Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE IN CALI CLASICO
Heineken Rivalry Week kicks off on Friday: The San Jose Earthquakes renew their California Clasico rivalry with the LA Galaxy tonight (11 pm ET, UniMas in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) and both teams enter the game in great form. The Quakes cite multiple reasons for their revitalized offense, while the Galaxy’s big stars are looking forward to a tougher challenge. Just don’t talk to them about the Supporters’ Shield.
2. CAN NYCFC BOUNCE BACK?
New York City FC will be looking to rebound from last weekend’s crushing loss to LA when Columbus Crew SC come to town on Saturday (4 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Expect another big crowd at Yankee Stadium, especially when you see that NYCFC players are out delivering tickets, too. Meanwhile, Crew SC are finally starting to see some production from their reserves.
3. 401 RIVALRY: NOW WITH ADDED URGENCY
Canada's fiercest cultural and sporting rivalry ignites when Toronto FC
host the Montreal Impact
on Saturday (4 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). This latest
league encounter
between the two sides perhaps might prove the most important one yet. And while the Impact look to bounce back from their crushing Amway Canadian Championship defeat, a major question is
what formation
TFC will deploy.
4. PLENTY OF POSITIVES FOR UNION AND REVS
Heading into the Philadelphia Union’s home clash with the New England Revolution on Saturday (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE), head coach Jim Curtin faced some tough questions from a very special group of reporters. Things seem to be looking up for the Union, though, with Fabinho growing into an important role out wide and Sebastien Le Toux embarking on another scoring streak.
Things are also going well for the Revs, as Jermaine Jones is once again feeling at home, Lee Nguyen seems to be staying put and head coach Jay Heaps is starting to build a legacy.
5. LAST CHANCE SALOON AT CITRUS BOWL?
As Orlando City get set to welcome the Chicago Fire (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), both teams will be missing a player as they try to keep their flailing postseason hopes alive. For the Fire, it's now-former Designated Player Shaun Maloney, who was officially transferred to Hull City on Thursday. Meanwhile Orlando will do without suspended defender Rafael Ramos after their red card appeal was denied.
6. WHITECAPS KEEN FOR MORE SUCCESS
As the Houston Dynamo look to bounce back from a tough midweek loss at Colorado, their lives won’t get any easier on Saturday when they play against the freshly crowned Canadian champions, the Vancouver Whitecaps (9 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). With the ‘Caps having finally won a trophy, they’re keen to kick on and add more to the collection. Just ask Russell Teibert.
7. CAN DALLAS TURN THINGS AROUND?
FC Dallas have slipped slightly off the pace recently, having lost their last three MLS games, and the North Texans will look to get back on track against Real Salt Lake on Saturday (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE). FCD will likely have a new top scorer this season. RSL, meanwhile, have a new general manager, with Craig Waibel officially moving over from technical director, and he shared some thoughts on the team’s immediate future.
8. WILL OPARA RETURN TO SKC THIS YEAR?
While a pair of Irish Internationals are helping the Colorado Rapids enjoy another revival, they’ll face another tough test when Sporting Kansas City come to town (Saturday, 9 pm ET, MLS LIVE). SKC are looking all but certain to make the playoffs and they’re confident they can get defender Ike Opara back on the field in 2015.
- CAN SOUNDERS BREAK A RECORD?
The Seattle Sounders host the Portland Timbers in a massive Cascadia rivalry match on Sunday (4:30 pm ET, ESPN in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). If you’re in the area, you could help make history. The Timbers are hoping to continue the Sounders' recent misfortune, though, and will turn to newcomer Lucas Melano to help keep the goals flowing.
10. ATLANTIC CUP RETURNS
The New York Red Bulls host D.C. United in an Atlantic Cup clash on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). The rivalry was described by John Strong as one of the top two in MLS on the most recent ExtraTime Radio and here are the top 10 moments that helped shape this I-95 grudge match. Will the Red Bulls have another achievement to laud at their recently announced second town hall meeting?
11. CANADIAN CALL-UPS
With two crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Belize coming up, Canada has named its squad for the games. And to the surprise of no one, both Cyle Larin and Tesho Akindele have made the roster, along with seven other MLS players, including the return of Will Johnson.
12. NO PLACE FOR GIO
Much like the US national team, Mexico have two friendlies before October's all-important Confederations Cup playoff. Yet with interim manager Ricardo Ferretti naming his roster for those games, it seems there’s no place in his team for Giovani Dos Santos.
13. SPLIT DOWN THE MIDDLE
As for that Confederations Cup playoff game itself, the game is taking place at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles and CONCACAF has
released ticket information
to ensure a fair distribution between the two supporter bases.
14. NO BRADLEY FOR THE US?
The US national team's roster for their upcoming friendlies against Peru and Brazil is expected to be announced this weekend, but we know one player who won’t be on the squad for the first match. Michael Bradley is set to sit out the match in DC.
15. “THE NEW NORMAL”
This season’s National Women’s Soccer League is drawing to a close, with Seattle Reign FC having already secured the regular-season title at home. But what does the future hold for the league?
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