Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. DOS SANTOS TO MISS CONCACAF CUP
Mexico will be without LA Galaxy star Giovani dos Santos for Saturday's CONCACAF Cup match vs. the United States. Dos Santos picked up an injury in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Seattle and was removed from the El Tri roster on Monday.
2. US U-23S WRAP UP GROUP PLAY
The US Under-23s face Panama today at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in their final group game in the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship. The Yanks have already clinched a berth in the semifinals, helped greatly by the center-back pairing of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Matt Miazga.
3. CANADA IN WITH A CHANCE
Meanwhile, the Canadian U-23s are in second place in Group A and face a struggling Cuban side in their final match. A win will see them through to the semis, and head coach Benito Floro believes the players "are in a good mentality."
4. BROADCAST NEWS
Lots of TV news on Monday. First, MLS revealed the flex-schedule for nationally broadcast games for Week 33, taking place between October 16-18. Also, MLS announced a new partnership with Fox Sports Latin America to broadcast games across Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
5. BALLON D'OR MLS-BASED NOMINEES
Two MLS stars are reportedly included in the initial list of nominees for this year's FIFA Ballon d'Or Award, according to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo.
6. ORLANDO CITY AND ZLATAN?
Orlando City are making headlines for their inspring quest to make the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, despite the fact that they are at the mercy of others. The Lions are also in the news for something else: a Zlatan-sized transfer rumor.
7. BARNES’S BLESSING
Having overcome a series of career-threatening injuries, Giles Barnes credits his move to the Houston Dynamo with helping him become the man and the player he was destined to be. Now, the English-born Jamaican international has his sights set on helping the Reggae Boyz qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
8. LAWRENCE BACK IN TRAINING
Kemar Lawrence is back in training for the New York Red Bulls after missing Saturday's win against Columbus Crew SC due to personal reasons, but the defender remains a doubt for Wednesday night’s clash with the Montreal Impact (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Red Bulls also have a new face among the coaches on Wednesday night.
9. SALT LAKE STILL FIGHTING
Real Salt Lake’s playoff hopes are, somehow, still alive, and the club face an absolutely crucial match against the Portland Timbers next week. Their destiny is not in their hands entirely, but “we’re going to do our very best to make a push,” head coach Jeff Cassar says.
10. ALTIDORE AT THE READY
According to Toronto FC and US interantiaonl striker Jozy Altidore, the past two years have been the toughest of his career both on and off the field. But now the problems are behind him, and he is able to focus on soccer again.
11. WONDO’S FINAL CHANCE?
Could the CONCACAF Cup represent Chris Wondolowski’s last game with the Stars and Stripes? The San Jose Earthquakes star certainly seems to be treating it that way, and he plans to make the most of his chance.
12. YEDLIN’S TOUGH TIMES AT SUNDERLAND
DeAndre Yedlin earned his first Premier League start for Sunderland on last Saturday, then, on Sunday learned that the club had fired its manager, meaning the US international may have to start all over again with a new boss.
13. AZTEX SET FOR SABBATICAL
The Austin Aztex are set to miss the 2016 USL season as they continue their efforts to secure a soccer-specific stadium after their previous home was ravaged by flooding in May.
14. FINANCIAL IMPACT IN SACRAMENTO
As Sacramento Republic FC continue their efforts to land an MLS expansion franchise, the club released a new study showing the positive financial impact that a new privately backed soccer stadium could have on the local economy.
15. THE HISTORY OF SOCCER IN ATLANTA
2017 MLS expansion club Atlanta United FC will be the latest team to carry soccer's banner in the Southern metropolis, a city whose soccer rooots go back more than 100 years.
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