Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SOUNDERS RETURNING TO FULL STRENGTH?
The Seattle Sounders will be one of only 10 teams in action this weekend, but following their morale-boosting win over the Portland Timbers on Sunday, head coach Sigi Schmid believes this could be the week he’s able to field his strongest XI.
2. TRACKING THE CALL-UPS
The list of international call-ups hailing from MLS continues to grow, with two LA Galaxy players and Columbus Crew SC’s Waylon Francis amongst those joining the increasingly burgeoning list. You can check who your team is missing here.
3. REBUILT RED BULLS
After a season that started with some high-profile departures, the New York Red Bulls have quietly rebuilt themselves into one of the best teams in MLS, at a fraction of the price as well. So just how did they accomplish this feat?
4. THE RAPIDS’ NEXT TEST
The Colorado Rapids may be riding high on the back of three consecutive wins, but while the team enjoys a bye week, a likely shorthanded side will face a tough task almost immediately after the break.
5. FEILHABER’S FORTUNE
He may have missed a Week 26 defeat due to suspension, but there's little doubt that Benny Feilhaber has been Sporting Kansas City’s best player this season. But what is it that’s helping the potential MVP candidate post career numbers?
6. NO MORE NEMEC
Whatever New York City FC decides to try next in order to fix their faltering form, it won’t involve Adam Nemec. On Monday, the club agreed to mutually part ways with the Slovakian forward, who hadn’t made an appearance for the team since July 4.
7. BIELLO’S BIG CHANCE
As Mauro Biello fills in as the Impact’s interim head coach, the Montreal native is keen to try and impress, hoping to do enough to earn the job on a permanent basis. With 11 games left in Montreal's regular season, the playoffs are still very much in reach and Biello believes the team just needs some confidence.
8. IS SHEA SET TO RETURN?
Orlando City may have some good news, as Brek Shea could make his long-awaited return this Saturday when the Lions take on the New England Revolution.
9. RETURNING STARS AND BRAND NEW FACES
As the US national team converges ahead of their friendlies against Peru and Brazil, a handful of influential players are making their return to the squad. Camp also marks a first call-up for Andrew Wooten, with the selection marking a dream come true for the young German-American.
10. GIOVINCO OUT WITH AN INJURY
Looks like Sebastian Giovinco’s “benchmark” call-up to the Italian national team won't go quite to plan, as the Italian international has been ruled out of his country’s upcoming European Cup qualifiers with an adductor injury.
11. CHICHARITO HEADS TO GERMANY
Mexico’s game against Trinidad & Tobago at Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium on Friday is officially sold out. For fans of Javier Hernandez, El Tri matches will be the only opportunity to see Chicharito on US soil for a while as the striker completed a move to German side Bayer Leverkusen on Monday.
12. THE CONCACAF CUP
The Confederations Cup playoff between the US national team and the Mexican national team has an official name now: the CONCACAF Cup.
13. O’NEILL MOVING ON
As expected, Shane O’Neill wasn’t in Cyprus for long, with the former Colorado Rapids defender joining Belgium’s Royal Mouscron-Peruwelz less than a month after signing with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol. Meanwhile, fellow export DeAndre Yedlin is still expected to go on loan, but where?
14. IS HYNDMAN STAYING PUT?
One American Export who doesn’t appear to be on the move is US youth international Emerson Hyndman, with English side Fulham apparently rejecting several offers for the player. With the English transfer window closing today, will a more tantalizing offer persuade the club to let his go?
15. HOLDEN’S BIG NEWS
Stuart Holden’s may have suffered more than his fair share of setbacks on the field, but at least everything else seems to be going well for the former US international. The 30-year-old shared some exciting news on Monday.
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