Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. D.C. ON THE WRONG SIDE OF A COMEBACK
In a rare change of pace, D.C. United were on the wrong side of a comeback as New York City FC overhauled a one goal deficit to beat United 3-1 (HIGHLIGHTS) Thursday night. NYCFC are hoping that the result can be a turning point in their season, while United are treating their late collapse as a valuable lesson.
2. CAN THE QUAKES END THEIR STREAK?
The San Jose Earthquakes host the Colorado Rapids in Friday night’s Viernes de Futbol game (11 pm ET, UniMas), with the Quakes looking to end a six-game winless streak against a Rapids side that come into the game on the back of two consecutive losses. Can Quincy Amarikwa be the man to drive the Quakes forward?
3. RED BULLS LOSE A MAN AS TORONTO LOOM
The New York Red Bulls will be without Damien Perrinelle for their game against Toronto FC on Saturday (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN2 in Canada) after the MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended the defender for two games. Toronto, meanwhile, look to be getting stronger as new acquisition Herculez Gomez is ready to get to work. Ditto Jozy Altidore.
- IS JONES FIT TO PLAY?
As Jermaine Jones continues to work his way back to fitness, the New England Revolution medical staff are waiting to see whether or not he’s “90 minutes fit” for their game against the Houston Dynamo (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Revs will also be buoyed by reports of a contract extension for head coach Jay Heaps, while the Dynamo will be looking to Giles Barnes to help them make it two wins in a row.
5. FACING FEILHABER
The Vancouver Whitecaps could be forgiven for being a little distracted by thoughts of potentially winning their first Amway Canadian Championship, but they know they’ll need to focus when they visit Sporting Kansas City on Saturday (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN2 in Canada). They’ll be facing an in-form Benny Feilhaber.
6. KEEL KEEN TO RETURN
The LA Galaxy sit just ahead of FC Dallas in the Western Conference standings, and LA captain Robbie Keane is confident that if his side can get a win when the two teams clash on Saturday (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE) it could be a defining point in their season. Stephen Keel hasn’t played for Dallas since last August but the defender remains confident he’ll be able to take to the field again this year.
7. RSL GRAB A NEW DP
Real Salt lake have received a boost ahead of their game against the Portland Timbers (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE) with the signing of new Designated Player Juan Manuel "Burrito" Martinez. The Timbers currently sit five points above the playoff line, but they know the importance of every game they’ve still yet to play.
8. THE SOUNDERS NEW STARS
A lot of attention in Seattle over the last day or two has switched to Panamanian newcomer Roman Torres. But, as the Seattle Sounders get ready to host Orlando City SC (Sunday, 5 pm ET, ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), Garth Lagerwey says Andreas Ivanschitz is just as deserving of the spotlight. As Orlando continue their pursuit of a playoff place, they have a good idea of what they need to do. But one man is keeping things in perspective, with an eye to where it all began.
9. KAKA GETS A CALL UP
As this week’s
MLS Insider
takes a look at the man who makes Orlando City tick
, Kaká has
finally earned another call-up to the Brazilian national team
, with Dunga recalling the Lions’ Designated Player for the first time since last October.
10. TIME FOR A REMATCH
The Philadelphia Union and the Chicago Fire meet on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) for the second time in five days. The Union may have gotten the best of the Fire in US Open Cup action on Wednesday, but they’re currently winless in their last four MLS games. The last-place Fire aren't faring much better, having gone 1-3-1 in their last five games.
11. A DATE FOR DROGBA’S DEBUT?
The Union might want to grab three points this weekend if they can: Their subsequent opponents, the Montreal Impact, are hoping to have new signing Didier Drogba ready for their meeting on Aug. 22. Meanwhile fellow Impact newcomer Johan Venegas is already loving life with his new team.
12. WILL CANADA BOUNCE BACK?
The Canadian national team’s revival suffered a serious blow following their timid display and quick elimination at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Yet Marcel de Jong feels that stumble just gives the team extra incentive to turn things around and prove what they can do in World Cup qualifying action against Belize.
13. NO LOANS FOR SACRAMENTO
The Sacramento Republic, the USL's defending champions, aren’t doing quite as well this year, currently sitting just outside the playoff spots in the USL's Western Conference despite a winning record overall. That could be because of head coach Preki departing for parts unknown, the improvement of other contenders or the fact that they are yet to get a single loanee from their MLS affiliate.
14. A NEW DEVELOPMENT
The ever-growing USL can only be a good thing for player development, and testament to that comes from Chris Tsonis, a former New England Revolution academy player who, after a spell in Iceland, is now back in the US and thriving with New York Red Bulls II.
- BE PATIENT WITH JOHANNSSON
Aron Johannsson could be set to make his Bundesliga debut with Werder Bremen this weekend as the US international looks to make history. However, before anyone gets carried away, club captain Clemens Fritz is cautioning that the striker will need time.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Edu, Union aim for USOC glory | Lagerwey on Sounders’ moves
INFOGRAPHIC: How much does MLS experience matter?
Football vs Futbol in Atlanta: Off Topic with Rachel Bonnetta
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