ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Orlando City promise more big signings

Forward To A Friend

Kick Off: Orlando City promise more big signings | DeAndre Yedlin secures UK work permit

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

1. PURPLE POWER

Brek Shea is back in MLS. The former FC Dallas player signed for Orlando City and was unveiled to the media on Friday. So keen were Orlando City to acquire Shea that the Lions made a deal with New York City FC to ensure they could sign him. It also seems Orlando expect to add more players very soon.

2. OPENING UP IN 2015

The 2015 home openers are out for each MLS team and they include a whole host of tasty nationally televised mathes. The first game of the season will see the LA Galaxy host the Chicago Fire on Friday, March 6, on UniMas, while Sunday, March 8, will feature a triple-header, starting with Orlando City-New York City FC (5 pm ET on ESPN2), Sporting KC-New York Red Bulls (7 pm ET on FOX Sports 1), and Seattle Sounders-New England Revolution (9:30 pm ET on FOX Sports 1).

3. YOU GOT A PERMIT FOR THAT?

DeAndre Yedlin is expected to join Tottenham Hotspur in January after the US international was granted his work permit, eliminating the last barrier stopping the Seattle Sounders player from joining the English Premier League side. Another MLS youngster could also be on the move, as Chivas de Guadalajara have revealed interest in buying Real Salt Lake center back Carlos Salcedo.

4. ACCAM JOINS THE FIRE

The short-lived, will-he-won't-he transfer saga of David Accam is over after the Chicago Fire announced the signing of the Ghanaian striker on Friday. Accam joins Chicago on a multi-year deal from Swedish side Helsingborg and will occupy a Designated Player slot.

5. HAVE THE RED BULLS GOT THEIR MAN?

Reports out of New York indicate that the New York Red Bulls have found their replacement for outgoing sporting director Andy Roxburgh: Ali Curtis, a former MLS player and current senior director of player relations and competition with the league office.

6. LOPEZ RETURNS TO THE RAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids announced another key backroom addition, with former player Claudio Lopez set to return to the club as their new technical director. Lopez played for the Rapids in 2010, a year which ended with the Rapids lifting the MLS Cup.

7. MIX-ED MESSAGES

Turns out that talk of Mix Diskerud heading to Mexico may have been premature, with the US international declining to reveal where his future may lie. However, Diskerud is in a better position than onetime phenom Freddy Adu, who is now reportedly facing the sack from Serbian team FK Jagodina.

8. PLANNING TRIPS

Preseason plans continue to take shape for a number of MLS sides, as the Austin Aztex of USL PRO have announced they will host D.C. United, FC Dallas, and their MLS affiliate, Columbus Crew SC, for the ATX Pro Challenge in mid-February. The Philadelphia Union, meanwhile, will head to Florida for their own training camp.

9. GALAXY LOOK TO A LEGACY

The LA Galaxy's own preseason plans will see Robbie Keane's side head home to Ireland to take on Shamrock Rovers. But are the MLS champions also hoping to cultivate a future record goalscorer? Roy Lassiter is one of three men to currently hold the single season goals record in MLS, and reports suggest that LA Galaxy II have signed Lassiter's son, 20-year-old forward Ariel Lassiter.

10. HUTCHINSON OPEN TO CANADA MOVE

Having just been been named Canada Soccer's Player of the Year for the third time in his career, Atiba Hutchinson has admitted that, while he hopes to stay with Turkish side Besiktas, he would be open to other offers come January. Does that include MLS? "Yes, especially if it was in Canada. I'm open to it if the interest comes."

11. DONEIL HENRY TO EPL?

Toronto FC sold Doneil Henry to Cypriot side Apollon Limassol last January, but the Canadian international might not play a single game in Cyprus. News out of England has Premier League club West Ham United keen to sign the defender. Elsewhere in Canada, have the Vancouver Whitecaps found a new striker?

12. MIDWESTERN MATTERS

While St. Louis will have a team in USL PRO next season, if the NFL's St. Louis Rams build a new stadium, could it also play home to a future MLS side? Further north, there are plans underway to bring a USL PRO team to Detroit. Here are more details about a potential new stadium in the Motor City.

13. US NATIONAL TEAMS IN ACTION

The US Under-20 national team finished their CONCACAF Championship preparations in the best way possible, sweeping their series against Honduras with a second 2-1 win. The US women's national team, on the other hand, finished in second place in the Brasilia International Tournament after tying Brazil in the final game.

14. HOWARD SEES LAMPARD'S DILEMMA

There's no doubt that Frank Lampard will be important for New York City FC, and former US international goalkeeper Tim Howard declared that the clubs and Lampard face a tricky situation, something that could affect the keeper's own team, Everton, who play City on Jan. 10.

15. CAMILO INJURY

He may be out of MLS, but fans obviously still care about former Budweiser Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo. Bad news befell him over the weekend, though, as the Queretaro marksman suffered a tear of his ACL in a friendly vs. Irapuato.

MLSsoccer.com Musts

Despite losing depth, D.C. United happy to keep key contributors

Houston Dynamo feel new additions will improve the team's depth

Cruz Azul fall to Auckland City in Club World Cup third-place playoff