Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. D.C. COOKING
In case you missed it, D.C. United continued to establish their credentials as one of the best teams in MLS, even if they were made to work for it a little harder this time around. They would eventually pull out a 2-1 home win against Orlando City, despite trailing for much of the match after Canadian rookie Cyle Larin staked the visitors to an 11th-minute lead. Kofi Opare leveled in the 70th minute and Chris Rolfe showed the Midas touch he's been sporting of late to hand United all three points.
2. MONTREAL'S KNOCKOUT CREDENTIALS
Say what you will about their MLS form (or maybe it's better left unsaid), but it's impossible to deny that the Montreal Impact know how to handle a knockout competition. Fresh off their run to the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final, the Impact lost the second leg of their Amway Canadian Championship semifinal to Toronto FC, 3-2, but thanks to an 84th-minute goal from Dominic Oduro, they advanced via the away-goals rule, having won the first leg, 1-0.
3. TOUGH NIGHT OUT FOR YOUNG 'CAPS
Things weren't as rosy for the Vancouver Whitecaps in their ACC first leg. Granted, they didn't lose, but after weather in Edmonton forced a reversal of the two legs, a young 'Caps side could only manage a 1-1 draw against visiting FC Edmonton. Carl Robinson's side now face a tough task as they travel to Edmonton needing at least a scoring draw to keep their hopes of a first Voyageurs Cup alive. The NASL side, meanwhile, have a chance to win their first semifinal series in Canadian Championship play.
4. FIRST ROUND IN THE BOOKS
The First Round of the 2015 US Open Cup is in the books, and there were plenty of memorable matchups between some of the nation's top amateur teams. Perhaps the evening's most thrilling encounter came between 2012 surprise package Cal FC and PDL powerhouse Ventura County Fusion, who took a 3-3 draw to extratime and penalties. There was no Cinderella ending for Cal this time, though, as the Fusion would triumph, 6-5, in a dramatic shootout. The Second Round is now set for May 20, as USL teams – including both MLS-operated teams and MLS affiliates – enter the fray.
5. THE WAIT IS OVER
USMNT fans got some long-awaited good news on Wednesday evening, as US Soccer president Sunil Gulati revealed that Arsenal starlet Gedion Zelalem had been cleared to represent the Stars and Stripes, thus completing the 21-man roster for the 2015 Under-20 World Cup. Fans who aren't avid followers of the English youth soccer scene will finally get a chance to see the 18-year-old in action starting May 29, when the US open group play against Myanmar.
6. NEW YORK STATE OF MIND: We're just a little over 24 hours away from a succulent Viernes de Futbol doubleheader on Univision Deportes Network (UDN). It starts at Yankee Stadium, where New York City FC and head coach Jason Kreis still believe they can get all three points against the visiting Chicago Fire (7 pm ET -- watch a preview here) and finally bring an end to their current eight-game winless streak. The other New York team, the Red Bulls, travel to Frisco (9 pm ET), where they'll have their hands full against FC Dallas danger man Fabian Castillo. Don't believe us? Just watch this FutbolMLS.com profile (in Spanish).
7. MLS AT COPA AMERICA
The Gold Cup won't be the only international championship with MLS representation this summer. On Wednesday, Jamaica named a Copa America roster that includes six MLSers. D.C. United forward Michael Seaton, currently on loan at Orebro SK in Sweden, is also in the Reggae Boyz squad. Also in the running are Orlando City DP and Brazil midfielder Kaka and Philadelphia Union striker Fernando Aristeguieta, who is currently in camp with Venezuela.
8. MLS TO VISIT ST. LOUIS
MLS executives, including Commissioner Don Garber, will visit St. Louis next week to meet with local business people and political officials to discuss possible expansion opportunities. One local commenter says "there's plenty of room, and passion, for MLS futbol" in St. Louis.
9. REFEREE ALAN KELLY SETTLES INTO MLS
Irishman Alan Kelly is in his third season as an MLS official, and despite the snow in Boston this winter, he's perfectly content with his decision to come to America. In this interview, he discusses his desire to learn more Spanish and the one rule he would change.
10. MLS RUMOR MILL CHURNS
With the summer window on the horizon, there's no shortage of MLS transfer chatter, all of which Rachel Bonnetta maps out right here. No time for that? Here are some names to keep an eye on: Genoa FC’s Marco Borriello, Wigan winger James McClean and even Champions League finalist Carlos Tevez. Oh, and it seems the interest isn't a one-way street, with Perry Kitchen getting looks from the old continent as well.
11. ARENA CLARIFIES DISCOVERY COMMENTS
Galaxy head coach and general manager Bruce Arena wasn't thrilled about the timing or the way the signing of Sebastian Lletget materialized and he was not shy about sharing his opinion. Now in a conversation with Goal.com, Arena clarified his position, emphasizing "no one’s a bad guy in this" and acknowledging the new system speeds up the process.
12. BRAD FRIEDEL HANGS UP HIS GLOVES
Brad Friedel won't finish his career at home after all, as the 43-year-old Tottenham goalkeeper announced he will retire at the end of the Premier League season. Friedel, who played for the Columbus Crew from 1996-97 before signing for Liverpool, plans to dabble in media work while completing his coaching licenses and serving as a club ambassador for Spurs.
13. FOX REVEALS WWC ANNOUNCING TEAMS
FOX's broadcasts of next month's Women's World Cup will feature a Who's Who? of women's international soccer, including former USWNTers Angela Hucles, Cat Whitegall, Aly Wagner and Danielle Slaton, plus former CanWNTer Christine Latham.
14. IF YOU BUILD IT...
2020 is a big year for USL. That's because the league plans to house all its clubs in soccer-specific stadiums by then, an initiative driven in large part by a multi-year partnership with the global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm HOK. HOK was behind Avaya Stadium in San Jose and are leading the charge to build Atlanta's multipurpose stadium.
15. RSL STARTS THEM EARLY
Real Salt Lake has one of the top academies in MLS, with the club’s teams at their residential setup in Casa Grande, Ariz., consistently contending for US Soccer Developmental Academy titles. RSL took a step to further their youth program last year, starting a U-12 team in Utah to feed into their main academy in Arizona. Here’s a look at the story behind the team, which is coached by RSL president Bill Manning and travels around the country – all at the expense of the club – to take on some of the top youth teams in America.
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The Prospect: Cyle Larin can take the heat (WATCH)
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