ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: MLS teams ramp up preparations l MLS Fantasy launches

Kick Off: MLS teams ramp up preparations l MLS Fantasy launches | Keane to extend with Galaxy?

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

1. PRESEASON GETS COMPETITIVE

With the start of both the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic and the Desert Diamond Cup, Wednesday marked a big day for the MLS preseason. The scorelines certainly lived up to the hype, with five of the days' 12 games featuring at least four goals. Check out the match reports and highlights.

2. FANTASY SOCCER IS BACK

MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager has launched on Thursday. It's time to make your team, call your friends, and launch your league. Get started now!

3. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN

One player you might pick in fantasy is Clint Dempsey, who notched two in the Seattle Sounders' 6-0 win over FC Tucson. But you don't sleep on Martinique international Kevin Parsemain, who knows he has his work cut out to get into the Sounders starting lineup but turned some heads with two goals o fhis own on Wednesday. Meanwhile, General Manager Garth Lagerwey explained his vision for player development at the club.

4. CREWS SC ROMP

Columbus Crew SC strutted their stuff on Wednesday at the IMG Suncoast Pro Classic, recording a 7-0 victory over London United. It wasn't all good news for Crew SC, though, as SuperDraft selection Robert Kristo confirmed that he will join Italian Serie B side Spezia.

5. KEANE ON LA CAPTAINCY

While LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane is excited about the midseason arrival of Steven Gerrard, he doesn't see himself handing over the captaincy to the English midfielder. The reigning MLS MVP is apparently also in talks about extending his contract. And once his playing career does end, it appears he has coaching is in his future plans.

6. UNITED CONTRACTS

Following a series of impressive performances during preseason, D.C. United officially signed SuperDraft selection Miguel Aguilar. He might not be the only one to secure a new deal either, as general manager Dave Kasper and the club are reportedly talking about an extension.

7. NEW UNION DP?

The Philadelphia Union appear to have secured an exciting new addition to their team, with reports suggesting that 22-year-old Venezuelan striker Fernando Aristeguieta is set to join the club on loan from Ligue 1 club Nantes as a young Designated Player.

8. STRAIGHT BACK TO WORK FOR RIDGEWELL

Liam Ridgewell trained with the Portland Timbers for the first time this year on Wednesday. In the wake of his six-week loan stint in England, the Timbers are expecting their Designated Player to once again slot straight into the backline.

9. LASSITER JR. GOING HIS OWN WAY

Along with being tied for the record for most goals in a single MLS season, Roy Lassiter also made 34 appearances for the US national team. However, while his son Ariel is a member of the LA Galaxy II, it appears that the younger Lassiter is choosing a different national team.

10. ORLANDO CITY: INCENTIVIZED

With Orlando City set to start construction on their soccer specific stadium this year, the club is pursuing tax incentives from the Florida sports stadium incentive program. Lucky for them, OCSC has some serious political backing: Orlando Mayor Buddy Dwyer has labeled securing the incentive funding a "state priority."

11. STADIUM NEWS IN UTAH

Staying on the stadium front, it seems the Utah state legislature will determine the fate of the proposed new, small stadium for Real Salt Lake's USL side, the Real Monarchs. RSL owner Dell Loy Hansen has offered to foot the entire bill for the stadium, but he isn't lobbying. "If they want the gift, we'll move forward," he stated.

12. WINTER IS COMING FOR WORLD CUP

It's been coming for a while now, and although there's still no official announcement from FIFA, on Wednesday Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl repored that the 2022 World Cup will be played in November/December.

13. JULIAN GREEN PLAYS...FOR U-23 SIDE

It appears that Julian Green's talk with Hamburg management went well, with the young US international starting and scoring in the 11th minute of the Hamburg U-23 side's 13-2 romp in a friendly.

14. ALHASSAN TO MINNESOTA?

It appears former Portland Timbers winger Kalif Alhassan has found a new club, with the Ghanaian seemingly set to complete a move to NASL side Minnesota United. Alhassan would join US international Miguel Ibarra and former New York Red Bull Jonny Steele in the United midfield.

15. DAX & DART

Dax McCarty is a fan favorite in New York. A lot of what makes him great comes directly from his father, Dart.

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