Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. PLAYING FOR PRIZES
Toronto FC take on the New York Red Bulls tonight (7 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) with a lot on the line. Toronto can secure their first playoff berth with a win, while the Red Bulls could clinch first place in the Eastern Conference and close in on the Supporters' Shield if they come out on top.
2. DALLAS EYE TOP SPOT IN WEST
FC Dallas face the Vancouver Whitecaps for the second game in a row on Wednesday (9 pm ET, TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) with their sights set on the top spot in the Western Conference. Kekuta Manneh is hoping to rediscover his form with the ‘Caps, which would be timely as the team’s injury concerns take hold.
3. WHO’LL MAKE THE CUT?
With three games still to go, the Portland Timbers are still fighting for their playoff spot, determined not to miss out like they did last year. However, so too are Real Salt Lake, their opponents on Wednesday night (9:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), with Javier Morales stating, “I think nobody on this team wants to go home.”
4. USMNT MISERY CONTINUES
There was yet more misery for the US national team, as they lost 1-0 to Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena (HIGHLIGHTS) on Tuesday night. There were very few positives to take from the game and, while the US promise improvements, there doesn’t seem to be an immediate solution to their problems.
5. WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
The result left head coach Jurgen Klinsmann responding to questions about his future with the national team, but is the problem entirely down to the German? Could some of the trouble lie in what The Guardian refers to as “the slow death of high school soccer.”
6. FABIAN JOHNSON: ATTITUDE OR INJURY?
What’s happening with Fabian Johnson? Less than a day after Klinsmann declared he had sent the player home from camp to "rethink" his approach, Johnson’s club Borussia Monchengladbach released a message saying that the US international is suffering from a thigh injury.
7. RIMANDO'S ROLE IN PASADENA?
Goalkeeper Tim Howard stepped back in as No. 1 for the US national team on Tuesday. However, had things gone according to plan for Klinsmann, RSL 'keeper Nick Rimando may have featured briefly in the game against Mexico, not that the Real Salt Lake ‘keeper knew anything about that beforehand.
8. US U-23S KEEP OLYMPIC HOPES ALIVE
There was one piece of good news for US Soccer on Tuesday, as the US Under-23s beat Canada 2-0 to finish third in CONCACAF Olympic qualifying and keep their hopes of reaching the tournament alive. Now Andi Herzog’s side face an Olympic playoff against Colombia.
9. CANADA FIGHT FOR A DRAW
Canada’s senior team enjoyed a far more successful night than their US neighbors, going toe-to-toe with African side Ghana and earning a 1-1 draw at RFK Stadium (HIGHLIGHTS). The game also marked international debuts for New York City FC's Kwadwo Poku and the New York Red Bulls' Lloyd Sam, who performed a solid initiation dance prior to the game.
10. GIOVINCO CONTINUES TO DAZZLE IN EUROPE
There were plenty of other MLS players in international action on Tuesday, and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco came off the bench to help Italy score two goals and secure their place in the 2016 European Championships.
11. MARTINS SET FOR INTERNATIONAL RETURN
Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei certainly appreciated the bye week that most teams experienced over the weekend, taking the time to recharge during what he calls a long, grueling season. However, that season could be getting even longer for Obafemi Martins, as the striker is apparently set to return to the Nigerian national team.
12. ORLANDO’S NEWEST TEAM
Orlando City are set to make a formal announcement regarding their new USL team on Thursday, but it looks like we now know where the team will be based, with the MLS-operated side reportedly set to play in Melbourne, Florida, at Eastern Florida State College.
13. MOVING ON UP?
While the Philadelphia Union’s affiliation with the Harrisburg City Islanders may be coming to an end, could one of the USL side’s best players be set for a shot in MLS?
14. THE IMPACT’S SECRET HERO
The Montreal Impact are on the verge of securing a return to the MLS Cup playoffs, and while Didier Drogba and his fellow attacking players may be earning a lot of the credit right now, could goalkeeper Evan Bush be the club’s greatest unsung hero?
15. KITS WITH COLOR
October is Hispanic Heritage month, and to celebrate that fact, one design blog has reimagined a number of MLS kits with a more Latin flavor. Speaking of new kits, could the US national team be set to adopt black for their home color next year?
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