ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Familiar faces flock to New York Red Bulls l Bruce Arena looking at the positives in Sweden

Kick Off: Familiar faces flock to New York Red Bulls l Bruce Arena looking at the positives in Sweden

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

1. PRESEASON POSITIVES

There was only one preseason game on Monday, as the LA Galaxy lost 2-1 to Swedish side Hammarby. Despite the result, Bruce Arena was pleased with what he saw from his team. The Montreal Impact take on Cruz Azul again today (10:30am ET) as they continue their CONCACAF Champions League preparations, then tomorrow marks the start of the Desert Diamond Cup.

2. RIDGEWELL RETURNS

As the Portland Timbers step up their preseason preparations, defender Liam Ridgewell is on his way back to the club following the conclusion of his six-week loan. Although the Englishman is sorry to leave Wigan Athletic in the middle of a relegation fight, he's also excited for the upcoming season with the Timbers.

3. GOING ON TRIAL

The New York Red Bulls have released an updated list of trialists currently with the club, and while names like Tim Ward and Mike Grella have survived to the next phase, there's also some new, yet extremely familiar, faces joining the team's training camp.

4. LAMPARD WAS OPEN TO AUSTRALIA

Frank Lampard will join New York City in July, but the English midfielder has suggested that had he not received an offer from NYCFC's sister club Manchester City he would have been more than happy to follow David Villa's example and spend some time with Melbourne City.

5. SECOND-SEASON SUCCESS

Pedro Morales was named the MLS Newcomer of the year in 2014. As the Chilean midfielder enters his second season with the Vancouver Whitecaps, armed with a little more understanding of the league, what can we expect from the fan-favorite Designated Player?

6. PEREZ EXCITED ABOUT DALLAS

As Blas Pérez enters his fourth season with FC Dallas, the Panamanian striker is optimistic about his team's chances this year. It's no surprise he's also embracing his role as a mentor to the youthful side.

7. THE ROAD TO HOUSTON

Chandler Hoffman grew up knowing he wanted to be a soccer player, but how did Hoffman, acquired by the Houston Dynamo in the Re-Entry Draft, go from being a kid with a dream in Alabama to playing in MLS?

8. PROVING THEM RIGHT

There was a time when Sidney Rivera's future as a soccer player looked in serious doubt. But after being taken in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft, Rivera is determined to show Orlando City that they made the right choice. Meanwhile, should the Lions choose to keep him, what would Sean St. Ledger bring to the team?

9. THE FAMOUS FEW

From his time as an MLS coach to his run with the US national team and, of course, not forgetting his work with the Egyptian national team, Bob Bradley's place in the US Soccer Hall of Fame honors his lasting legacy. Sam for Brian McBride, and it's worth checking out his moving speech from the event.

10. FUTURE CALL-UP?

Could Ventura Alvarado be heading for a US national team call-up? The 22-year-old Club America defender is currently enjoying a strong season with the Liga MX side, and it seems a national team scout was in attendance to watch his team's latest win.

11. KITS AND GIGGLES

Whether we like the designs or not, we all enjoy a good kit release and Nike unveiled the brand new US away kits on Monday. For that matter, so too did Chicago Fire USL affiliates Saint Louis FC. In other kit-related news, have the San Jose Earthquakes found a sponsor for their jerseys this year?

12. CALM IN CANADA?

Canada have reportedly scheduled a friendly against Guatemala in March. Is everything progressing as planned for our neighbors to the north, or are there reasons to be concerned?

13. GREEN SET FOR TALKS?

While it's perhaps a good idea to just wait and see what happens in this case, Julian Green's future at Hamburg isn't looking good, with the 19-year-old US international reportedly set to meet with the German team's management after refusing to play for their U23s.

14. ADU STILL FOCUSED ON SOCCER

After hosting a night at a Washington D.C nightclub, Freddy Adu has been claiming headlines for all the wrong reasons after some mistook this to mean he was now a nightclub promoter. However, Adu moved to dismiss the reports, saying his "focus is on soccer 100 percent."

15. THE STORY OF THE ARMADILLO

D.C. United may have won the coolest prize available this preseason, but where did the Armadillo trophy come from?

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