Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. RSL’S STRONG CCL START
Real Salt Lake got their CONCACAF Champions League campaign off to a good start with a 1-0 win over CSD Municipal down in Guatemala City (HIGHLIGHTS). Joao Plata scored the only goal of the game while Nick Rimando pulled off some fantastic saves to help ensure a key road win for RSL.
2. CAN CYLE LARIN MAKE HISTORY?
Toronto FC host Orlando City tonight (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN in Canada) just hours after the club shot down reports that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be taking over as manager. The Reds have also waived striker Bright Dike, but all the focus tonight will be on Orlando forward Cyle Larin, who hails from a Toronto suburb, and his pursuit of history. Can the rookie set a new record while in his home country?
3. MARSCH RETURNS TO MONTREAL
Wednesday’s match-up between the Montreal Impact and the New York Red Bulls (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE) will mark Jesse Marsch’s first trip back to the Canadian city as a coach since parting ways with the Impact at the end of 2012. Didier Drogba isn’t expected to feature for the Impact tonight, but the New York Red Bulls players could be boosted by the signing of their new Designated Player.
4. CASCADIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE CLASH
The Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Sounders meet for the second time in five days on Wednesday (10 pm ET, Fox Sports 1) in their first CONCACAF Champions League clash. The two have been trading barbs ahead of the encounter, but the Sounders have added a fresh new signing to their roster, with a possible second soon to follow. The 'Caps, meanwhile, have not only MLS Player of the Week Pa-Modou Kah in tow, but also recently returned Jamaica star Darren Mattocks, who’s keen to kick on and win something.
5. DOS SANTOS AND THE GALAXY LOOK TO THE FUTURE
Giovani Dos Santos was introduced to the press on Tuesday and, while the LA Galaxy's new star will wear Landon Donovan’s No. 10 jersey, the Mexican star is hoping to create his own, incredibly successful, history with his new club. So are the Galaxy for that matter, setting their sights on becoming the first MLS team to win the CONCACAF Champions League.
6. JACK MAC’S NEW CHALLENGE
Today is Jack McInerney’s birthday. The striker was caught off guard by his trade from the Montreal Impact to Columbus Crew SC yesterday, but now that it’s happened, the 23-year-old is looking forward to a fresh start. The move already puts Crew SC’s roster over the limit, but is the team from Ohio looking to make one more addition?
7. MALONEY’S IN DEMAND
With their strike force becoming increasingly crowded, the Chicago Fire have parted ways with Brazilian forward Guly Do Prado. It also seems an English club is looking to try and pry Designated Player Shaun Maloney away from the Fire.
8. FERNANDEZ'S LONG GOODBYE
While Gaston Fernandez may be gone now, it seems he departed the Portland Timbers on good terms, penning this letter to the fans and drawing praise from manager Caleb Porter and captain Will Johnson. The Timbers are winless in their last four games now, but according to goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey, it’s all about confidence. The Timbers and Sounders traded jibes on Tuesday, but check out these shoes inspired by the Cascadian rivals.
9. HAMID NEARING A RETURN?
Following their 6-4 win at the weekend, D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen is focusing on getting his team back to their defensive best. Could that task be aided by the imminent return of goalkeeper Bill Hamid? Meanwhile, although Miguel Aguilar continues to impress United staff in training, his road to citizenship remains complicated.
10. RAPIDS LOOKING FOR A DEFENDER?
The Colorado Rapids' three-game winning streak came to an end of Saturday, but as the club looks to get another one started against Columbus Crew SC this Saturday, could the club be looking to bring in a defensive reinforcement?
11. VERMES WANTS A REF APOLOGY
Peter Vermes was not pleased with the officials following what many considered a blown call towards the end of Sporting Kansas City’s game with the Houston Dynamo. And while the SKC coach has heard from the league about the incident, he’s unhappy that the referee still won’t admit he was wrong.
12. ATLANTA’S GRAND PLAN
With a site now confirmed, Atlanta United have shown off renderings for their new training complex, with team president Darren Eales claiming, “This will be one of the top training grounds in MLS in the country.”
13. CHARLOTTE JOINS THE CONVERSATION
The city of Charlotte is determined to be a part of the MLS expansion conversation and it looks like they’ve gotten themselves noticed. Jim McPhilliamy, managing partner of the USL’s Charlotte Independence, feels buoyed by recent, informal conversations with the league--but it seems there’s still plenty of work to do.
14. JOHANNSSON MAKES HIS MOVE
Aron Johannsson is heading to the Bundesliga after AZ Alkmaar accepted Werder Bremen’s second offer for the US international. There could be another player from the US Gold Cup roster on the move as well, with Queens Park Rangers apparently interested in Tim Ream. However, that deal is starting to look less likely.
15. HEADS OR TAILS FOR THE USOC?
Don’t forget that the coin flip--now an envelope-opening--to determine the host of this year’s US Open Cup final takes place today at 12 pm ET and you can stream the whole thing on YouTube or USsoccer.com. While you’re waiting for that, don’t forget to vote for your Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month for July.
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