Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning, plus don’t forget to vote for September's Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month:
1. THE GREATEST EVER?
Following their impressive demolition of the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, the 2014 LA Galaxy could be making a claim to be one of the greatest teams in league history if they can beat out the Seattle Sounders for the Supporters' Shield. But they wouldn't be the greatest ever, according to their head coach Bruce Arena. That honor belongs to another of his teams.
2. MAKING CALLS
Toronto FC may still have a game in hand over most Eastern Conference rivals, but it projects to be a tight race down to the wire if they're going to snag their first playoff appearance in club history. With that in mind, the club have already been making inquiries about potential international absences.
3. CLASH OF THE TITANS
With Joao Plata called into the Ecuador squad, Real Salt Lake are another team whose October could be interrupted by international matches. On Tuesday, the MLS side will take the field for a friendly against Sacramento Republic FC, recently crowned USL PRO champions.
4. REPLACING THE IRREPLACEABLE
There’s been no shortage of support for Will Johnson since his terrible injury on Saturday, and while Ben Zemanski talks about filling in for the fiery competitor, Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter has no plans to appoint a new team captain for the remaining four games.
5. LOWER LEAGUE, TOP TALENT
In the midst of an impressive season with Minnesota United in the NASL, could Miguel Ibarra become the first player in nine years to earn a national team callup while playing in the US second division? It looks that way but, much like Clyde Simms back in 2005, Ibarra might not be in the second division for much longer.
6. WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER?
Periodically the MLS Players Union publishes a list of base salaries and guaranteed compensation of players around the league. On Monday that list was updated as of the roster freeze deadline of September 15. You can pore through the MLSPU's numbers here.
7. MORE CANDIDATES FOR MVP
The stars leading the way in the salary department, the Designated Players, had a big weekend in Week 29. DPs led the way for almost every victorious team, especially in the case of two US internationals who are particularly important to their respective teams' postseason hopes.
8. A STADIUM BY NUMBERS
It's been a landmark year for DC United. Not only are they riding high again in the Eastern Conference, but they're also working on getting a new stadium built. As part of their latest push to explain the project, the club have released information about how fans would get there and what else the new venue would be used for.
9. APPRECIATING ARNAUD
There are a lot of reasons to explain D.C. United’s remarkable transformation from worst to first, but could one of the key components, and the one most often overlooked, be the acquisition of Davy Arnaud?
10. NO CHANGE FOR SAN JOSE … YET
So is Dominic Kinnear on his way to the San Jose Earthquakes? Although the Dynamo acknowledge that the speculation has always existed, the Quakes have released a statement that no changes are forthcoming. They do note, somewhat ominously, that change might come at the end of the season.
11. PERILS OF CYCLING
It seems the season could be over for Steven Lenhart. The San Jose Earthquakes forward had only just returned from a knee injury, but Lenhart will miss several weeks after reportedly cutting his foot while riding a bike.
12. NEW YORK CITY STARS ABROAD
New York City’s Frank Lampard can’t stop scoring for loan club Manchester City at the moment, and while the midfielder gears up to play Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, his fellow Designated Player, David Villa, is set to arrive in Melbourne on Tuesday in time for the start of the A-League season.
13. STILL A HOME FOR HOLDEN
Stuart Holden has been without a club since his contract with Bolton Wanderers ran out in the summer, and while his former manager admits that mistakes were made during the US international’s rehabilitation, he also states that Holden can return to Bolton whenever he’s ready.
14. BROOKS DEMOTED?
Many US soccer fans may have been expecting big things from center back John Brooks this season after his breakout goal during the 2014 World Cup but, following some inconsistent performances, the US defender has found himself demoted to Hertha Berlin’s Under-23 side instead.
15. IS VEGAS READY?
While Las Vegas’ proposed stadium deal is still working through some issues, is the city actually ready for a top level professional soccer team? According to World Cup veteran and ex-MLSer Herculez Gomez, the answer is a resounding 'Yes.'
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Goal of the Week & Save of the Week: Vote now!
ExtraTime Radio: MLS ready? Preki says Sacramento could hack it
Instant Replay: Donovan’s penalty claim, Montreal’s protests and a tussle in KC
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