Kick Off: USMNT camp ramps up for Czech clash | No move for Defoe as Toronto FC stand their ground

News  |  Videos  |  Schedule & Stats  |  Clubs  |  Fantasy  |  Shop Forward To A Friend Kick Off: USMNT camp ramps up for Czech clash | No move for Defoe as Toronto FC stand their ground Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning: 1. HAMBURG GO GREEN Julian Green officially completed his season-long loan move from Bayern Munich to Hamburg on Monday, with the US international, currently with the national team in Prague, stating that “Hamburg is the perfect team for me, I think.” 2. PREPARING IN PRAGUE As mentioned, the US national team is in Prague preparing for their game against the Czech Republic on Wednesday. While there are a number of stories to follow and debutants to keep track of, Tim Ream in particular is determined to make the most of his latest opportunity. 3. FIRST TIME FOR GARZA Greg Garza, on the other hand, is attending his first US camp, fulfilling a lifelong dream for the Club Tijuana left back. However, when Garza returns to his Liga MX side at the end of the week, he’ll find a new head coach waiting to meet him. 4. THREAT LEVEL Jozy Altidore is also in the US camp, and with no late dramatics on transfer deadline day, the striker is completely free to focus on the upcoming match. However, Altidore is taking nothing for granted when it comes to this game. 5. THE FUTURE OF THE FUTURE It’s not just the senior national team getting down to business, though, as the US U-20’s began their own camp in Argentina on Monday. Despite a few late changes to the squad, Tab Ramos has been explaining exactly how and why he selected his players. 6. NO MOVE FOR DEFOE The European transfer window has now shut and, after an entire day of speculation, it turns out Jermain Defoe isn’t going anywhere after all. MLSE President Tim Leiweke confirmed that while the club had multiple offers for the Englishman, but “we’re not interested in him going anywhere.” 7. ADDED EXPERIENCE? With the removal of Ryan Nelsen as TFC head coach, some argue that the coach’s downfall had as much to do with the staff he surrounded himself with as his own performance. Will his removal lead to clubs looking for more experienced coaches in the future? 8. IMPACT GOING PRO? Could the Montreal Impact be going the same way as the Vancouver Whitecaps and starting their own USL PRO team? According to one report, that is exactly what they’re doing, with team owner Joey Saputo making the announcement on Thursday. 9. PAPPA GETS THE CALL The Seattle Sounders will have to make do without Marco Pappa for a couple of games, including an important one against Real Salt Lake, as the midfielder has been called into the Guatemalan squad for the Copa Centroamericana. The full rosters for each nation competing can be found here. 10. OBA’S OUTLOOK Now in his second season with the Seattle Sounders, Obafemi Martins has really started to show fans what he can do. So why did he take so long to get settled? The Nigerian striker talks about that, his partnership with Clint Dempsey and the growth of MLS in an interview with FIFA.com 11. KAMARA FORCED TO WAIT While Kei Kamara may be a free agent right now, don’t expect to see him in MLS this season, as Sporting Kansas City boss Peter Vermes confirmed that, due to the timing of his contract termination, the forward is not eligible to play in MLS until 2015. However, it seems SKC might be prepared to wait. 12. STRENGTH IN NUMBERS In the meantime, Sporting Kansas City will be looking to avoid three defeats in a row when they take on the New England Revolution this Wednesday. The club has recalled Jimmy Medranda from his loan with Oklahoma City Energy to provide some extra options. 13. HALA HERNANDEZ Mexican forward Javier Hernández saw his dreams come true on Monday when, having been relegated to a bench role for Manchester United, the striker completed a year-long loan move to Real Madrid. Will Chicharito get any more playing time with the Spanish Champions League winners? Former Mexico star Hugo Sanchez believes he will. 14. ALVAREZ RETIRES Orlando City are closing in on another USL PRO regular season title following a 7-0 destruction of the Dayton Dutch Lions at the weekend. However, Yordany Alvarez won’t play any part in that final run after the former Real Salt Lake midfielder announced his retirement on Friday, citing undisclosed medical reasons. Orlando City have expressed their support for their now-former player’s decision. 15. CHASING A RECORD The LA Galaxy made second place in the Western Conference their own on Sunday afternoon following a complete performance against Chivas USA. As Landon Donovan perhaps sets his sights on one last MLS record before he retires, are the Galaxy the scariest team in MLS right now? MLSsoccer.com Musts Have the Rapids unearthed another top prospect in GK Joe Nasco? MLS on Campus: All you need to know from week 1 of the college season MLS Fantasy: Donovan leads the way in Round 26