Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CAN THE IMPACT GAIN SOME SPACE?
The Montreal Impact’s playoff quest takes them to visit the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday evening (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), a road game which offers a quick trip home for Dilly Duka. And while Ignacio Piatti is back with the Canadian club, his status for tonight’s game remains uncertain. We'll see if any of the Red Bulls can score a goal that matches this strike from one of their U-23 players.
2. CAPS SET FOR ABSENCES
Although the Vancouver Whitecaps have not been at their best recently, a win against FC Dallas Wednesday night (10 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) would clinch a playoff berth and potentially take them back to the top of the table. However, to do it, they may have to do without any of their first-choice back four.
3. U-23 MAINTAIN WINNING RECORD…
The US U-23s finished the group stage of Olympic qualifying in style, with goals from Jordan Morris and Real Salt Lake’s Luis Gil helping to secure a 4-0 win over Panama and ensure the US finished their group undefeated.
4. … AND ALSO HELP CANADA
The US U-23s’ win was also enough to ensure Canada advance to the semifinals after a late equalizer meant they were held to a 2-2 draw by Cuba. The two teams will now face either Mexico or Honduras, depending how results go in Wednesday’s Group B finales.
5. A SCOTSMAN FOR THE UNION?
As the Philadelphia Union wind down the current season, amid a big change at the top of the organization, there are a couple of trialists with the club at the moment, including Scottish international James McFadden. Could the former Premier League striker be set to join the MLS side?
6. ORLANDO RECALL A ‘KEEPER
While all the attention is on a potential move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Orlando City have recalled goalkeeper Josh Ford from his spell with the Ft. Lauderdale Strikers to replace Earl Edwards Jr., as the No. 2 goalkeeper is set to miss a few weeks after undergoing knee surgery.
7. BE MORE CLINICAL
For the first time in a while, the Portland Timbers find themselves below the red line. They still have three games to turn things around but, according to Jack Jewsbury, the team’s execution needs to be a lot better if they want to make it happen.
8. ARNAUD’S ABSENCE
D.C. United overcame their late season struggle to secure their playoff place last weekend, but is it fair to say that Davy Arnaud’s injury has affected the club more than any other this season?
9. US FACE QUESTIONS
There's a lot riding on the CONCACAF Cup at the Rose Bowl, which is now just three days away. It's a rivalry that has come a long way over the past 10 years, but there are still some big questions facing the US national team ahead of the game.
10. BRADLEY FOCUSED ON THE PRESENT
The US has recently enjoyed a relatively good run of results against Mexico, but national team captain Michael Bradley is keen to point out that past form means nothing heading into such a big game. Also, if the projected even crowd split has a stronger Mexican influence, that's something that Bradley would look forward to.
11. DONOVAN WANTS ACCOUNTABILITY
What would happen if the US lose to Mexico on Saturday? Given the team's summer results and recent form, former USMNT great Landon Donovan believes manager Jurgen Klinsmann could be on the hot seat if the result goes against his side.
12. CAN MEXICO MANAGE WITHOUT DOS SANTOS?
It’s estimated that Giovani Dos Santos will need three weeks to recover from his injury, which could affect the LA Galaxy heading into the playoffs, but the US are certain that Mexico will get by just fine without him. For their part, the Americans will be without the injured Aron Johannsson, but the striker is confident the team will beat Mexico without him.
13. HAVE MEXICO FOUND THEIR NEW MANAGER?
While Ricardo Ferretti will still take charge of Saturday’s CONCACAF Cup, it looks as though Mexico have found their next manager, with reports on Tuesday suggesting that Juan Carlos Osorio will take over the national team after leaving his post with Brazilian side Sao Paulo.
14. CANADA’S INJURIES
Canada aren’t in competitive action this weekend, which may be just as well as the squad has already lost two players to injury, including the Montreal Impact’s Kyle Bekker. However, one player they do now have is Junior Hoilett, who claims playing for Canada was an easy decision to make.
15. KEANE ON KEANE
Congratulations are due to Robbie Keane, who is currently celebrating the birth of his second child. Will it affect his availability for the Republic of Ireland’s national team this week? Assistant manager Roy Keane seems pretty certain it won’t.
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