Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. TORONTO UNDONE BY “PERFECT GAME”
The newest USMNTer in MLS, Jermaine Jones, made his league debut on Saturday, coming on as a sub in the 65th minute of his New England Revolution side’s 3-0 demolition of Toronto FC (watch highlights here). While Jones called it a perfect game, TFC coach Ryan Nelsen called out his own general manager for heaping unnecessary pressure on his side.
2. THE FINAL STRAW
It seems those comments from Nelsen, combined with a series of poor results, were the final straw as Nelsen and his entire coaching staff were relieved of their duties on Sunday with academy director and assistant GM Greg Vanney taking over as head coach.
3. DEFOE SET TO GO?
With the European transfer window closing late Monday, could Jermain Defoe be set to follow Nelsen out the door at TFC? According to general manager Tim Bezbatchenko, TFC “have received multiple offers for Jermain Defoe and we will make a decision on this in the next 24 hours.”
4. DYNAMO SET ‘EM UP
Sporting Kansas City found themselves in an uncomfortable position on Friday, as a 3-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo (watch highlights here) meant they’d lost two games in a row -- both at home -- for only the second time this season. Meanwhile, the Dynamo have seemingly gone back to their strengths.
5. SOUNDERS SEE IT OUT
The Colorado Rapids' latest defeat, a 1-0 Saturday loss to the Seattle Sounders (watch highlights here) was their sixth in a row. However, the last time the two teams met, the Rapids fell 4-1, so at least the defense is improving. So much so that Sounders coach Sigi Schmid was pleased just to get a result, allowing the league leaders to stay ahead of the pack in the race for the Shield.
6. PIATTI POWER
As the Columbus Crew look to secure a playoff place, a 2-0 defeat to the last-place Montreal Impact (watch highlights here) was not a result they expected. Ignacio Piatti scored both the goals for the Impact and, unsurprisingly, the Canadian side seem very happy with his contributions so far. Could the result encourage the Crew boss Gregg Berhalter to pursue his interest in Kei Kamara?
7. END OF THE RUN
The Chicago Fire managed to halt FC Dallas’ unbeaten run at 10 games thanks to a 1-0 win at Toyota Park (watch highlights here). New signing Robert Earnshaw scored the only goal of the game to ensure a perfect home debut for the Welshman, while FC Dallas finally succumbed to the weight of a number of absences.
8. PORTLAND BOUNCE BACK
The Portland Timbers bounced back from the defeat to the Seattle Sounders with a strong 3-0 win over their other Cascadia rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps (watch highlights here). Caleb Porter called it his side’s best performance of the year and Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson conceded that his side was outmatched.
9. SAN JOSE HOLD RSL
Real Salt Lake saw their chances of winning the Western Conference slip just a little bit further away following a 1-1 draw at home against the San Jose Earthquakes (watch highlights here). While the Quakes feel they deserved more from the game, RSL’s attention has already turned to their next match.
10. D.C. BUILD A LEAD AT THE TOP
Before their Sunday match-up, Mike Petke made it clear how much he admired his DC counterpart Ben Olsen, but the Red Bulls coach was less impressed with his own side following a 2-0 defeat to their rivals (watch highlights here). Having survived, even thrived, during a hectic August schedule, United are now looking for a chance to recharge.
11. THE LAST OF THE SUPER CLASICOS
The LA Galaxy emerged 3-0 winners over Chivas USA (watch highlights here) in what was more than likely the last encounter between the two sides in their current incarnations. With the LA Galaxy once again overpowering their rivals with three quality strikes, Chivas coach Wilmer Cabrera admitted after the game that his team “could not keep up.”
12. USMNT TO PLAY HONDURAS
Geoff Cameron played no part in Stoke City’s surprise 1-0 win over New York City FC owners Manchester City due to his side strain and the defender has officially withdrawn from the US side due to face the Czech Republic. US Soccer meanwhile has announced another friendly, this one against Honduras on October 14th down in Boca Raton, Florida.
13. HE’S NO. 1
Speaking of Yanks based abroad, goalkeeper Brad Guzan allowed his first English Premier League goal at the weekend as his Aston Villa side beat Hull City 2-1, which was nothing compared to the six Tim Howard conceded. Next up for Guzan: cementing his place as the USA’s new No. 1 during Howard's international absence?
14. GOING ON LOAN
It seems as though Julian Green won’t be breaking into the Bayern Munich first team this season after all, as the US international is set to spend the season on loan with fellow German side Hamburg. Staying with CONCACAF stars in desperate need of playing time, is Mexico’s Javier Hernandez set to join Real Madrid?
15. MORE KC CHAMPIONS
Congratulations are due to FC Kansas City after the team won their first National Women’s Soccer League title, beating the Seattle Reign 2-1 at the Starfire Sports Complex in Seattle to lift the trophy. The win now means that Kansas City is home to the reigning soccer champions in MLS, NWSL and MISL.
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