Mirror, mirror on the wall — what are the biggest issues MLS faces of all? An upcoming CBA negotiation and uncertainty over the kickoff of the 2015 season. An increase in NASL spending that’s putting pressure on MLS to offer improved entry-level contracts. The fact that there are still wide gulfs between how MLS does deals and how the rest of the world does deals. We asked agents across North America for their input — and we got some very, very interesting answers. Here’s a rare peek behind the scenes...

He’s been involved with Major League Soccer since he made his Toronto FC debut in 2007; but Carl Robinson’s first few months as a head coach haven’t been easy. From the perception that he was the fallback guy in the coaching search, to dealing with a star player who wanted out, Robinson has been under fire before the Whitecaps played their first MLS match of 2014

Mozzi Gyorio came from the former Yugoslavia to Hungary to Prince Edward Island. He’s played in the Netherlands, the NASL and in England. As he looks to re-fire his career as a member of Minnesota United FC, the midfielder talks about his hopes, dreams and the loss of his brother...

But, with 2014 being a World Cup year — and clubs realizing it’s a tough task to bring fans out on a Saturday to either Clarke Stadium or Carleton University when Italy or BraziI or Argentina or England is playing — the call was made to create a rather unique split.

Horace James scored against FC Edmonton last season. Now, the former Atlanta Silverback hopes to score a lot of goals for FC Edmonton in 2014.

The team unveiled their new home and away kits for the 2014 season. The Adidas kits sees the team go back to a blue and white design, with only flashes of black.

Edmonton’s city council has unanimously green-lighted the plan to tear up the existing turf at Clarke Stadium, and replace it with a new surface in time for the NASL fall season.

But, when FC Edmonton opens the NASL season in Tampa Bay, and the Ottawa Fury visits the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (both on April 12), there’s a growing possibility that those games won’t be overseen by PRO refs.

“The experience in Colorado was one of the best I’ve had. It’s a beautiful place. And when I got there, the team had just won a championship, and there were so many young players. There was so much energy. I knew that I wanted to return (to North America) and play here for the longer term.”

Folan made 26 appearances for the Rapids, scoring six times, in the 2011 season. He’s made a number of stops in English league football, which has included stints at Chesterfield, Wigan Athletic, Hull City and Bradford City.