Here are the top 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. SOUNDERS' BALANCING ACT
The Seattle Sounders' game against the Colorado Rapids tonight (10pm ET, MLS LIVE, match preview) marks a rare double-game week for the Sounders, leading to some interesting selection questions for head coach Sigi Schmid. As for the Rapids, they might be concerned that Schmid has enjoyed more success against them than any other team.
2. KEANE UNCERTAIN
Despite making a triumphant return on Saturday, Robbie Keane doesn’t feel he’s guaranteed to start for the LA Galaxy against Real Salt Lake tonight (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE, match preview), but draftee Ignacio Maganto has taken full advantage of the Galaxy’s injuries absences and is grateful for the opportunity. RSL, meanwhile, having returned to winning ways on Saturday, are looking to get through a tough away spell to see out May.
3. VALERI OUT AGAIN?
D.C. United are the guests at Providence Park tonight for their midweek game against the Portland Timbers (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE, match preview), and while the visiting team currently leads the race for the Supporters' Shield, the hosts are once again having to contend with the absence of Diego Valeri.
4. TFC TO GIVE KIDS A CHANCE
Toronto FC are also in action today as they take on Manchester City at BMO Field, and TFC head coach Greg Vanney sees the game as a good opportunity to gauge how some of his younger players fit into the team. Columbus Crew SC are also in action in the first batch of midseason friendlies, hosting Valencia at MAPFRE Stadium.
5. OPEN CUP RETURNS
The Third Round of the US Open Cup also takes place today, with teams from the NASL now entering the fold. Yet the biggest game could well be S2 vs. T2 (4 pm ET, watch live) - not that Sigi Schmid will be able to watch it. Yet for all the big stories, spare a thought for Chula Vista FC, who are fundraising to try and cover travel expenses for their game against Sacramento Republic.
6. ANOTHER ATTACKER FOR DALLAS
FC Dallas announced a new signing on Tuesday, adding yet another midfield option to their lineup in the form of 33-year-old Panamanian Rolando Escobar, whom technical director Fernando Clavijo described as “a player that can fit in anywhere in the midfield.”
7. GOOCH FOR NYCFC?
Could New York City FC be close to adding a veteran US international to their lineup? Possibly, as Oguchi Onyewu was spotted training with the club on Tuesday and, while the defender had a similar spell with D.C. United last summer, some are suggesting this could be something more.
8. ORLANDO’S OPTIONS
With Brek Shea suspended for Orlando City’s game against Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, head coach Adrian Heath is left with some interesting choices regarding his replacement. Luckily, Luke Boden’s strong return has ensured that problem isn’t at left back.
9. TURNER TO TOULON
Orlando City will also have to make do without two US youth internationals on the back line. After Conor Donovan was added to the US roster for the U-20 World Cup, Tyler Turner was added to Andy Herzog’s U-23 squad for the Toulon Tournament, which gets underway this afternoon with the US opening against hosts France (1pm ET, BeIN Sport).
10. TWO DONOVANS IN NEW ZEALAND
As the US U-20s continue preparations for their first game of the U-20 World Cup, against Myanmar late Friday night, the squad received a visit from a very special guest on Tuesday. Looking ahead to Friday’s game, though, who’s likely to make the USA starting lineup?
11. BROKEN TOE CAN’T STOP FINLAY
Columbus Crew SC fans received some bad news on Tuesday: Influential winger Ethan Finlay has broken his toe. The good news? He isn’t planning on letting that stop him from playing. Meanwhile, a former Crew SC (and ex-Real Salt Lake) player is helping shape Bob Bradley’s Norwegian revolution at Stabaek.
12. FORMER MLS COACH HEADS TO BRAZIL
Another former MLSer, ex-Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, has a new gig, taking over famed Brazilian club Sao Paulo about one month into their season. Since leaving MLS, Osorio has coached Once Caldas in his native Colombia, Puebla in Mexico and, most recently, Atlético Nacional, also in Colombia.
13. FIFA OFFICIALS INDICTED BY AUTHORITIES
In world soccer headlines, a press conference was held on Wednesday morning in Brooklyn, where US authorities announced indictments of nine FIFA officials and five sports marketing executives for racketeering, conspiracy and corruption charges. Seven soccer executives were arrested in Switzerland by local authorities in connection with the charges.
14. WHO’LL GET THE CALL?
Germany have announced their squad for the upcoming friendly against the US and a European qualifier against Gibraltar, with some fairly big absences from the reigning World Cup champions' roster. The US will announce their own squad soon enough, but could injuries lead to recalls for some of the national team’s forgotten forwards?
15. INTERESTING DEVELOPMENTS
As the USL continues to grow, so too does its relationship with MLS, with both leagues hoping their affiliation can help take youth development to the next level.
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