Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. RED BULLS TOP NYCFC
Early bragging rights in the New York derby go to the New York Red Bulls thanks to a 2-1 victory against New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS) on Sunday. NYCFC are now winless in eight, and David Villa, who – much to his own frustration – was pulled early in the second half, says "we've hit rock bottom." The Red Bulls, meanwhile, were thrilled with the home support and their own fighting spirit after going down to 10 men.
2. UNHAPPY HOMECOMING FOR TORONTO FC
After a seven-game road trip, Toronto FC finally returned home on Sunday opened the renovated BMO Field in front of a record crowd. The only problem? TFC dropped a 2-1 result to the Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS). Reds boss Greg Vanney said there were "no excuses" for his side's lackluster performance, while Houston coach Owen Coyle gushed over forward Giles Barnes: "Every time he gets on the ball, I get excited because of the pace and power he's got."
3. PERFECT PONTIUS IN DC
Is Chris Pontius back to his best? He certainly looked it during D.C. United's 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday, but the player himself thinks he's still got a little ways to go. The result stretched United's unbeaten run to a league-high seven games, while SKC, despite missing a few good opportunities, were happy enough with the result.
4. CREW SC DELIVER A STATEMENT
Though they impressed everyone with their 3-2 win over the high-flying Seattle Sounders on Saturday (HIGHLIGHTS), Columbus Crew SC aren't getting carried away. Head coach Gregg Berhalter called the victory "business as usual." The loss was a bit of a wake up call for the Sounders, who acknowledged they looked a little frail at the back.
5. FC DALLAS KEEP PACE IN THE WEST
Crew SC weren’t the only ones to send a message this weekend. FC Dallas scored a big three points in a 2-1 win over the LA Galaxy (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday. Mauro Diaz (two assists) quite rightly was showered with praise, but Galaxy head coach Bruce Arena shouldered the blame for his side’s late collapse.
6. NEW 'KEEPER, SAME RESULT FOR PHILLY
The Philadelphia Union's goalkeeper carousel turned again last week, and the weekend didn't bring any changes to the club's fortunes, as the Union fell 3-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday (HIGHLIGHTS). Though on-loan goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was a bright spot, the Union dropped their fourth straight match. The Caps, meanwhile, turned on the attacking flair, and got a game-changing save from David Ousted.
7. ORLANDO FIGHT BACK VS. NEW ENGLAND
For the second time this season, Orlando City battled back from a two-goal deficit, pulling out a 2-2 draw against the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS) on Friday. Lions head coach Adrian Heath saw the result as indicative of his side's playoff bona fides, but the Revs, who extended their unbeaten streak to eight games, called their performance "some of our best stuff and some of our worst stuff, all in one."
8. QUAKES FINISH WELL ON THE ROAD
The San Jose Earthquakes finished their three-road-games-in-eight-days stretch with a 1-1 draw at the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS) on Friday. They're looking forward to getting home. Home isn't quite the happiest place for the Rapids, after another slow start extended as their home winless run to 11 games.
9. BUILDING BLOCK FOR RSL
Real Salt Lake got their first win in six games on Saturday, notching a 2-1 victory at the Chicago Fire (HIGHLIGHTS) that RSL captain Kyle Beckerman thinks will give his team "something to build off of." The defeat was the second-straight for the streaky Fire, whose inability to find a final pass cost them once again.
10. VALERI RETURNS IN STYLE
Diego Valeri marked his return to the Portland Timbers starting lineup in style on Saturday, scoring a "special" goal to help the Timbers to a 2-1 win away to the Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS). It's not the result the Impact wanted in their return to MLS action, and head coach Frank Klopas says something has to change.
11. DE ROSARIO CALLS IT A DAY
Canadian and MLS legend Dwayne De Rosario has officially retired. He announced it on Sunday via Instagram. DeRo goes down as one of most honored players in MLS history and will now take up a role as an ambassador for his hometown club, Toronto FC.
12. KEEPING AN EYE ON CANADA'S FUTURE
While De Rosario transitions into his post-playing career, plenty of eyes at TFC and in Canada will be on the future this week, as the next generation of Canadian stars rubs shoulders with some of Europe's finest.
13. SACRAMENTO REIGNS IN USL
Sacramento Republic showed just why they’re the defending USL champions this weekend, notching a 3-0 win against Western Conference challengers Seattle Sounders 2 on Saturday. Things weren’t any better for the other two MLS-owned sides in action, as New York Red Bulls II lost 2-1 to the Harrisburg City Islanders and Toronto FC II fell 1-0 to the Rochester Rhinos.
14. KLINSMANN ON AMERICAN PLAYERS
Jurgen Klinsmann did a Q&A with FIFA.com and touched on a lot of his recent talking points, including the difficulties of transitioning to "more eye-to-eye proactive style," to his goals at Russia 2018, to the best qualities of American players: "They are open minded and hungry. They want to learn. They are like sponges."
15. HALL OF FAME IN...THE POCONOS?
Could the Poconos become an essential destination for fans of US Soccer? It’s certainly a possibility, as a development group has reportedly approached the US Soccer Federation about building a new US Soccer Hall of Fame in the northeast Pennsylvania vacation destination.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Armchair Analyst: Chemistry lessons and other week 10 thoughts
Valeri makes his comeback and the ‘Caps run wild | Plays of the Night
Tab Ramos chats U-20 World Cup with MLSsoccer.com guest host Calen Carr
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