Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. MONTREAL MARCH ON
They did it. The Montreal Impact became the first Canadian side, and just the second-ever MLS side, to make it through to the CONCACAF Champions League final. Goals from Jack McInerney and Andres Romero meant that, despite losing 4-2 on the night (HIGHLIGHTS), the Impact went through on away goals.
2. WHO WILL IMPACT FACE NEXT?
With a Champions League final to look forward to now, the Impact have already announced that the home leg will take place at the Olympic Stadium on April 29. They'll find out their opponent on Wednesday night, after Club América take on Herediano (10 pm ET; Fox Sports 2 and UDN) in the second leg of the other semifinal. The Mexican side trail 3-0 on aggregate to the Costa Ricans.
3. CAN THE WHITECAPS KEEP WINNING?
In MLS action on Wednesday, the Vancouver Whitecaps and Columbus Crew SC square off at BC Place (10 pm ET; TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). Will the Whitecaps make any changes as they look for five wins in a row or can Crew SC earn some valuable points at the start of an epic road trip?
4. GET MORE FANTASY POINTS
The first midweek match in the MLS schedule means that we have our first DGW -- "double game week." Have you made all the right moves to take advantage of it in MLS Fantasy Soccer? Also, the recently launched Newcomers' Challenge is still a good option for any newbies out there.
5. ORLANDO LOOKING FOR ADDITIONS
Orlando City’s big crowds have already shown that MLS can indeed succeed in Florida. But the Lions know they must improve on the field, and while rumors have swirled this week about Mexican star Chicharito, the club is actively looking for new additions.
6. MBOLHI BENCHED BY UNION?
Goalkeeper Rais MBolhi hasn’t been on top form for the Philadelphia Union so far this season, and head coach Jim Curtin has had enough. The Union boss confirmed the Algerian international will not start this weekend.
7. IN DEFENSE OF BENDIK
Joe Bendik might sympathize with Rais M’bolhi. The Toronto FC ‘keeper has come under some criticism of his own, but an unlikely source, former TFC star Darren O'Dea, has come to the defence of his one-time teammate. Despite some unfortunate recent results, the Reds want their fans to know just how important they are.
8. DIAZ GETTING CLOSER FOR FCD
Having missed FC Dallas’s past two games with a leg injury, Mauro Diaz could be back in action before too long. He apparently participated in the majority of the club's latest training session.
9. FITNESS BOOSTS FOR SEATTLE & LA
With Gonzalo Pineda suspended for the Seattle Sounders' visit to the LA Galaxy on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1), Osvaldo Alonso could return just in the nick of time. Having also welcomed Dylan Remick back to the starting lineup against the Houston Dynamo, the left back is aiming to hold the position down long term. Meanwhile, the Galaxy are hopeful of having the young star Jose Villarreal back for Sunday's clash.
10. MEET THE FANS
With less than two years to go until their entry into MLS, LAFC will host a roundtable with their fans on Wednesday afternoon (4 pm ET) as they prepare to join the league in 2017 or 2018.
11. RAPIDS RESULTS WILL COME
The Colorado Rapids haven’t had the best start to 2015, but recent addition Marcelo Sarvas is certain the results will come soon and head coach Pablo Mastroeni insists it all comes down to confidence.
12. BONUS ENCOUNTERS
For anyone craving a little extra Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers action this season, you can check out the first meeting between the Real Monarchs and the Timbers 2 tonight in USL play (9 pm ET, YouTube) in the Monarchs debut game at Rio Tinto stadium.
13. THE GREAT EXPERIMENT
If you’re hoping for the US national team to start earning some more impressive results before the Gold Cup, then you might want to readjust your expectations. Manager Jurgen Klinsmann reaffirmed his plans to use friendlies to experiment.
14. TIMELINE FOR ZELALEM?
Having received his US passport in December, Gedion Zelalem is currently waiting on international clearance from FIFA to play for the US national team. When might he make his first appearance and, just as importantly, at what level?
15. DOES T SWIFT LOVE THE LIONS?
Is Taylor Swift an Orlando City fan? Who knows. But she posed for a picture with Lions defender Sean St. Ledger on New Year’s Eve – long before he signed for the club – and the Irishman has been having a little fun with it.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
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Power Rankings: Did the Whitcaps do enough to earn top spot?
MLS Fantasy Doctor: Take full advantage of the season's first "DGW"
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