Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CREAM OF THE CROP
The new 24 Under 24 list is out, once again giving MLS fans plenty to talk about. FC Dallas star Fabian Castillocame out on top in this year’s rankings, with this play just one example of why voters selected the recent Colombian international as their top choice.
2. UNITED COMPLETE COMEBACK
D.C. United wrapped up their CONCACAF Champions League group stage with a 3-3 draw against Montego Bay down in Jamaica. It wasn’t the win they were hoping for, but having trailed by three goals at one point, United were more than happy with the way they erased that deficit.
3. FIRE ENTER ERA OF BLISS
The Montreal Impact will look to keep their revival going when they take on the Chicago Fire tonight (8 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). The match will be the first for new interim manager Brian Bliss, who has to manage through season-ending injuries for both Eric Gehrig and goalkeeper Sean Johnson. Could the game also mark a rare start for Patrice Bernier this season?
4. DWYER DREAMS OF USMNT
Sporting Kansas City striker Dom Dwyer will be looking for goals when his side takes on the Houston Dynamo tonight (8:30pm ET, MLS LIVE), especially if he hopes to one day represent the US national team. The Dynamo will also have their work cut out for them against Benny Feilhaber, the latest MLS Player of the Week.
5. CASCADIA SIDES CLASH AGAIN IN CCL
The Seattle Sounders and the Vancouver Whitecaps play each other for the second time in four days tonight (10 pm ET, FS2) in what could prove to be the decisive game of their CONCACAF Champions League group. Despite their heavy defeat this past weekend, the Whitecaps aren’t planning on changing much.
6. CAN THE GALAXY ADVANCE?
The LA Galaxy visit Trinidad and Tobago side Central FC tonight (8 pm ET, Fox Soccer Plus) knowing that a win or draw will secure them top spot in their CONCACAF Champions League group. Despite their recent struggles in MLS, the Galaxy have scored nine goals in their first two CCL games. Can they find their spark again tonight?
7. RETURNING RED BULLS
The New York Red Bulls' chances to make a run in the upcoming playoffs were already looking pretty good, even before news that fullbacks Roy Miller and Chris Duvallcould soon be back with the team. The Wright-Phillips brothers are also once again showing some impressive chemistry, brushing off any talk of a sibling rivalry.
8. PANAMA SUMMONS
Los Canaleros have already named their roster for their October friendlies against Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico, with San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anibal Godoyearning a call-up alongside the Colorado Rapids’ Gabriel Torres. You can track all the MLS players heading off for international duty next month right here.
9. MLS MAKING AN IMPACT
As MLS continues to grow there’s little doubt that it’s helping to improve the US and Canadian national teams. But looking further afield, the rise of players from all across the region also seems to be having a positive effect on other CONCACAF nations as well.
10. MVP TALK
Toronto FC superstar Sebastian Giovinco is obviously a leading candidate for MLS MVP this season, especially if the Italian maestro can help guide Toronto FC to their first ever playoff appearance. But which other players are currently in the conversation? That’s the question asked by ESPN FC.
11. TAB RAMOS STAYING OCCUPIED
Tab Ramos is an increasingly busy man, with the US Under-20 coach now also charged with looking after two new youth teams within the US set-up. With the U-16s and U-19s falling under Ramos’ remit, the coach talked about his growing responsibilities, as well as his own expectations.
12. OLYMPICS IN HIS SIGHTS
October is set to be a busy month for US sides at several levels, not least of which will be the US Under-23s and their Olympic qualifying campaign. Crew SC midfielder Wil Trapp was included in Andi Herzog’s squad for their all-important set of games, and he couldn’t be more thrilled.
13. YEDLIN’S FIRST FOR SUNDERLAND
Good news for US national team fans: DeAndre Yedlin made his debut for Sunderland, earning a start and going the full 90 minutes for his loan side. The bad news? That debut came in a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City. However, Yedlin did get an assist in what proved to be a productive night for Americans abroad.
14. SECOND OPINION ON GUARDADO
With the CONCACAF Cup match against the United States coming right around the corner, it seems Mexico are a little short on trust when it comes to PSV Eindhoven’s injury assessment of their national team captain, Andres Guardado. El Tri are sending their own physio to assess the situation.
15. EA RELEASES MLS COVER
The much-anticipated EA Sports FIFA 2016 game is now in stores and to commemorate the release there's a new MLS-specific downloadable cover and 20 different MLS club-specific covers.
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