Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
- NEW YORK BRAGGING RIGHTS
Despite taking an early lead through Tommy McNamara, New York City FC were left to lament a second-half collapse as the New York Red Bulls fought their way back to secure a 3-1 victory in the second New York derby (HIGHLIGHTS). The match saw a crowd of more than 48,000 that included incoming DP Frank Lampard, Italian international Andrea Pirlo -- who appears closer to signing with NYCFC -- and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale.
2. NYCFC LOSE GAME, BUT WIN SOCIAL MEDIA BATTLE
While New York City FC may have fallen to their rivals on the field, they did win the social-media battle for control of the Empire State Building in the lead-up to the match.
3. TIMBERS PUT THE HURT ON SOUNDERS
Darlington Nagbe played the lead on Sunday as the Portland Timbers thumped their Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle Sounders, 4-1, on Sunday night. (HIGHLIGHTS). It would be easy for the Sounders to point to their absent DPs as a reason for the heavy defeat but head coach Sigi Schmid said there were plenty of other things at fault.
4. CASTILLO SPEEDS DALLAS TO RIVALRY WIN
Fabian Castillo was back to his best on Friday night, helping FC Dallas to a 2-0 victory over Texas rivals the Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS). Both goals came in the first 45 minutes, with the Dynamo the first to admit they didn’t play well in the first half.
5. DC STOP GIOVINCO
Despite having plenty of opportunities to win the game, Toronto FC were more than pleased to take a point in a 0-0 encounter with Eastern Conference-leading D.C. United (HIGHLIGHTS). Having completely failed to contain Sebastian Giovinco in their previous encounter, United were delighted with the way they dealt with the Italian maestro this time around.
6. IMPACT LEAVE POINTS ON THE TABLE
While the Montreal Impact were happy with a point on the road in a 2-2 draw against the Philadelphia Union (HIGHLIGHTS), the Canadian side did feel they could have snagged all three. Meanwhile, Union youngster Erik Ayuk's performance embodied both sides of the beautiful game.
- WHITECAPS STILL LEARNING
The Vancouver Whitecaps' 2-1 win over the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS) marked their third consecutive road victory and put them on top of the Western Conference. But head coach Carl Robinson still feels his players have “a lot to learn.” The result left the Revs mired in a three-game losing streak, though the team are staying positive.
8. SHOTS EQUAL GOALS FOR SKC'S NEMETH
Krisztian Nemeth made MLS history on Saturday, becoming the first player to convert his first seven shots on goal in a single season. His latest goal helped Sporting Kansas City to a 2-0 win over the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS). The Rapids, meanwhile, have become all too familiar with losses in KC.
9. DID YOU SEE RSL'S SET-PIECE GOAL?
Twice Real Salt Lake held a lead over Columbus Crew SC and twice they let it slip, resulting in a 2-2 draw (HIGHLIGHTS). The result left RSL with work to do, but Crew SC boss Gregg Berhalter was thrilled by his players' "very good effort." Today, most people are still marveling at RSL's perfect set-piece routine on Olmes Garcia's goal.
10. GOODSON & QUAKES SHINE IN CALIFORNIA CLASICO
Clarence Goodson came up big for the Quakes at both ends of the field as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated their rivals LA Galaxy, 3-1, in front of a massive crowd at Stanford Stadium (HIGHLIGHTS). The win means the Quakes at 4-1-4 in their last nine matches, and it extended the Galaxy's road winless streak to 16 games.
11. WWC: US MARCH ON, CANADA BOW OUT
Having put in their best performance in some time, one goal was all it took for the US women’s national team to overcome China and set up a semifinal encounter with top-ranked Germany. Hosts Canada did not have the same good fortune, falling 2-1 to England. Still, the Canadians depart the tournament with plenty of positives.
12. NO MORE QUINCY TIME IN CHICAGO
While rookie Matt Polster is emerging as an important part of the Chicago Fire’s midfield this season, the club made a move over the weekend to reinforce their backline, trading forward Quincy Amarikwa to the Earthquakes in exchange for Ty Harden.
13. MEXICO STRUGGLE IN FLORIDA
As Mexico continue their preparations for this summer’s Gold Cup, they were held to a 2-2 draw against fellow CONCACAFians Costa Rica in a friendly on Saturday at Orlando City’s Citrus Bowl.
- RUMOR HAS IT…
In the latest round of transfer rumors, Netherlands-based US international Aron Johannsson sees a move to MLS in his future, Sporting Kansas City are said to be pursuing a Chelsea midfielder, and ESPN's Taylor Twellman claims a couple of big-name Mexican could be in the mix at some point.
15. #LOVEWINS
In a week in which a former MLS player came out and LA Galaxy's Robbie Rogers, the only openly gay male player in any of the North American major leagues, reflected on a changing culture, the Supreme Court's historic ruling in regards to marriage equality, prompted a number of players and teams to share their thoughts. SKC's Dom Dwyer even sent one proud fan home with a souvenir on Saturday.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Steven Gerrard touches down in LA to begin new adventure with the LA Galaxy
Analyst: Breaking down the good, the bad, and the ugly of Week 17
Cristian Maidana reunited with his dog thanks to some help from social media
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