Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. REVOLUTION COME OUT ON TOP
The New England Revolution have overtaken the Red Bulls at the top of the Eastern Conference following a 2-1 win against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday (HIGHLIGHTS). Juan Agudelo impressed for the Revolution, which is more than can be said for any of the Red Bulls, with head coach Jesse Marsch labeling his side’s performance their worst of the year.
2. NYCFC CLOSE THE GAP
New York City FC put in a strong team performance on Wednesday, keeping their playoff hopes alive with a 2-0 victory against Toronto FC (HIGHLIGHTS). TFC may now be looking over their shoulder at the chasing pack, but manager Greg Vanney made it clear what his side needs to do in order to secure their first playoff appearance.
3. QUAKES HELD TO A DRAW
The San Jose Earthquakes had to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS) after being unable to capitalize on their man advantage on Wednesday night. With Ambroise Oyongo sent off and most of the Impact's biggest stars left at home, Montreal manager Mauro Biello was more than happy with another point on the road.
4. WHITECAPS GET THEIR FIRST CCL WIN
The Vancouver Whitecaps earned their first-ever CONCACAF Champions League victory on Wednesday with a 1-0 triumph over CD Olimpia. The result puts the 'Caps level on points with the Seattle Sounders in Group F with a game in hand and Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson is pleased with how his side followed the gameplan.
5. BORCHERS SETTLES IN
After being forced to uproot his life in Salt Lake City, Nat Borchers appears to have settled nicely into his new home in Portland. One person who isn't too happy about that? RSL captain Kyle Beckerman, who calls Borchers’ move “one of the worst trades Real Salt Lake has done.”
6. SAURO SET FOR SATURDAY?
While Gaston Sauro was forced to miss last weekend’s game against the Philadelphia Union due to concussion symptoms, the defender has made good progress this week, with manager Gregg Berhalter not ruling him out of Saturday’s game against D.C. United.
7. UNITED RE-UP WITH OPARE, WORKING ON OTHERS
Prior to Tuesday's CONCACAF Champions League match, D.C. United announced that Kofi Opare has signed a contract extension. United might not be done, either, with reports suggesting Opare's not the only player the club are looking to reward with a new deal.
8. COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO UPDATE
As hinted by DC manager Ben Olsen, CONCACAF has confirmed they are considering a possible schedule switch for the CONCACAF Champions League. As for another competition, the possibility of the US hosting the 2016 Copa America Centenario is beginning to look less likely.
9. UNION STILL CHASING BEDOYA
Although a deal for the Philadelphia Union to sign Alejandro Bedoya fell through at the last minute, it seems the club haven’t given up on signing the US international just yet, with SI.com revealing that the club is still in talks with the FC Nantes winger.
10. MULHOLLAND'S LONG ROAD
Luke Mulholland is one of a score of English players making a name for himself in MLS, becoming a mainstay in the Real Salt Lake midfield this year. While other Englishmen left pro careers in the UK to blaze a trail in MLS, Mulholland took a bit of a different route, leaving a life behind at 18 to take a chance at a longshot soccer career in the States.
11. ALL THE WAY TO RENO
As the USL continues its pursuit of second division status with USSF, the league announced a new expansion team for the 2017 season, confirming that Reno will be the league's 28th franchise.
12. CARLOS VELA: A PERSON OF INTEREST
We all know Javier Hernandez was an MLS target this summer, but it seems he wasn’t the only Mexico striker being pursued by the league, as fellow El Tri forward Carlos Vela has suggested clubs were also pursuing him as well.
13. YOU DON’T KNOW DEANDRE
While one US prospect is currently impressing for Sunderland’s U-21s, it may take a while before DeAndre Yedlin can do likewise, with Sunderland Boss Dick Advocaat admitting he doesn’t know enough about the former Seattle Sounder to play him just yet.
14. GET WELL SOON, JOSH
There was more bad news for Joshua Gatt on Wednesday, as the former US national team prospect underwent a third serious surgery on his knee. Somehow, the 24-year-old still remains positive.
15. A DIFFERENT KIND OF AWAY GAME
It’s a profound joy for many grandparents to be able to watch their grandchildren play soccer but, when one granddad could no longer travel across the country to watch his grandson, the grandson decided to come to him, playing a one-off game for a brand new team.
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