Kick Off: Dominic Kinnear coaches last home game for Houston Dynamo tonight on ESPN2

News  |  Videos  |  Schedule & Stats  |  Clubs  |  Fantasy  |  Shop Forward To A Friend Kick Off: Dominic Kinnear coaches last home game for Houston Dynamo tonight on ESPN2 Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning: 1. THE PRODIGAL SON It’s official: Dominic Kinnear will be returning to the San Jose Earthquakes at the end of this season with current head coach Mark Watson and assistant Nick Dasovic being relieved of their duties effective immediately. For the Quakes, they knew they had to make a move for the “best possible coach” while according to Kinnear, “It felt like the time was right” as he departs the Houston Dynamo. 2. FOND FAREWELL The news out of Houston means that the Dynamo’s game against the New England Revolution tonight (8 pm ET, ESPN2, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes, TSN2 in Canada) will mark Dominic Kinnear’s final home game as head coach of the Dynamo. Looking back, Kinnear – the only coach the club has ever had – is pleased with his legacy. However, the New England Revolution will be looking to spoil the coach’s farewell  as they eye a top-three finish in the Eastern Conference. 3. GROUNDBREAKING IN ORLANDO Thursday is a special day in Orlando. The new MLS expansion side, Orlando City SC, will celebrate their stadium groundbreaking with supporters in an event kicking at 5:30 pm ET. Won't be in town to see it? No sweat: Check Instagram for the hashtag #WeDigPurple and you'll catch everything you missed. 4. TEN THOUSAND STRONG Meanwhile, the other 2015 MLS expansion team had some big news. Although tickets have only been available for a few months, New York City FC have already sold more than 10,000 season tickets for their inaugural campaign. 5. MLS COMMISSIONER RESPONDS TO KLINSMANN MLS commissioner Don Garber has responded to recent comments made by USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann regarding the form of some of his top players who ply their trade in MLS, making it clear that he thinks Klinsmann's words are "not only are they detrimental, I think they’re wrong." 6. CLOSE CALL FOR THE USWNT The US women’s national team got their CONCACAF Championship campaign off to a just-good-enough start with a 1-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago (HIGHLIGHTS) who, in a way, are the most well-supported team in the tournament. Despite the victory, the USA’s performance left much to be desired. 7. BESLER DAY-TO-DAY Staying in Kansas City, Sporting KC have successfully qualified for the playoffs yet again, but with the club still looking to finish in the top three and avoid the Knockout Round, Matt Besler is a doubt for the weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Union because of what happened while playing in Tuesday's US friendly against Honduras. 8. NEW CREW ADD MORE LOCAL TALENT Having trained with the Columbus Crew for quite some time, Ben Swanson will be officially unveiled as the Ohio club's latest Homegrown Player Thursday at a press event set for 6 pm ET. While the 17-year-old will not be eligible to play until next season, there are already several options for Swanson's role in 2015. 9. BECOMING A SOCCER CLUB It’s been more than a week now since the Columbus Crew announced their rebrand, and one of the more overlooked aspects has been the Crew's explicit designation as a ‘Soccer Club,’ joining the Chicago Fire and Orlando City as teams using that title in their official name. One writer sounds off on what led the Crew to that decision and his opinion on those who go Euro-snob on the sport's terminology. 10. INFLUENTIAL WHITECAPS With the Vancouver Whitecaps still playing for their place in the playoffs, the Canadian side could welcome back Gershon Koffie for their big game against the Earthquakes. Kendall Waston will not be able to play, though, as he’s already earned a suspension for yellow-card accumulation despite only playing nine MLS games. But even when he returns, Carl Robinson has no plans to rein in his new star defender. 11. ALL ABOUT THE KIDS The Seattle Sounders recently announced the formation of their own USL PRO team but, while Sounders 2 may very well take that league by storm, Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid has stated that isn’t the new team’s primary goal. Instead, the club will hope to produce more players like DeAndre Yedlin, speaking of which: Who will replace the young star right back when he leaves? 12. FAN GRAB With New York City FC’s debut season almost here, do this season’s playoffs offer the New York Red Bulls one last chance to grab as many fans as they can before their future rivals arrive? Whatever happens, this report suggests the club is planning a change at the top. 13. SAYING GOODBYE As we continue to celebrate Landon Donovan’s final games (check out the latest in a series of #LegenD videos here), let’s not forget that Logan Pause is also among those retiring. Montreal's Marco Di Vaio is another one calling time on his career, and it seems we may soon learn of his plans for the immediate future, as the 38-year-old has made a sudden trip to Italy (don’t worry, he’ll be back for Saturday's match against Toronto FC). 14. HOLDING ONTO HOPE With Jermaine Jones playing at center back for the US on Tuesday, Jurgen Klinsmann is clearly looking at all options for the 2018 World Cup cycle. Thanks to upcoming games in Europe, 30-year-old, Houston-born Derby County defender Zak Whitbread is still holding out hope of earning a call-up. 15. MARQUEZ STILL GOING STRONG Mexico’s Rafa Marquez recently became the first player to captain his country at four World Cups, but could he become the first to captain a country at five? It seems the 35-year-old isn’t planning on retiring anytime soon and has stated, “I can still compete for a spot on the national team and I want to.” MLSsoccer.com Musts March to the Match: Why the Whitecaps should make the playoffs Armchair Analyst: Kinnear’s return is a big move for the Quakes MLS Fantasy: 5 things you must know