Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. GALAXY LOOK TO CONTINUE STRONG START
The LA Galaxy take on Guatemalan side Comunicaciones in the second group match of their CONCACAF Champions League campaign tonight (10 pm ET, FOX Sports 2). Manager Bruce Arena is looking to make it two wins from two in LA's final home game of the group stage, suggesting that Giovani Dos Santos will once again feature for the Galaxy.
2. QUAKES SUFFER A BIG LOSS
The San Jose Earthquakes were hoping their win over the Colorado Rapids could kickstart a playoff push, but they suffered a blow on Monday with news that left back Jordan Stewart is out for the rest of the season with a torn Achilles tendon. Manager Dominic Kinnear didn't mince words about the injury's impact, calling it “a big loss”.
3. BWP BACK TO HIS BEST?
He may not be on course to score a record-equalling 27 goals again this year but, with Saturday’s goal taking his season tally to 11, Bradley Wright-Phillips is once again starting to look like the striker who menaced MLS so effectively in 2014.
4. GOMEZ’S PREFERRED CHOICE
Herculez Gomez made his Toronto FC debut on Saturday, coming on in the 71st minute of their 3-0 loss at the New York Red Bulls. The striker will be hoping things improve in his next outing, revealing that he turned down a bigger offer for the opportunity to once again play in MLS.
5. ZARDES DRAWS INTEREST
Gyasi Zardes has had a breakout year on the international level in 2015 and a number of European clubs, including Belgian side Genk, are now believed to be looking at the LA Galaxy striker. And this morning there is news that English clubs may be in the mix.
6. OLYMPIC QUALIFYING DRAW TODAY
We're only a few weeks away from the kickoff to the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament which will be played on US soil from Oct. 1 through Oct. 13. The USA and Canada will find out the path to make it to Rio 2016 at noon ET today (WATCH it live here).
7. FISHER FINDS HIS WAY
Perhaps one of the unsung heroes from the Seattle Sounders convincing win over Orlando City on Sunday was Oniel Fisher, the versatile rookie whom Sigi Schmid identified as being of use to the squad way back in preseason.
8. KORB RULED OUT
D.C. United's Supporters' Shield hopes took a dent on Monday with the news that Chris Korb is out for the remainder of the season after suffering an ACL tear in his right knee during United’s 3-1 loss to New York City FC.
9. MAIDANA LEADS THE WAY
They couldn't pull out a win against the Chicago Fire, but Cristian Maidana had a big day for the Philadelphia Union on Sunday, notching three assists to set a new club record with 14 helpers on the season. The Argentine playmaker’s contributions are being noticed, drawing plenty of praise from both his teammates and coach.
10. U-17 WORLD CUP PREP CONTINUES
The Under-17 World Cup is just a couple of months away, and US U-17 head coach Richie Williams is busy prepping for the tournament, including seven players from MLS clubs and academies in his squad for the Vaclav Jezek Tournament in the Czech Republic. The Americans will kick off the competition today, facing off against Russia.
11. YANKS IN LONDON
Tim Ream is apparently on the verge of joining English Championship side Fulham, whose U-21 side suffered a defeat against Arsenal last Friday thanks to a game-winning goal from US youth international Gedion Zelalem.
12. ZELALEM TO SCOTLAND?
Speaking of Zelalem, there's talk this morning that he may be nearing a loan deal geared to get him first-team games and experience. Find out the name of the Scottish club that is apparently making a run for the American.
13. KLINSMANN’S LATEST DUAL-NATIONAL TARGET
If the latest reports out of Germany are to be believed, we could soon be seeing another German-American called up to the USMNT. It seems that 25-year-old Andrew Wooten is tearing up the 2. Bundesliga, reportedly catching the eye of Jurgen Klinsmann, who may be eyeing the Sandhausen striker for a September call-up.
14. BRITISH INVASION
Argentina may be the No. 1 talent exporter to MLS, but England isn't far behind, sending the second-most players of any country to the league. What's making so many Englishmen cross the pond? Sky Sports has a few theories.
15. THE ROAD TO PROVIDENCE
Five members of the USWNT were named to FIFA’s World Cup All-Star squad on Monday and, for those still competing in the NWSL, they now know exactly where the league’s championship game will be held.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
10 minutes With: USL President Jake Edwards
Instant Replay: Another look at that wild finish in Philly
ExtraTime Radio: Drama in Week 24, plus a chat with DC's defenders
Get the Kick Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
SELECT YOUR FAVORITE CLUB
Atlanta United FC
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting KC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
I don't have a favorite team
