In K.C., Sam McDowell reports Sporting KC D Matt Besler and MF Graham Zusi are seeing their "international stock ... rising" after their play so far for Team USA in the FIFA World Cup, which could lead to a "cascade of new opportunities upon their return from Brazil." Sporting KC manager and technical director Peter Vermes said that neither Besler nor Zusi have "expressed a desire to pursue an overseas operation," but the "timing could be prime for such a leap." Vermes: "We'll have to deal with that as it comes. The window is opening up here not too long from now. ... We can't shy away from it -- especially if they continue to go deeper and deeper into the tournament" (K.C. STAR, 6/24).
READY TO GET THINGS STARTED: In Orlando, Paul Tenorio reported Orlando City SC has "sold more than 5,000 season tickets for its inaugural MLS campaign in the eight days since making packages available." The news that the club is "poised to sign" Brazilian MF Kaka as its first designated player "adds to the momentum that started when Orlando City unveiled its new logo in May and renderings" for its new $115M stadium on June 10. Two days after that, the World Cup kicked off and '15 season tickets went on sale. Orlando City plans to "cap season ticket sales at around 14,000." It already has reached 35% of that number "in a little more than a week" (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 6/20).
REVOLUTIONARY WAR: In Boston, Thomas Grillo noted Boston Mayor Martin Walsh said that he will "consider a soccer stadium to house" the Revolution. Walsh: "It's something I'd be interested in. It's worth looking at. I'm open to a lot of ideas. ... It's something I wouldn't turn down. There will have to be a lot of discussions about the location. I don't know where it would go. We will have to see." The Revolution play at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, but the Kraft family, which owns the team, has "been searching for a smaller setting with better access to public transportation." Meanwhile, Revere Mayor Daniel Rizzo and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone both confirmed this month that they "haven't talked to the Krafts in roughly a year" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 6/23).
IN MEMORY: In Portland, Casey Parks noted the Timbers have "created a jersey" for 14-year-old Emilio Hoffman, who died June 10 "after a 15-year-old freshman shot him" in a local high school locker room. The green uniform, unveiled Sunday, "bore his last name and '29' -- the number he wore for the club team Crystal" (OREGONLIVE.com, 6/22).
