By FRANCO PANIZO

ORLANDO, Fla.-- Geoff Cameron's time with the Houston Dynamo could be coming to a close in the near future.

The Dynamo centerback is currently attracting interest from several clubs abroad, sources with knowledge of the situation told SBI on Thursday. The clubs eyeing the versatile 26-year-old have not been identified, but there are potential suitors in Germany, England, Portugal and Holland.

Cameron's current deal with the Dynamo runs through the end of this season with two optional years after that, but sources tell SBI the U.S. men's national team defender is keen on moving.

Cameron has started in all 10 of the Dynamo's games this season, and he was a vital part of the club's run to the MLS Cup final in 2011. He has impressed U.S. national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann enough to be a part of the current U.S. national team camp, where he has become one of Klinsmann's top four centerback options.

What do you think of Cameron attracting interest from clubs overseas? What league do you think would suit him best? Think the Dynamo will sell him?

Share your thoughts below.

When Jurgen Klinsmann named the 27-man roster for the current U.S. national team training camp, the players who didn't get called in were as big a story as the players who Klinsmann did call in. The absences of several players came as a surprise, while some other long-shots didn't come through for some fans.

In case you missed it on Wednesday, Jurgen Klinsmann spoke in detail about many of the players who most fans were curious about being left off the current USMNT training camp roster. In my Fox Soccer Training Camp Notebook, Klinsmann addressed the absences of Tim Ream, Eric Lichaj, Sacha Kljestan and Freddy Adu.

Among the more interesting tidbits was Klinsmann stating that Geoff Cameron is currently ahead of Tim Ream on the depth chart, and that Brek Shea's recent MLS suspension played a part in him not being called in (that tidbit actually didn't make it into the story, but Klinsmann did address it). He also laid down some very specific requirements for Adu to work his way back onto the national team radar.

Give the story a read if you haven't already. If you have, what did you think of Klinsmann's statements? Agree with his decisions? Still don't get why Lichaj didn't make the cut?

Share your thoughts below.

By JOEY SAMUEL

Days after being acquired from Chivas USA in exchange for Philadelphia Union captain Danny Califf, Michael Lahoud was already into the starting lineup. But Lahoud's first match as a member of the Union saw him struggle to adapt to the team's style of play.

As the Union prepare for a game against Toronto FC on Saturday, Lahoud will have to improve on his performance from last week if Philadelphia do not want to become the first team Toronto FC earns points off of.

"From talking to Peter (Nowak), it's just an extension of what I've been doing thus far in my career," Lahoud said. "Just putting in an honest effort on both sides of the ball. There's definitely more of an ask here to be involved on the offensive side of the ball, but still maintain discipline defensively."

While it's not clear if Lahoud will start again on Saturday, Nowak attributed his struggles against FC Dallas to a lack of time with the team.

"It's just been only three, four days," Nowak said. "He joined us right before we traveled to Dallas. When we start to work on our overall tactics, game, pressure and movement of the ball, he needs to get this through his veins. He's a pretty smart kid and he can understand pretty fast."

After missing the game against Dallas due to injury, starting goalkeeper Zac MacMath is expected to return for Saturday's match against Toronto, Nowak said at his press conference on Wednesday. MacMath had been suffering from concussion symptoms.

Meanwhile, Gabriel Farfan is back after missing several games, first due to a red card suspension that was extended by the league's Disciplinary Committee, and then a knee contusion. He resumed training this week and is an option to start at left back for the Union, a position that has seen four different starters so far this season.

Gabriel Gomez's knee is still too swollen for him to practice with the team at the moment. He appeared to injure his knee on the play in which he scored for the Union on Saturday against Dallas. Nowak said he is receiving treatment three times a day in an attempt to have him ready for the Toronto game.

PPL PARK TO HOST FIRST US OPEN CUP MATCH

The Union will have the privelege of hosting a US Open Cup match for the first time in franchise history on Tuesday, when they take on the Rochester Rhinos at PPL Park in a third-round contest.

Philadelphia has never played a match in the Open Cup tournament proper, having lost each of the past two seasons in the play-in games that some MLS teams had to participate in. This year, all American MLS teams directly entered the actual tournament. If the Union manage to defeat Rochester, they would go on the road to face the winner of the match between DC United and the Richmond Kickers.

By FRANCO PANIZO

The relationship between Danny Califf and the Philadelphia Union did not end in the most pleasant of ways, but the start to the latest chapter in his career has gone as well as anyone could have imagined.

Since being traded by the Union to Chivas USA a week ago, Califf has gotten off to a strong start with the Goats by helping them to a win over the Los Angeles Galaxy in his debut last Saturday and a 1-1 draw against the red-hot New York Red Bulls on Wednesday. This despite him having little time to adjust to his new surroundings and teammates, and after flying cross country before each match.

"I'm sure it's been a whirlwind for him, but he's adapted great," said Chivas USA head coach Robin Fraser. "He's such a good professional. He's really a defender who has gotten to where he's gotten not because of just his physical skills, but because of his approach: his physical approach, his mental approach and he's jumped right in and fitting in great."

The 32-year-old Califf may be fitting in great with his new surroundings because he grew up not too far from Los Angeles. Born in Montclair, Califf spent a chunk of his life in California, even playing the first five years of his professional career with the Los Angeles Galaxy before spending a season with the San Jose Earthquakes and then plying his trade in Europe.

That wealth of experience (he's also played for the U.S. men's national team) has served Califf well. In his rookie season in 2000, Califf and Fraser were teammates with the Galaxy and that familiarity combined with being the new player in town has helped Califf ease into things with the Goats despite being with them for just a week.

"Stepping into the locker room, it's like Cheers where you walk in and everyone knows your name," said Califf. "Having past experience almost with the entire staff is what made the transition pretty comfortable. Some of the older guys on the team I know pretty well. So far the transition has been smooth and easy."

The end to Califf's time in Philadelphia was anything but smooth and easy. Drama and uncertainty revolved around the former Union captain's future, as club head coach Peter Nowak looked to trade the veteran defender, that by MLS standards, was and is expensive.

As hurt as Califf was by the Union wanting to get rid of him, he was equally as frustrated with how long it took for the club to finalize a deal.

"There's some things that were going on that weren't that sweet, but it is nice to be in a somewhat stable situation, especially after, I think, the longest trade in MLS history," Califf said with a smile. "It kept getting delayed and delayed. I was told it was done and it wasn't, so it's nice to be in a stable spot where the coaching staff believes in me."

Califf's tenure with the Union may not have ended as well as he would have liked, but that does not mean he sees his time there as negative. Instead, Califf insists that his two-plus years playing at PPL Park were ones he enjoyed for the most part.

"I look back on it with extreme fondness," said Califf. "I was embraced by the city, I was embraced by the fans. My family loved it, my kids loved it, so I look back on it with nothing but positive. I'm over all the garbage that went on at the end. I don't have time to worry about it anymore, so I'm focusing on the happy time I had there, which was pretty much the whole time.

Califf's focus is now on the future with his new club. He is aiming to help Chivas USA end their home woes en route to making the playoffs this season, and so far he's doing his part to ensure that happens.

By THOMAS FLOYD

Jonny Steele was just 12 years old when he first visited the United States. Little did he know how influential that trip would ultimately be.

Traveling stateside for the USA Cup youth soccer tournament, Steele met some friends that he stayed in touch with over the course of his budding career. When the Northern Ireland Under-19 international departed the Wolverhampton Wanderers organization five years later, he evaluated his European options before deciding a more dramatic change of scenery would do him good.

"I had opportunities to stay in England," Steele said. "But I said I'd just come to America and give it a go."

Nearly a decade later, Steele is a veteran of six lower-level North American clubs, as well as four indoor soccer teams. The 26-year-old, whose body is as heavily inked as his resume, has got the journeyman thing down.

But this season, Steele is finally getting a shot to contribute for a top-flight club -- eight years after he first went on an MLS trial, with the Dallas Burn. While the Real Salt Lake midfielder has contributed toughness to coach Jason Kreis' midfield in 12 appearances since signing during the preseason, he has made a name for himself across the league thanks to his flair for the dramatic.

Steele's first MLS goal came March 31, when he slotted home an 89th-minute equalizer for Salt Lake at Portland, moments before Kyle Beckerman capped the 3-2 comeback win with a stoppage-time strike. And his second tally was an exquisite 93rd-minute winner in a 3-2 triumph over Toronto FC on April 28.

"He's brought energy, passion, aggressiveness -- things that you just don't find in everyday players," Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson said. "He's got a great left foot on him as well, and he's been able to get some big goals for us."

Before heading to the Rocky Mountains, Steele played for the Syracuse Salty Dogs, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Carolina RailHawks, Puerto Rico Islanders, Vancouver Whitecaps (prior to their MLS entrance) and FC Tampa Bay. In 2008 with Puerto Rico, he was named the Most Valuable Player of the United Soccer Leagues' top division.

To make some extra cash and stay fit during the offseason, Steele also had stints playing indoor for the Kansas City Comets, Baltimore Blast, Philadelphia Kixx and Syracuse Silver Knights. Although adjusting to the rapid-fire nature of the indoor game, in which players log quick, high-octane shifts, was difficult at first, Steele said the tight confines helped him clean up his touch and develop his one-on-one skills.

Steele first got wind of Salt Lake's interest in him while playing with Carolina last season, when he was paid a visit by RSL assistant coach C.J. Brown. Steele's days waiting for another MLS opportunity, it turned out, were coming to an end.

"They flew C.J. down to meet me personally and talk to me about RSL and what they believe, the team is the star and stuff like that, and did I buy into it," Steele recalled. "And I was like, 'Of course I do.'"

Steele signed with Salt Lake after a trial, adding wide midfield depth to a team that needed to replace departed wingers Andy Williams and Arturo Alvarez. And as Johnson pointed out, it didn't hurt that Steele's entrance also gave the club another strong locker room personality.

"Anybody who has ever met Jonny knows there is nobody in the world that's like Jonny Steele," Johnson said. "He's the most loyal and passionate person that I've ever met. Those are two really great qualities when they're handled in the right capacity, which they are now."

For Steele, his emergence as a key role player for Salt Lake means he just might be staying put for a while. As far as he's concerned, he couldn't have picked a better organization to settle down with.

"You learn something new every day in soccer," Steele said. "Every day we come in, it's about working hard and getting the best out of it. We're really held accountable. The standards are kept very high here.

"And hopefully I'm here for a while."

Juventus has jumped into the Didier Drogba sweepstakes.

The Italian champions have reportedly offered the prolific striker a two-year deal that would play him $125,000 a week, as well as a $15 million signing bonus. Drogba, who Saturday led Chelsea to a win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final, is departing Stamford Bridge after eight seasons with the London outfit.

Juventus is competing for Drogba's services most notably with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua, where the 34-year-old would be reunited with former Chelsea teammate Nicolas Anelka.

Here is some more news to keep your Thursday rolling:

MARTINEZ IN MIAMI FOR LIVERPOOL TALKS

Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez is in Miami speaking with Liverpool's ownership about making a move to Anfield, according to Wigan chairman Dave Whelan. The 38-year-old has been widely speculated as the front-runner to replace the departed Kenny Dalglish as Liverpool's manager.

"If it's yes to Liverpool, I will accept it and get on with life. But if it's no, I'll be delighted," Whelan said to ESPN of the pending decision from Martinez. "I would love him to stay, I hope he will stay, but I told him I need an answer in the next seven days."

KUYT ACKNOWLEDGES HAMBURG INTEREST

If Martinez does take over at Liverpool, one player he might be without is Dirk Kuyt. The Dutchman, who started just 12 of his 22 league appearances this past season, told German outlet Bild that Hamburg is interested in acquiring his services.

"Yes, HSV is an option," Kuyt said. "I am proud that such a great, wonderful club have shown interest in me. But there are other offers."

GOAL-LINE TECHNOLOGY TO BE TESTED IN ENGLAND FRIENDLY

Goal-line technology will be tested when England hosts Belgium in friendly at Wembley Stadium on June 2, and if all goes well, FIFA is expected to give the system the green light a month later.

It will be the first live test for the Hawk-Eye system, but match officials will not actually use it. The system's readings will merely be evaluated by representatives from FIFA, the International Football Association Board and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology.

------------

Would Juventus be a good landing spot for Drogba? Is Martinez the right man for the Liverpool job? How would Kuyt fare for Hamburg?

Share your thoughts below.

Toronto FC may be the "worst team in the world," in the words of striker Danny Koevermans, but the embattled club is headed to the CONCACAF Champions League for the fourth straight year nonetheless.

After earning a 1-1 draw at Vancouver last week in the first leg of the Canadian Championship final, Toronto finished off the Whitecaps on Wednesday at BMO Field, riding Reggie Lambe's 83rd-minute tally to a 1-0 win and 2-1 aggregate triumph.

The match was marred by a 56th-minute skirmish that saw Vancouver's Sebastien Le Toux and Toronto's Julian de Guzman sent off. While Toronto was poised to claim the title on the away-goals tiebreaker before Lambe found net, the strike set up by Nick Soolsma and Ryan Johnson clinched the series for the Reds.

With the win, Toronto will advance to the group stage of the Champions League after making an unlikely run to the tournament semifinal in the 2011-12 version.

Here are highlights of the Canadian Championship second leg:

Were you surprised to see Toronto defeat the Whitecaps? What kind of run do you think Toronto can make in the Champions League? Is this win enough to keep Aron Winter off the hot seat?

Share your thoughts below.

The Montreal Impact have announced the signing of Italian striker Marco Di Vaio.

The 35-year old joins the Impact from Serie A side Bologna, and will count as Montreal's first Designated Player. He will be eligible to join the team when the MLS transfer window opens on June 27th.

What do you think of the signing? Think the Impact can be a playoff team in year one? Still think they're a few pieces away?

Share your thoughts below.