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MLS Ticker: Sporting KC adds two signings, MLS announces Canadian TV deal, and more

Cameron Iwasa

Sporting Kansas City took a few more steps towards preparing for their 2017 season, as the club announced a pair of new signings on Tuesday

For starters, the team completed the signing of goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra on a one-year contract with an additional option for 2018. Sporting KC selected Dykstra in stage two of the MLS Re-Entry Draft late last month. The 31-year old joins the team after spending time with D.C. United from 2012-2016.

“When we lost Alec Kann in the Expansion Draft, we knew we wanted to fill that role with a veteran of MLS,” Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes said. “Andrew is a player who was available in the Re-Entry Draft and one who we know very well from his time in the league. He has a good attitude and we look forward working with him this coming season.”

The team also announced the completed signing of 23-year-old forward Cameron Iwasa on a one year deal with options for 2018, 2019, and 2020.

Iwasa scored 12 goals and tallied three assists for the Sacramento Republic in the USL last season, helping the team to finish first in the Western conference and earning himself a USL All-League 2nd Team nod.

“Cameron is a player we saw at the MLS Combine in 2015 and who we followed closely during his time at Sacramento,” said Brian Bliss, Sporting KC director of player personnel. “We think that he is a player with a high upside who can contribute at multiple positions in the attack.”

MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER ANNOUNCES CANADIAN TV PARTNERS

After an incredibly successful 2016 for Canadian MLS teams, with Toronto FC reaching the Final after beating the Montreal Impact in the Eastern Conference Finals to get there, the league announced new TV deals to expand their Canadian coverage.

“Coming off the record-setting season the league had in Canada, we are excited to announce these new deals with TSN and TVA Sports,” Gary Stevenson, president and managing director of MLS Business Ventures, said in a statement. “These agreements are a clear indication that our media partners — along with the league and our Canadian clubs — are investing in the growth of the sport in Canada.”

This season TSN will show every Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps game and a “select number” of Montreal Impact matches, “marquee matchups” featuring U.S.-based teams and English-language coverage of the MLS All-Star Game, playoffs and MLS Cup. MLS coverage will include Friday night coverage and a game of the week Saturday nights. The full broadcast schedule will be released at a later date. TVA will provide French-language broadcasts of Montreal Impact matches plus the all-star game, playoffs and MLS Cup.

CHARLOTTE LEADERS NEGOTIATING BID FOR MLS EXPANSION SLOT

With the recent news of SC STL’s stadium struggles, the door for MLS expansion slots 25 and 26 are heating up for their competitors, including a bid from Charlotte.

Charlotte city and council leaders have begun negotiating an MLS expansion bid that would upgrade the historic Memorial Stadium and demolish the Grady Cole Center to make way for a stadium that could seat 20,000 to 30,000 people.

While far from certain, the news of the negotiations could lead the way to an application being filed before the league’s January 31st deadline for candidate markets.

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