ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: MLS releases 2015 season schedule | New York Red Bulls linked with two USMNT players

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Kick Off: MLS releases 2015 season schedule | New York Red Bulls linked with two USMNT players

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

1. THE 2015 CALENDAR IS SET

The full 2015 MLS schedule has been released, including details of televised games and two rivalry weeks. It also includes preliminary dates for the 2015 postseason, confirming that the number of playoff teams is set to rise from 10 to 12 this year.

2. MARSCH'S VISION

With Mike Petke out, the New York Red Bulls wasted no time at all in unveiling Jesse Marsch as the club's new head coach. New sporting director Ali Curtis took full responsibility for the decision to part company with Petke, while Marsch laid out some details of his seven-year plan for the Red Bulls.

3. INCOMING INTERNATIONALS?

The Red Bulls also confirmed that assistant coach Robin Fraser has left the club. While many RBNY fans are unhappy to have lost their most successful coaching duo, being linked withmoves for US internationals Jozy Altidore and Sacha Kljestan might help ease the pain.

4. HOW DOES GERRARD FIT IN?

With Steven Gerrard now officially set to join the LA Galaxy in July, head coach Bruce Arena has admitted that conversations to sign the midfielder had been ongoing since last August. The 2014 MLS Cup-winning coach also talked a bit about how he envisions utilizing his new Designated Player.

5. TIMBERS STILL MAKING MOVES

The Portland Timbers have also been linked with a move for Altidore. And while the Cascadia club could certainly do with another solid goalscorer, in the meantime they have re-signed Gaston Fernandez as well as seemingly finalizing Liam Ridgewell's short-term loan to Wigan Athletic.

6. TFC TARGETING DEFENDER?

Toronto FC, the third MLS club said to be in the running for Altidore, also appear to have an eye on Polish international center back Damien Perquis.

7. UNITED ASSISTANTS DEPART

D.C. United have confirmed that two of their assistant coaches, Preston Burpo and Enzo Concina, have parted ways with the club, with the latter rumored to be taking up the same role with the Montreal Impact. United are also said to be closing in on the signing of an experienced Finnish player.

8. ORLANDO NOT GOING TO BRAZIL...

As they announced a local radio deal for all their games, Orlando City SC have reportedly cancelled their planned preseason trip to Brazil, with head coach Adrian Heath (pictured at right) asserting that the move will help them prepare for their first season in MLS with minimal disruption.

9. ...BRINGING BRAZIL TO THEM INSTEAD

With Orlando City president Philip Rawlins also confirming that the club will be making more player announcements in the coming days, could they be close to the loan signing of an 18-year-old Brazilian prospect?

10. EX-FIRE STAR SHARES STRONG WORDS

The Chicago Fire could be without David Accam for the start of preseason after the newly-signed Designated Player was named to Ghana's squad for the African Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, having just signed for the Montreal Impact, ex-Chicago Fire defender Bakary Soumare sent a parting shot to his former club.

11. CREW SC STILL SHOPPING

It seems Columbus Crew SC might not be done with new signings this winter, as it has emerged that the club may be interested in signing Cedrick Mabwati, a 22-year-old winger currently playing with Spain's CA Osasuna on loan from Real Betis.

12. PETERSON RETURNS TO SKC

Sporting Kansas City have re-signed 28-year-old Jacob Peterson to a new contract, bringing the winger back for a fourth season with the club. Meanwhile, former SKC defender Josh Gardner has joined the Missouri Comets in the Major Indoor Soccer League.

13. CAPTAINING THE KIDS

Having being named captain of the US U-20 squad for the upcoming CONCACAF Championship, FC Dallas' Kellyn Acosta is ready to rise to the challenge. Elsewhere though,why did the Canadian U-20s miss out on their own captain for the tournament?

14. THE CLASS OF 2015

If reports are correct, the field of top options for next week's SuperDraft is soon set to grow as Washington's Cristian Roldan (pictured at right) reportedly became the third player to sign a Generation Adidas contract, and he could be swiftly followed by Syracuse goalkeeper Alex Bono.

15. TRAINING BEGINS FOR YEDLIN

While the Seattle Sounders are reported to have signed Darwyn Jones as the club's fifth Homegrown Player, the side's original HGP, DeAndre Yedlin, has been put through his paces during his first training session with English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, with the London club confirming that Yedlin will wear the No. 12 shirt.

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