Here are the top 15 stories we're talking about today:
1. RED BULLS ENTER THE CCL
The New York Red Bulls get their CONCACAF Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday (8 pm ET, FOX Sports 2), when they take on El Salvador's CD FAS. They are already six points behind the Montreal Impact, who won their first two games, and NY head coach Mike Petke is very clear on the objective: "We need to win."
2. HENRY: NOT ENOUGH, BRADLEY WRIGHT-PHILLIPS
While most observers are impressed by New York forward Bradley Wright-Phillips' run to the top of the Budweiser Golden Boot standings, but his teammate Thierry Henry isn't. "I keep telling him, ‘You should already be on 35-40 goals,’" Henry said. "I'm not even joking."
3. JONES SHOWS THE WAY
Jermaine Jones will be formally presented on Tuesday at 2 pm ET (watch stream on RevolutionSoccer.net). He is just the latest US World Cup standout to join an MLS club this summer, and while the manner of his arrival raised a few eyebrows, the heavy USMNT presence in the league could signal the way forward.
4. NEW ENGLAND ADD ANOTHER
The Revolution may have just signed JJ, but they weren't done. On Monday, they added 23-year-old Dutch forward Geoffrey Castillion.
5. COPA CENTROAMERICANA CALL-UPS
When the 2014 Copa Centroamericana Tigo kicks off next week with matches all around the United States, it will have plenty of MLS representation, including the Red Bulls' Costa Rican left back Roy Miller.
6. RSL SIGNING ARRIVES
After Real Salt Lake head coach Jeff Cassar declared his side “just weren’t good enough” in Friday’s loss to FC Dallas, he got good some news. New signing Sebastian Jaime has arrived and could make his debut this weekend against the San Jose Earthquakes. It's fortuitous timing, as RSL will be without forward Joao Plata for a while after he was called up by Ecuador for some big-time friendlies.
7. LONG-AWAITED DEBUT
Aside from commanding performances by Sébastien Le Toux and Andrew Wenger, the Philadelphia Union’s 4-2 win over San Jose on Sunday was notable for one other reason: Algerian World Cup goalkeeper Rais Mbohli finally made his debut after looking head coach Jim Curtin in the eye and telling him, "I wanna play."
8. FIXING DARLINGTON
Believe it or not, Darlington Nagbe has yet to score a league goal for the Portland Timbers this season. He only has four assists. What's going on with one of the most promising young talents in the league?
9. CAMERON’S CHOICE
Having requested a transfer away from English side Stoke City, Geoff Cameron’s future is very much up in the air right now. However, it seems the US international has plenty of suitors, with even Serie A side Lazio reportedly in the running.
10. SKC CONTINUE TO GROW
While it’s easy to forget that things weren’t always as rosy as they are today for Sporting Kansas City, a look through the eyes of a first time fan reminds us all just how far the club has come in the city.
11. NEW SIGNING FOR ORLANDO?
If reports out of Italy are to be believed then Orlando City SC are on the verge of securing a 22-year-old Swedish striker from Serie B club Brescia.
12. ATLANTA AIMING HIGH
Following the news that the Atlanta MLS franchise has already received pledges for more than 14,000 season tickets, Arthur Blank issued a challenge to fans which, if met, could see Atlanta break an MLS record. Now that the club has fans, what next?
13. CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE
Many would argue that the growth in elite academies in North America is good for the game. After all, look at the increasing number of homegrown products emerging in MLS and even on the US and Canadian national teams. What effect have these ventures had on the larger youth soccer landscape?
14. TURNING THE PAGE
Is there anything Tim Howard can’t do? Having already turned his hand to World Cup heroics and TV commentary, the US and Everton goalkeeper, now on international hiatus, will soon release a book detailing his life story so far.
15. SOME SERIOUS NEWS
On Monday we learned that FC Dallas technical director Fernando Clavijo, who previously managed both the New England Revolution and Colorado Rapids, is battling cancer. Our thoughts are with him and his family.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: How and why Jermaine Jones landed in New England
Instant Replay: Four penalties missed in Cascadia Clash?
Fantasy Advice: Stars push scores to record heights
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