| Kick Off: United States U-20s land favorable World Cup draw | NYCFC set to stream first preseason test Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning: 1. GROUP OF HOPE? The draw for the U20 World Cup took place late on Monday evening, and the US have been handed a relatively kind group, placed alongside host side New Zealand as well as Ukraine and Myanmar. 2. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS While the US Soccer Federation deserves plaudits for reportedly backing a rival candidate in the upcoming FIFA elections, why have they chosen to stand up now, and what could be some of the ramifications if/when Sepp Blatter wins a fifth term? 3. THE REPLACEMENT The Philadelphia Union wasted no time at all in replacing Carlos Valdes, bringing in Steven Vitoria from Portuguese side Benfica on a year-long loan. While Vitoria has played his whole career in Portugal, the defender was born and raised in Canada and could well have found himself joining the Vancouver Whitecaps one day. 4. JONES SIDELINED This won’t be welcome news to New England Revolution fans but Jermaine Jones looks set to be sidelined for at least a couple of weeks after the club confirmed that their Designated Player is set to undergo surgery on a sports hernia this Tuesday. An estimated timetable for his return has not yet been announced. 5. EXTENDED ABSENCES Following news of Osvaldo Alonso’s recent surgery, Sigi Schmid suggested that the midfielder may not be ready for the start of the new season. The same seems to be true for D.C. United’s Eddie Johnson, with head coach Ben Olsen providing injury updates on a number of his players. 6. HALF WAY THERE As Orlando City get closer to their MLS debut, the club is exploring some last-gasp centerback options before finalizing their squad. That first competitive game is already looking to be a big one as well, with the club declaring that they’ve sold 30,000 tickets as they attempt to #FillTheBowl. 7. SPONSORED MESSAGES The San Jose Earthquakes announced that season ticket sales have now surpassed 11,000 for their inaugural season at Avaya Stadium. Yet, while the stadium may have a naming partner, the club is still on the hunt for their new jersey sponsor, as indeed are Toronto FC. 8. OPTIONS UP TOP Chicago Fire Designated Player Mike Magee is hoping to put his injuries behind him in 2015 and force his way back into the team. To do that, though, he might have to displace Harrison Shipp, who had a breakout year in 2014 and is hoping for more of the same this time around. 9. SWEAT IT OUT A year ago Ben Sweat was Columbus Crew SC’s first-round selection in the SuperDraft. Now, following a number of new acquisitions and the subsequent prospect of limited playing time, Sweat has been waived by the club. 10. GETTING IT RIGHT Despite some setbacks, David Beckham is still confident in his plans for an MLS franchise in Miami: “We’ll get it right.” Meanwhile the odds seem to be stacking against Las Vegas in their own quest to secure an MLS team. 11. NEW YORK CITY TAKE TO THE FIELD As New York City get set for their first preseason game today against Scottish side St. Mirren (which you can stream live right here), the team took a tour of sister side Manchester City’s impressive facilities. Back home, the club has announced unprecedented plans for its very own youth development league. 12. THE SECOND ACT The New York Red Bulls youth development plan is also coming together, with the club announcing the name of its new USL PRO side which, following the trend among MLS sides, has been named the New York Red Bulls II, although the team nearly had a very different name. Meanwhile, USL PRO made some news of its own today. 13. PARTNER UP It’s been in the works for a while, but on Monday FC Dallas were finally able to confirm their 2015 affiliation with USL PRO side Arizona United SC. The announcement means all 20 MLS sides have now formalised their USL PRO plans for 2015. You can check the full list of who’s doing what here. 14. WHAT WILL NEXT JANUARY BRING? Now that another US January camp has come to an end, what are the main takeaways from this year’s get together? Will this also be the last January camp in its current form? 15. MULLAN’S NEW ROLE Brian Mullan may have retired last season, but the striker’s time with the Colorado Rapids isn’t done yet, as the club announced on Monday that the former midfielder will be taking up a new role as both an assistant coach and a community ambassador. MLSsoccer.com Musts ExtraTime Radio: Dom Kinnear on his homecoming, plus USMNT reaction Preseason Tracker: Kyle Beckerman expects a bloodbath out west Myers, Opara & Zusi all approaching return for Sporting Kansas City | 
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