Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SEBASTIAN STARS AGAIN
Mark Orlando City as the latest team to fall victim to Sebastian Giovinco, as the Italian maestro put in a “mesmerizing” performance in Toronto FC’s 4-1 win Wednesday night (HIGHLIGHTS). It was a tough night for Orlando and, speaking after the game, head coach Adrian Heath admitted, “This team needs some help.”
2. RED BULLS PLEASED WITH POINT
Despite finishing the game with 10 men after Laurent Ciman picked up a red card on his 30th birthday, the Montreal Impact held out for a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls (HIGHLIGHTS) at Stade Saputo. The result broke winning streaks on both sides, but the traveling Red Bulls were pleased enough with their performance.
3. SOUNDERS BREAK SCORELESS STREAK
The Vancouver Whitecaps had to settle for a point in their first CONCACAF Champions League game following a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders (HIGHLIGHTS) at BC Place. Both teams made major changes to their respective lineups, and while 'Caps manager Carl Robinson praised his side's hard work, a lack of team chemistry may have been their undoing. The Sounders, meanwhile, were just thrilled to end their 433-minute scoreless streak.
4. DOS SANTOS TO DEBUT TONIGHT
The LA Galaxy get their new Champions League campaign underway tonight (10 pm ET, FOX Sports 2) after bowing out in the group stage last season. Their opponents are Central FC, champions of Trinidad & Tobago. But if you’re looking for signs the Galaxy are taking the tournament seriously, Giovani Dos Santos is set to make his debut tonight. The Galaxy also officially added left back Dave Romney on Wednesday, making him the first player from LA Galaxy II to earn a long-term move to the first team.
5. REVOLUTION MEAN BUSINESS
The New England Revolution’s quest for a downtown soccer stadium was in the news after it emerged that the club now apparently has some help as it continues work on its plans. In the meantime, when it comes to on-field matters, Jermaine Jones' future with the club could be decided by his family.
6. VIDEO TESTING ALREADY UNDERWAY
MLS Commissioner Don Garber mentioned during the All-Star break that the league was interested in trialing video replay to review certain calls during games. Those trials could be here sooner than you think, as it seems the league has already been testing the technology in three markets.
7. RUMORS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
The MLS transfer window closes today, and several clubs are still looking to make moves. The Seattle Sounders look to be closing in on Nelson Valdez after the Paraguayan international landed in Seattle on Wednesday, while Sporting Kansas City may be on the verge of agreeing a deal for their next Barcelona protégé.
8. THE DEPARTED
Orlando City parted ways with Martin Paterson on Thursday, agreeing to mutually terminate the striker’s contract due to “personal reasons.” They're not the only team cutting a player either, as Columbus Crew SC waived Kalen Ryden to make room on their roster for Jack McInerney.
9. TIMBERS PUT PRESSURE ON AT HOME
The Portland Timbers are winless in their last four MLS games, and captain Will Johnson knows it’s time for his team to start producing if they want to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs. On Friday, the Timbers host the Chicago Fire (11 pm ET, UniMás in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), with Nat Borchers calling it a “massive” game.
10. ILL DISCIPLINE
The MLS Disciplinary Committee has handed out its latest punishments, issuing a one-game suspension and a fine to Roger Espinoza, who unfortunately will be unavailable for the next two months anyway. The DisCo also added a game to Matt Watson’s suspension and issued him a fine along with Dom Dwyer and Kei Kamara.
11. TOP PRIORITY
Another Lamar Hunt US Open Cup final at Toyota Park? It could well be, after the Chicago Fire won the preference in the draw to determine the hosts. Real Salt Lake and the Philadelphia Union are other potential hosts, but Sporting Kansas City definitely will not have home-field advantage for the final.
12. AMERICAN EXPORTS READY FOR NEW CHALLENGES
While Aron Johannsson completed his move to Germany and was unveiled on Wednesday as a Werder Bremen player, fellow US international Bobby Wood is also looking forward to a new season and a new start in Germany. Emerson Hyndman, meanwhile, looks to be on the move after turning down contract extensions with Fulham.
13. CAN THE USWNT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SUCCESS?
US women’s national team head coach Jill Ellis has been rewarded for the team's Women's World Cup championship with a new, multi-year contract extension. But can that recent World Cup victory translate into sustainable growth for the women’s game?
14. A BRAND NEW LOOK?
Are the US national teams in line for a new logo adorning their shirts? They could well be if this supposedly leaked logo is to be believed. What do you think of the proposed new look?
15. DAILY FAREWELL
Finally, from one daily publication to somebody who has been doing it for far longer, a hearty congratulations to Jon Stewart on his final episode of The Daily Show, taping and airing today. Hopefully his next stop takes him back to his best sports.
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