Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. RED BULLS WIN, STILL SEARCHING FOR THE KEY
The New York Red Bulls moved a step closer to winning the Eastern Conference and potentially the Supporters' Shield with a 2-1 win over the 10-man Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS) on Wednesday night. Yet despite the result, the Red Bulls feel they still need to work out how to better unlock tough defenses. The loss means the Impact remain just one point above Orlando City, but Montreal remain confident they will be playoff-bound.
2. FC DALLAS BACK ON TOP
The Vancouver Whitecaps became the third team in the Western Conference and fifth overall to secure a place in the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs following a 0-0 draw with FC Dallas (HIGHLIGHTS). The point also moved FC Dallas back to the top of the Western Conference and, with the playoffs approaching, they were pleased with their defensive display.
3. BWP STAYS CONSISTENT
While he may not have posted the almost-record-breaking numbers he did last year, Bradley Wright-Phillips has still enjoyed another solid season of production for the New York Red Bulls, one which compares favorably with some previous Golden Boot winners.
4. BUILDING BRIDGES, BREAKING BARRIERS
Questions remain over what the exact split will end up looking like between US and Mexico fans at the Rose Bowl on Saturday for the CONCACAF Cup, but for a significant portion of those in attendance, the crowd may also be an indicator of a changing dynamic.
5. OSORIO CONFIRMS HIS NEW JOB
It seems that Mexico have indeed found their new manager, as former MLS coach Juan Carlos Osorio himself confirmed the appointment on Wednesday. Yet, in the present, the team have suffered another blow ahead of Saturday with the news that José Juan Vázquez will miss the game with an injury.
6. MEMORY LANE
Michael Parkhurst knows a thing or two about facing Mexico and, although he may not be in the squad for Saturday, the Columbus Crew SC defender has shared some of his favorite memories. One player who is in the squad, though, is a former Columbus player, Brad Evans, with this week’s training camp in Irvine providing a sort of homecoming for the Seattle Sounders captain.
7. BOB BRADLEY FOR SUNDERLAND?
Amid all the coaching rumors in England at the minute, one suggestion making the rounds links Bob Bradley with the vacant Sunderland job. That may just be hearsay at this point, but Norwegian side Stabaek have confirmed they won’t stand in Bradley’s way should an offer come in.
8. A NEW CHALLENGE FOR EZRA
The season may be over for the Seattle Sounders 2, but head coach Ezra Hendrickson won’t be getting a rest, as the USL team coach has been named an assistant coach for the St Vincent & the Grenadines national team ahead of the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
9. DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE TAKES ACTION
Diego Valeri was fined by the MLS Disciplinary Committee after the Portland Timbers star attempted move Sporting Kansas City’s Kevin Ellis off the field toward the end of their encounter last Saturday. Both teams were also cited for mass confrontation.
10. NO CALL-UPS FOR KEI
While the
list of international call-ups
continues to grow, with
two FC Dallas players the latest to be named
, one player who won’t be joining them is Kei Kamara, with the Columbus Crew SC striker explaining
why he won’t be answering the call from Sierra Leone for a while
.
11. BERHALTER’S BUILDING
The Columbus Crew SC have undergone a massive transformation since Gregg Berhalter took over prior to the 2014 season, and that change now goes all the way from the first team down to the newly revamped academy, which announced a new staff in place to help fulfill the team’s vision.
12. MORE OPTIONS FOR CANADA
As the playoff picture continues to take shape for the three Canadian MLS teams, so too does the national team’s outlook ahead of the next round of World Cup qualifying, with 20-year-old Fraser Aird the latest to get his foot in the door.
13. PENEDO OPEN TO RETURNING
It seems that, after some time to reflect, Jaime Penedo regrets the way he left things with the LA Galaxy and, while the club seems to be getting on just fine with Donovan Ricketts in goal, the Panamanian has said he would be open to a return to the reigning MLS Cup champions should a suitable contract offer appear.
14. U-23s LEARN THEIR OPPONENTS
As Jordan Morris shows that collegiate soccer remains a valid route to the US national team, the US and Canadian U-23 national teams both know who they’ll face in the Olympic Qualifying semifinals, with Canada set to meet Mexico after El Tri beat Honduras 2-1 to secure top spot in their group, leaving the US to take on the defeated runners-up.
15. REMEMBERING MUNICH
With the US potentially one game away from a place in the Olympics, it’s perhaps a good time to look back at Shep Messing’s journey with the US to the 1972 games, a trip of a lifetime marred by its proximity to tragedy.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
