Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CAN THE US BOUNCE BACK?
The US national team take on Costa Ricatonight at Red Bull Arena (6:30 pm ET, ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMás, UDN) looking for any sort of positive news after their crushing weekend defeat to Mexico. Yet while the US enter the game with a refreshed roster, questions abound regarding the team and its coach.
2. JOHNSON SENT HOME
One player who won’t be representing the US national team tonight is Fabian Johnson, after Jurgen Klinsmann sent Johnson back to his clubin order to "rethink his approach." For one writer, the move prompted the question: Why does Klinsmannpublicly throw his playersunder the bus?
3. ARE MEXICO JUST BETTER?
There’s still a lot of frustration around the US national team's results, and while Klinsmann has much to answer for, is it also fair to wonder whether Mexico are simply a better team? Now that they’ve won the CONCACAF Cup and secured a place in the 2016 Rio Olympics to boot, what’s next for El Tri?
4. OLYMPIC HOPES ON THE LINE
The US and Canada meet in an elimination gametonight at the Under-23 level (7 pm ET, NBC Universo), with the winner taking third place in CONCACAF qualifying and advancing to a March playoff against Colombia for a spot in next year's Olympics. After missing out in 2012, just how important are the Olympicsto American soccer?
5. CANADA’S FINAL WARM-UP
Canada's senior national team, meanwhile, take on Ghana at RFK Stadium (7 pm ET, CanadaSoccer.com) in a final tune-up before their World Cup Qualifying campaign resumes in November. Lucas Cavallini joins the Canadian side after a three-year absence, and the 22-year-old striker is looking forwardto a fresh start.
6. SETTING THE STAGE FOR MLS WEEK 33
MLS is back with Week 33 kicking off on Wednesday. Here's a refresher on how the 20 clubs stack up going into the penultimate matchday of the season. And here's what you need to know to get your Fantasy Manager team set up, especially with unlimited transfers.
7. MANNING THE POST
One of the clubs in action is Toronto FC, who are on the brink of their first-ever postseason berth. In the meantime, they have also named their new president, who says there is no need for a massive overhaul at the club, instead preaching stability and consistency.
8. CASTILLO CATCHES THE EYE
FC Dallas also hosts a match on Wednesday, but all the talk lately has centered around Fabián Castillo, who is now earning minutes for Colombia on top of his MLS accomplishments. If the latest rumors are to be believed, his fine form has caught the attentionof English Premier League side Swansea City, although FC Dallas president Dan Hunt shot down thoughts of a transfer.
9. DEFENDING DUO MISSING OUT FOR ORLANDO?
While Orlando City need to win both remaining games to stand any chance of reaching the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, it looks like they’ll have to make do without two young defenders, at least for the first of those games.
10. MAKING MUSIC IN MIDFIELD
Matt Watson might be plying his trade for the Chicago Fire, but the midfielder’s career could have taken a very different path – had the vegan music producer accepted a record contract while playing for the Carolina RailHawks.
11. PORTLAND'S MINI-PLAYOFF
The Portland Timbers, award-winning philanthropists, visit Real Salt Lake on Wednesday (9:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) in what defender Nat Borchers thinks will be "just like a playoff game." Both teams are fighting for a playoff place, but the Timbers have to follow up with a trip to face the LA Galaxy and a potentially fit Giovani Dos Santos.
12. ATLANTA UNITED IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Atlanta United won't enter MLS until 2017, but the incoming club revealed Monday that their academy will open next year, taking to the field at all age levels in time for the U.S. Soccer Development Academy's 2016-17 season.
13. NO VICE FOR MIAMI
While we still await concrete details about the potential MLS club in Miami, David Beckham has been talking about how he hopesto one day model it after Manchester United. And, no, it won’t be called Miami Vice.
14. MIXED FORTUNES
Don’t write Freddy Adu off just yet. The now-26-year-old former MLS star had a beautiful assistfor the Tampa Bay Rowdies over the weekend. Sadly, there was bad news for another USMNT prospect, as Terrence Boyd suffered a setbackin his recovery from injury.
15. ROCKY ROAD FOR TROPHY
The Colorado Rapids claimed the Rocky Mountain Cup from Real Salt Lake this year, and once again, Colorado Rapids fans have found it in need of repairs.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: A dark day for US Soccer, what does it all mean?
Armchair Analyst: Fabian Johnson’s exile and the state of Klinsmann’s USMNT
Scenarios: What your team needs to make the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs
