Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. US FALL TO MEXICO
The United States' hopes of reaching the FIFA Confederations Cup were dashed on Saturday, when they lost to rivals Mexico 3-2 in extra time in the CONCACAF Cup at the Rose Bowl. The result left many questioning the USMNT’s progress under Jurgen Klinsmann, but Klinsmann says he's "not here to be liked. I'm here to do a good job." He also hopes the painful defeat will lead to improvement.
2. CREDIT TO MEXICO
On the other side, the Mexico side was impressive. Many observers gave manager Ricardo Ferretti’s tactical tinkering the nod for their success, and even the US players admired Paul Aguilar’s match-winning golazo.
3. MOVING ON & NEW USMNT CALL-UPS
The US national team now crosses the country to prepare for Tuesday’s friendly against Costa Ricaat Red Bull Arena (6:30 pm ET, ESPN, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes). Five new players, including four from MLS, were called in for the match, while eight others were released back to their clubs.
4. OLYMPIC DREAM NEARLY DASHED
To make things worse for the Yanks, on Saturday, the U-23 national team lost their CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship semifinal against Honduras, 2-0. Despite a strong group-stage campaign, the American side fell flat when it mattered most, leaving their Olympic dreams hanging by a thread.
5. CANADA'S OLYMPIC BID
The US U-23s will now face Canada in the 3rd-place match after the Canadians fell 2-0 to Mexico, the current Olympic champions. The Canadians feel they learned some valuable lessons against Mexico, lessons that could help them against the US. The winner of the 3rd-place match will take on Colombia in an Olympic qualifying playoff in March 2016.
6. IMPACT NEAR PLAYOFF SPOT
The Montreal Impact opened up a four-point gap on Orlando City in the race to the red line, and, in doing so, increased their chances of securing a playoff spot, thanks to a 1-0 road win over the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday. A long free-kick goal from Didier Drogba and a vital late save from Evan Bush did the business against the Rapids’ young side.
7. TORONTO FC HIRE NEW PREIDENT
Bill Manning, former president of Real Salt Lake, was announced as the new president of Toronto FC on Monday. Manning called TFC "one of the most important franchises in MLS."
8. GHANA ADD SOME MLS STYLE
Ghana will face Canada in an international friendly on Tuesday at RFK Stadium (7 pm ET), and while there are plenty of new faces in the Canadian camp, including Charlie Trafford, Ghana’s squad includes some new names, both of whom are familiar to MLS fans the New York area.
9. AKINDELE BULLISH ABOUT CANADA
With FC Dallas’ place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs already secured, Tesho Akindele is focused this week on helping Canada against Ghana. The young forward is confident the Canucks will do well in World Cup qualifying this time around.
10. RESURGENT SHEA STAYS HAPPY
Orlando City's Brek Shea is one of the replacement players called into the US national team squad this week. And although he is supended for the Lions' match vs. NYCFC on Friday, he is once again enjoying his soccer.
11. NEMETH SHINES FOR HUNGARY
Sporting KC forward Krizstian Nemeth led the way for MLSers in international play over the weekend, striking twice for his homeland, Hungary, but his side fell 4-3 to Greece in Athens. LA Galaxy's Robbie Keane featured for Ireland in their loss to Poland.
12. USL FINALISTS SET FOR FRIDAY SHOWDOWN
The stage is set for the the USL Championship game, with the Rochester Rhinos hosting LA Galaxy II this Friday. The Rhinos secured their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Louisville City, while "los Dos" edged OKC Energy FC, 2-1, in front of more than 7,000 fans.
13. UNION REVEAL ANNOUNCEMENT DATE
Speaking of the USL, mark down October 27 as the date when we will find out the name, colors, and logo of the Philadelphia Union’s new affiliate club in Bethlehem.
14. 2016 COPA AMERICA UPDATE
The on-again, off-again Copa América Centenario appears to be on again, with reports suggesting that the US federation is getting closer to a deal that will see the one-off event held in the United States.
15. SEATTLE'S BARNSTORMING PAST
Each summer, international clubs descend on our shores for high-profile friendlies. But 30 years ago, the Seattle Sounders' precursor did some soccer traveling the other way.
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