Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. ALL-STAR GAME RETURNS TO THE BAY
The AT&T MLS All-Star Game will take place in San Jose, the league announced on Thursday. The San Jose Earthquakes will host the marquee match in their brand-new Avaya Stadium. It'll be the first time San Jose has hosted the All-Star Game in 15 years.
2. CAN SPORTING KC EXTEND THEIR RUN?
Sporting Kansas City will look to extend their five-game unbeaten run when they host FC Dallas tonight at Sporting Park (9 pm ET, UniMás in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). To do so, SKC will have to not only overcome another raft of injuries but also find a way past FC Dallas’ midfield iron man, Victor Ulloa.
3. QUAKES LOOK TO ADD TO UNBEATEN STREAK
Like SKC, the San Jose Earthquakes are also on a five-game undefeated run. They're hoping to keep it going this weekend, and think that they'll be able to if they cut out some of their mistakes when they visit Toronto FC on Saturday (5 pm ET, TSN4 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). TFC could use some of their youngsters, who were blooded in Wednesday's midweek friendly.
4. WHITECAPS READY FOR RSL
Despite their mini-slump, the Vancouver Whitecaps are happy with where they stand in the Western Conference standings. With Mauro Rosales back from another injury and a brand new turf installed at BC Place, the ‘Caps will look to get back to winning ways against Real Salt Lake on Saturday (6 pm ET, TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). RSL, meanwhile, hope not to "give away goals" the way they did on Wednesday.
5. CAN NYCFC END THEIR SLUMP?
Winless in their last 10 games, New York City FC will host the Houston Dynamo on Saturday (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). There might be a light at the end of the tunnel for Jason Kreis' side, as there finally appears to be a timeframe for Frank Lampard’s arrival. The Dynamo were expected to play a friendly vs. Manchester City on Thursday, but the match was cancelled due to the storms that have ravaged Texas.
6. UNITED’S NEW SIGNING
D.C. United will face the Philadelphia Union for the second time in two weeks on Saturday (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Union squad will feature C.J. Sapong, whose recent off-the-field troubles have had a big impact on him, while United’s lineup will include a very special new signing.
7. CREW SC TO TAKE THEIR CHANCES VS. ORLANDO CITY
After giving younger players playing time in their midweek friendly vs. Valencia, Columbus Crew SC will get back to business when they play at Orlando City SC on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). With the Lions roster once again seriously depleted, veteran midfielder Eric Avila is making the most of his opportunity.
8. FIRE SET FOR TOUGH SPELL
The Chicago Fire’s home game against the Montreal Impact on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) will feature a different sound after the club unveiled a brand new DJ and music director for their 2015 home games. They'll need a high-energy playlist this weekend: Saturday's contest marks the first of a busy stretch. The Impact line will most likely be led by Jack McInerney, who responded to some of his critics this week.
9. CAN TIMBERS MAKE IT TWO IN A ROW?
The Portland Timbers' midweek win against D.C. United may have tempered frustrations, but it didn't move Portland above the playoff "red line." They'll look to climb into the West's top six on Saturday, when they face a Colorado Rapids side looking to bounce back from their midweek loss at Seattle (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
10. FREI’S FOCUS IN SEATTLE
On the field, Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei knows he has to be perfect, which is why, away from soccer, he has a hobby which encourages him not to be. His side will host the New York Red Bulls on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) and one of Frei’s jobs will be to stop Mike Grella, the journeyman forward who seems to have found a home.
11. MLS CUP REMATCH
The final match of the weekend will be a heavyweight rematch of MLS Cup 2014, with the New England Revolution set to take on the injury-plagued LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on Sunday night (7pm ET, Fox Sports 1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). Revs star Jermaine Jones will be back in the midfield for New England, who aren't buying into the pregame hype ahead of Sunday night's encounter.
12. READY FOR THE WORLD CUP?
The U-20 World Cup gets underway tonight and, with the tournament having served as a launching pad for the careers of many MLS stars past and present, there are many reasons to be excited about this year’s tournament. The US get underway at 12 midnight ET, when optimistic head coach Tab Ramos and his team will face off against Myanmar in Group A action.
13. OLYMPIC HOPEFULS LOOKING TO GET BACK ON TRACK
The Toulon Tournament continues over the weekend and, with the US U-23s having been dealt a reality check against France in their opening game, Andi Herzog’s side will be looking to bounce back when they take on the Netherlands today (11 am ET, BeIN Sport) before facing off against potential Olympic qualifying opponents Costa Rica on Sunday (11 am ET, BeIN Sport).
14. FIFA ELECTION
Despite this week's events, the FIFA presidential election is taking place today in Zurich. Closer to home, CONCACAF has once again found itself having to select new leadership.
15. THE DARK ART OF FREEKICKS
How exactly do MLS's freekick masters perform their magic?
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Jordan Allen on Landon Donovan’s New Zealand cameo + World Cup expectations
After year in flux, Shaq Moore ready for leadership role with US U20s
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