ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Can Whitecaps scale the MLS mountaintop?

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Kick Off: Can Whitecaps scale the MLS mountaintop? | United, Rapids keep the trades coming

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

Toward The Mountain Top

Vancouver reached the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time during the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, and our Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle writes they can climb higher in 2016.

Sion Stars

Swiss side FC Sion have confirmed that the New England Revolution's incoming DP signing Xavier Kouassi has been lost for the rest of the Super League season to Sunday's knee injury. Meanwhile, the Europa League chasers have failed to sign away Anderlecht defender Anthony Vanden Borre, who apparently has serious loan interest out of MLS.

Orange Rising

Finally free of nagging injuries, Houston playmaker Boniek Garcia is ready to help the Dynamo return to the playoffs after a three-year absence.

Friendly Reminder

Check all of Tuesday's preseason action, which included club debuts from the likes of Ashley Cole and Jordan Morris.

Full Nelson

Sounders forward Nelson Valdez told the Seattle Times he wasn't interested in listening to his agent talk about potentially lucrative offseason interest from China.

United Kingdom

Washington Post Soccer Insider Steven Goff reports that D.C. United have sealed a loan-plus-purchase option deal for Boca Juniors midfielder Luciano Acosta. Because of this development, United holds all the cards as they talk deal with Orlando City over the discovery claim rights to AC Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino.

Not Rebuilding - Reloading

The New York Red Bulls weren't thrilled to sell promising young defender Matt Miazga to Chelsea this winter, but they'd already been planning for his potential departure, as club leaders explain to ESPNFC. Notably, coach Jesse Marsch called the move "a little bit of a window into the future of what business with the New York Red Bulls will become."

That Reputation & Classy Cars

Get to know new LA Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong better by playing another round of "10 Things." Speaking of de Jongs, Sporting KC have reportedly told wingback Marcel de Jong that he is no longer in their plans, with local blog Reporting KC speculating that he could join one of the three Canadian clubs in MLS.

Moving Company

The Colorado Rapids continued their makeover by acquiring forward Conor Doyle from D.C. United. He was not alone in finding a new MLS home on Tuesday, with Philadelphia Union landing veteran netminder Matt Jones on loan from Portugal's Belenenses.

Grab A Seat

Atlanta United have posted a virtual environment for their new stadium, with views possible from every seat, and the locals are loving it. In other expansion news, David Beckham, the face of Miami's expansion drive, is currently working to sell an ownership stake in the potential franchise.

Back To L'Ecole

In the second of a three-part series tracking the ways the United States is improving its soccer development, Sports Illustrated's Liviu Bird reports on the MLS coaches taking advanced lessons in France.

Zardes Rules

The Galaxy website has posted an up-close-and-personal look at the connection between Gyasi Zardes and his hometown of Hawthorne, where he's made an effort to ensure the town can produce more soccer players.

Setback for Schelotto

Guillermo Barros Schelotto was a Columbus Crew SC icon during his playing days, and his coaching career has begun promisingly. But the Argentine legend has been hit by a painful setback as UEFA have officially deemed him unqualified to take the helm of Italian side Palermo.