Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. CUBO TO START ON FRIDAY VS. PORTLAND?
The Portland Timbers have five home games remaining and, obviously, aim to win all five as they look to secure their playoff spot. First up: the Houston Dynamo on Friday night on national TV (11 pm ET, UniMas in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). Could Erick "Cubo" Torres' earn his first start for the Dynamo?
2. THANKS FOR THE MOTIVATION, GIOVINCO
With just one win in their last five, Toronto FC will look to get back on track when they host Orlando City SC on Saturday (4 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN in Canada). Sebastian Giovinco certainly enjoyed the clubs' last encounter -- scoring three goals -- and his tweet about it is providing extra motivation for the Lions.
3. QUAKES MOMENTUM
Following their Wednesday 5-0 demolition of Sporting Kansas City, the San Jose Earthquakes travel to D.C. United on Saturday (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE) with renewed playoff hopes. United, meanwhile, are coming off a close CONCACAF Champions League win in midweek, yet one that already has their next opponents concerned.
4. CREW SC HOST BACK-TO-EARTH SPORTING KC
Wednesday was a night of firsts for a pair of Columbus Crew SC players, and the side will need more of the same when they take on Sporting Kansas City on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The visitors will hope to avoid a repeat of Wednesday’s result against the Earthquakes, but they'll have to do it without Benny Feilhaber.
5. DROGBA READY FOR MONTREAL DEBUT
The Montreal Impact welcome the Philadelphia Union on Saturday (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE), and Didier Drogba is expected to make his Impact debut. Is the Ivorian star the biggest sports star in Montreal? While Drogba earns the headlines, veteran Justin Mapp could reach a career milestone. The Union, of course, are still smarting from last week's late collapse and know they need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
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6. FIRE & MALONEY TO PART WAYS?
As the Chicago Fire prepare to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (8:30pm ET, MLS LIVE), it looks like they could be making a player move soon, as Shaun Maloney is apparently bound for English side Hull City. The Rapids hope to see big things from Dillon Powers, despite some recent struggles.
7. DEBUT DELAYED FOR SOUNDERS SIGNING
Real Salt Lake host the Seattle Sounders on Saturday (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Former RSL GM Garth Lagerwey -- now with Sounders -- explained how the club worked through their recent slump: "We just had unity and purpose from ownership through the front office down to the coaches." The Sounders took things easy on Thursday after their late CCL win, but it appears an injury could delay the debut of Andreas Ivanschitz.
8. CAPS HAVE LEARNED THEIR LESSONS
It’s an incredibly important week for the Vancouver Whitecapsand, as the side renews its rivalry with FC Dallas on Saturday (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN 1 in Canada). Does the early re-signing of Pedro Morales highlight the lessons learned by the club over the past few years?
9. LA-NYC SUPERSTAR SHOWDOWN
The LA Galaxy and New York City FC meet for the first time ever on Sunday in the weekend's marquee match (3 pm ET, ESPN). The Galaxy have already poked fun at a recent NYCFC photo shoot and Galaxy President Chris Klein opened up about LA's onetime pursuit of Frank Lampard.
10. POKU-MANIA
With all the big names involved in LA-NYC -- Keane, Villa, Gerrard, Lampard, Dos Santos, Pirlo, etc. -- it's astounding how NYCFC's young attacker Kwadwo Poku has stolen some of the spotlight. He has three goals in two games and NYCFC are unbeaten when he starts, but his manager still wants a lot more from him.
11. TORONTO FC BALKS AT USMNT CALL UPS
In USMNT news, World Cup veterans DaMarcus Beasley and Tim Howard are both set to feature in the US national team’s September friendlies. The games -- Sep 4 vs. Peru, Sep 8 vs. Brazil -- come at a busy time in MLS, and Toronto FC are reportedly negotiating to keep two of their players off the call-up list.
12. EXPANSION TALKS
"Discussions are ongoing" between St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minnesota United owner Bill McGuire was the report after the two met on Thursday. Meanwhile, media in Charlotte are discussing the potential financial requirements for an expansion bid in the wake of the recent club valuations list released by Forbes magazine.
13. BOB BRADLEY TALKS SOCCER
Bob Bradley’s Stabaek side currently sitting in second in Norway’s Tippeligaen. In an interview with 8 by 8 magazine he former US national team coach offers his thoughts on Norwegian soccer, as well as the state of US and college soccer.
14. AMERICANS IN EUROPE RISE AND FALL
The Tim Ream transfer saga is finally done as he joins Fulham on a four year contract. Meanwhile, fellow US international Julian Green looks to have been dropped to the Bayern Munich U23 team.
15. FINDING INSPIRATION
While Carli Lloyd has earned a book deal for her starring role at the Women’s World Cup, down at the college level, one University of Virginia star plays every game inspired by a sister who had the sport taken away from her.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: The unlikely story of NYCFC sensation Kwadwo Poku
Armchair Analyst: Breaking down the Supporters’ Shield race
MLS Instagram power rankings | Off Topic with Rachel Bonnetta
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