ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: As preseason rolls on, can D.C. United raise the bar in CONCACAF Champions League?

Kick Off: As preseason rolls on, can D.C. United raise the bar in CONCACAF Champions League?

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

1. UNITED READY FOR ACTION

D.C. United play their first competitive game of 2015 on Thursday night, kicking off their two-leg quarterfinal in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League. United spent Wednesday getting used to the conditions in Costa Rica ahead of their first-leg clash against Alajuelense (8 pm ET, FOX Sports 2), but there are more than a few reasons beating Alajuelense is a tough task. In another quarterfinal on Wednesday, Club América took down Deportivo Saprissa 3-0.

2. PRESEASON POWERS ON

Wednesday marked another busy day in the MLS preseason with action from the Carolina Challenge Cup, the IMG Suncoast Classic, the Desert Diamond Cup and the Simple Invitational. For full recaps (and highlights) of each game, click here.

3. DEPTH IN GOAL

Ahead of that all-important CONCACAF Champions League clash, D.C. United have confirmed the signing of Travis Worra as the club's third-choice goalkeeper. Orlando City did likewise, bringing in Earl Edwards Jr. to serve behind Donovan Ricketts, Tally Hall and Josh Ford.

4. GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER

The Chicago Fire and the club now known as the New York Red Bulls have shared coaches like Bob Bradley and Juan Carlos Osorio over the years, and new Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch has continued to build his own staff with some of that Chicago influence, adding former Fire great and US national teamer Chris Armas to a staff that already includes former Chicago boss Denis Hamlett.

5. THAT CITY FC CONNECTION

New York City FC appear to have locked in their first loan from Manchester City, with 21-year-old defender Shay Facey reportedly agreeing to a six-month loan deal with NYCFC. A regular with England's youth national teams, Facey has trained throughout the preseason and started at center back in New York City FC's 2-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday.

6. THE NIELSEN RATING

As Sporting Kansas City signed third-round SuperDraft pick James Ansu Rogers, the club is also confident that new goalkeeper Luis Marín can be one of the best in the league; after all, he has the seal of approval from none other than Jimmy Nielsen.

7. STADIUM DEAL WITHDRAWN

Real Salt Lake's USL side, the Real Monarchs, are looking for a new future home after RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen decided to withdraw his offer to build a stadium at the Utah State Fairpark due to stalled legislation that was supposed to develop the area around the stadium. Citing the timing and process involved, Hansen stated, "Not all good ideas come to fruition."

8. COLLIN'S JOB IS CLEAR

After four seasons with Sporting Kansas City, Aurelien Collin found himself moving to Florida as part of Orlando City's inaugural MLS squad. Yet, while the color of the kit and players around him may change, the Frenchman's job remains exactly the same.

9. EARTHQUAKES' TOUGHEST TEST

The San Jose Earthquakes won their fourth preseason game in a row on Wednesday before head coach Dominic Kinnear revealed that the club has waived Pablo Pintos and Kris Tyrpak. Yet as Kinnear continues to preach the value of unity to his new team, their toughest test yet will come against the LA Galaxy at Avaya Stadium's inaugural game this Saturday.

10. BWP FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE

A 2-0 win over Toronto saw the New York Red Bulls advance to the final of the IMG Suncoast Classic on Wednesday and, while the offseason has seen plenty of changes for the Red Bulls, one player who isn't losing any sleep over the moves is MLS' reigning Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips. The team's current MVP insists that those doubting his team simply motivate him to succeed.

11. JEWSBURY'S JOB

During the Portland Timbers 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire, Michael Nanchoff became the latest Timbers player to come down with an injury. However, the team's depth may be up to the challenge posed by injuries to Will Johnson and Ben Zemanski, as former starter Jack Jewsbury has an opportunity to re-establish himself in that position.

12. EL CAPITAN GOES BOOM

Fans in Texas have plenty to get excited about this year, as not only are FC Dallas and the Houston Dynamo looking ahead to promising seasons, but the conference reshuffle means the two sides will face off in the Texas Derby at least three times in 2015.

13. THREE TIMES A CHARM

Looks like Edson Buddle could be heading back to the LA Galaxy for a third spell with the club after Bruce Arena confirmed he was looking to sign the striker following an impressive trial with the defending MLS Cup champions.

14. ROBINSON'S RIVALS

While the Vancouver Whitecaps beat Stabaek 3-2 in the Simple Invitational on Wednesday, the tournament is pitting 'Caps head coach Carl Robinson against two men once favored to land his current job. And while the Whitecaps fine-tune their team, the roster for Whitecaps FC 2 is also starting to come together.

15. NO INTEREST FROM MEXICO

Ventura Alvarado went the full 90 in Club América's CONCACAF Champions League win on Wednesday, and if Jurgen Klinsmann is serious about calling up the dual-national, then it looks like the path is clear, as Mexico manger Miguel Herrera has played down any interest in the defender.

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