesting a deal was almost done, Agudelo himself confirmed that he has re-joined his former team despite other offers in Europe. Remember when he played in MLS? Here are the highlights.

2. CHANGES AT THE TOP

With just five weeks to go until the start of the 2015 MLS season, New York City FC announced that Tom Glick will be the club’s first president, joining the side from sister club Manchester City. Meanwhile, chief business officer Tom Pernetti will depart for a new job with IMG following the team’s first game.

3. TFC KEEP SIGNING

Another day, another new signing for Toronto FC. On Thursday, the Canadian side acquired French midfielder Benoit Cheyrou. The 33-year-old had been a free agent since October after his contract with French side Olympic Marseille was terminated.

4. MLS LIVE...IS BACK!

If you were wondering how you were going to get your MLS fix in 2015, wonder no more. MLS LIVE is back, and you'll have to act quickly to get hundreds of games at a discounted price.

5. SEEKING SOUNDERS SUCCESS

While new general manager Garth Largerwey outlines what it will take to push the Sounders to their first MLS Cup – and perhaps even a CONCACAF Champions League title – Mexican midfielder Gonzalo Pineda has praised both the Sounders and MLS for revitalizing his career.

6. TIMBERS MAKING PLANS

With Diego Valeri set to miss the opening part of the season, a big part of the Portland Timbers' preseason training will involve working out how to perform without their superstar Designated Player. They’ll get their first test on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City, and for you die-hard fans out there, plans are in the works to stream the game.

7. UNITED 2?

D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper confirmed that the club is close to renewing their USL PRO affiliation with the Richmond Kickers for 2015. However, looking beyond this season,is the club considering their own USL PRO side?

8. WINNING HEARTS AND MINDS

While Armando is nowhere to be seen in preseason training, the New York Red Bulls are reportedly considering a new player/coach role for veteran defender Ibrahim Sekagya. Hear what head coach Jesse Marsch had to say about the club on ExtraTime Radio. Plus, will the latest offseason moves be enough to help sporting director Ali Curtis win over the majority of fans?

9.THE KIDS PLAY ON

It’s been a couple of months now since Chivas USA played their final game in MLS, and although the team may have ceased operations, their highly rated academy continues to exist. Yet with that operation only guaranteed for another six months, what does the future hold for these young players?

10. GRUENEBAUM SWAPS GLOVES FOR A MIC

Just days after Dominic Kinnear made it clear that he wasn’t expecting Andy Gruenebaum to join the San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City announced that their former goalkeeper will be re-joining the team as a color commentator on the club's TV broadcasts this season.

11. 49 MORE REASONS FOR SACRAMENTO

Investors are joining MLS expansion hopefuls Sacramento Republic FC in droves, as just a day after news of the Sacramento Kings' commitment to the team there is word that the owners of the San Francisco 49ers are also buying a stake in the club.

12. PEARCE HEADED TO SWEDEN

He couldn't come to terms with Orlando City, but Heath Pearce found his European destination after all. The well-traveled defender has joined Swedish side IFK Goteborg

13. LASSITER JR.

The LA Galaxy II signed a new prospect on Thursday in the form of Ariel Lassiter, son of former MLS star Roy Lassiter, one of three players who shares the MLS single-season goal record. Lassiter Jr. is also a striker, with Galaxy II head coach Curt Onalfo confident he can become a big star.

14. FAMILIAR FACES FOR PANAMA CLASH

Panama have announced their squad for the game against the US national team on Feb. 8, and there are a few familiar faces for the MLS-heavy American side. Meanwhile, Mexico unveiled their brand new kits for this year’s Gold Cup and Copa America.

15. HYNDMAN SIDELINED

US U20 standout Emerson Hyndman looks set to miss the next six weeks with a broken collarbone. The midfielder suffered the injury in the U-20 World Cup playoff victory over El Salvador, but thankfully for the 18-year-old he should still return in time to represent the US in New Zealand.