Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. DEMPSEY SETS SEATTLE-PORTLAND RIVALRY RECORD
Clint Dempsey’s lone strike in the Seattle Sounders' 1-0 win over the Portland Timbers (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday made him the all-time top scorer in meetings between the two fierce rivals. The Timbers defense was impressive, but were let down by a late-game lapse and an uninspired offense.
2. TFC GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS
Toronto FC broke their four-game losing streak with a 2-0 win at Orlando City (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday. Jozy Altidore struck both goals, while Sebastian Giovinco continues to be "the guy who can drive us." Meanwhile, the Lions remain winless at home, and head coach Adrian Heath couldn’t defend his side’s performance.
3. RED BULLS STILL UNBEATEN
The New York Red Bulls remain undefeated this season following a 1-1 draw with the LA Galaxy (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday. Despite coming back from an early Bradford Jamieson IV goal, the Red Bulls were frustrated by the result and felt they "had the better of the game."
4. FANTASTIC FOURS FOR DYNAMO, SKC
To score four goals in a game and not come away with a win is pretty devastating, yet that’s how both the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City felt following a wild 4-4 draw between the two rivals (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday night that included a red card, several stunning goals, and a dramatic finish.
5. FINLAY RAMPING UP FOR CREW SC
Ethan Finlay scored his first two goals of the season as Columbus Crew SC slammed the Philadelphia Union on Saturday (HIGHLIGHTS), and afterward said “this is just the beginning.” On the other side, Union head coach Jim Curtin didn't mince his words about an “unacceptable” defeat.
6. ROLFE STARS FOR UNITED
D.C. United had to turn to their 3rd-string goalkeeper no had to turn to their 3rd-string goalkeeper but Chris Rolfe's late golazo held in a 2-1 win over the 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps (HIGHLIGHTS) at BC Place on Saturday. The loss is the Caps' second at home this year, but head coach Carl Robinson isn’t concerned about the club’s home form.
7. AN ATTACKING REVOLUTION
Real Salt Lake struggled to find any positives in their performance in Saturday's 4-0 defeat to the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS), who have now put together a six-game unbeaten streak thanks to an attack that has come together.
8. RAPIDS FIGHT BACK VS. FCD
The Colorado Rapids rose to the challenge from their coach in a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas (HIGHLIGHTS) thanks to a late equalizer from Nick LaBrocca. After a red card to Blas Pérez, Dallas ended up doing well to hold on for a point, getting a 4-save performance from Dan Kennedy in his first start for the club.
9. CHICAGO'S BEST YET TO COME
Be warned, MLS defenders: Despite the Chicago Fire’s David Accam scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS) and looking dangerous all night, the Ghanaian striker says the best is still to come. NYCFC were hurt by an early red card to Andrew Jacobson and multiple injuries, but the players are keeping the faith.
10. IMPACT PREPPING FOR CCL FINAL DECIDER
Stade Olympique will look amazing for the second leg of the Montreal Impact’s CONCACAF Champions League final (Wednesday, 8pm ET, FOX Sports 2) against Club América, especially with the crowd boosted past 61,000 by the sale of additional seats on Monday. It should set a fearsome environment to welcome Club América, who fought out a 1-1 draw on Sunday with bitter rivals Chivas Guadalajara.
11. MONTREAL GOALKEEPER LOAN TALK
The Impact are entering the second leg with some injury and availability concerns, the most notable of which is goalkeeper Evan Bush's suspension. Reports on Sunday had the Impact looking for short-term loan options, including perhaps Chicago's Sean Johnson. But on Sunday, those reports were shot down.
12. OPEN CUP KICKS OFF
The preliminary round of the US Open Cup was played on Saturday, with Cal FC and Harpo’s FC winning amateur playoffs to join the rest of the competitors in Round 1.
13. CHICHARITO BACK TO CHIVAS?
Oft-rumored MLS target Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez has rediscovered his form in Spain, striking two more goals for Real Madrid on Sunday. And according to Chivas de Guadalajara owner Jorge Vergara, there is an agreement in place that will see Chicharito finish his career back with the Mexican side where it all began.
14. US NATIONL TEAM BALANCE
With age-group World Cups at the Under-20 and Under-17 levels this year, the Gold Cup this summer, and U-23 Olympic qualifying in October, the US national team program faces challenges to find a balance between all the different sides. So just how do the coaches find the right balance?
15. LATEST FROM USL
While the New York Red Bulls II lost 2-0 to the Rochester Rhinos and both Toronto FC II and FC Montreal fell to defeats, there was good news for the LA Galaxy II and the Portland Timbers 2. The Seattle Sounders 2 and the Vancouver Whitecaps 2, meanwhile, split the points in a 1-1 draw.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Analyst: Progressing towards the mean, planning for the future, and other Week 8 thoughts
Transfer Watch: Red Bulls chasing Liverpool defender Kolo Toure?
US Open Cup: San Francisco City FC bring supporter-owned soccer to the City by the Bay
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