Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Opening Salvo
Real Salt Lake remained the league's last unbeaten by claiming the first Rocky Mountain Cup game thanks to a late Joao Plata strike. They managed to shut out the Rapids in part thanks to a heroic Aaron Maund line clearance.
"Herriman Messi"
Seeking "That Herriman Messi", unveiled this weekend their plans for a massive, 42-acre training facility complex in Herriman City, Utah, that will open for academy classes in 2017 and full operational housing of RSL and the Real Monarchs (USL) in 2018. It will include eight fields: one public, four outdoor natural grass and three artificial surface with two of the latter indoors.
Even Steven
Though Los Angeles managed to claw back late for a 1-1 home draw with Portland, Galaxy boss Bruce Arena remains concerned about their uninspired attack.
Challenging Tackle
The main talking point from that contest, if not the entire weekend, was Galaxy midfielder Nigel de Jong's crushing tackle that injured Portland's Darlington Nagbe. The Dutchman says it was a 50/50 challenge, but Fox Sports's Stuart Holden (who knows a thing or two about injurious De Jong tackles) had quite a different opinion on the matter.
Stingy, Stingy
Chicago and NYCFC played to a scoreless draw on Sunday. The result was another confidence boost for the Fire defense.
Late Rally
Seattle grabbed a 1-1 share in Houston, with partial thanks to sparks off the bench.
Sporting Gain
Sporting KC grabbed the top spot in the West with a 2-0 victory over the Red Bulls. Despite the continuation of his early-season slump, New York are standing behind Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Duck Broken
It took six games, but D.C. United finally broke into the win column with a vengeance by routing Vancouver 4-0 on Saturday. The heavy defeat left the struggling Whitecaps searching for a spark.
Farm Kids
On the heels of a 2-2 rally draw with San Jose that included participation from two exciting homegrown players, FC Dallas president assured that more were on the way.
Takeover Talk
D.C. United have confirmed that owner Jason Levien is close to taking over EPL side Swansea City.
Digital Memory
With their own first match 20th anniversary approaching, Sporting KC interviewed former striker Digital Takawira about scoring the club's first goal in that 1996 win over Colorado.
Foreign Market
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has now invited offers for MLS target Fernando Torres. Meanwhile, the agent for erstwhile Celtic winger Derk Boerrigter says is back to fit and up for a move to America.
Breakin' Out The Broom
Julie Johnston scored twice as the USWNT completed a friendly sweep by blanking Colombia 3-0.
Goals, Goals, Goals
On Friday night, red-hot Union Berlin forward Bobby Wood scored twice to set a new standard for goals in a single 2.Bundesliga season by an American with 16. The following afternoon, Fulham youngster Emerson Hyndman celebrated his birthday by by bagging a late winner for his first pro goal. On Sunday, Oestersunds striker Andrew Stadler notched the winning goal and an assist to spark the club's first ever victory in the Swedish top flight.
Junior News
Soccer Insider Steven Goff reports that Borussia Dortmund prospect Junior Flores could be loaned out to MLS this summer.
Lalas on the Air
Fox Soccer's Alexi Lalas has debuted a new podcast, with L.A. boss Bruce Arena appearing as his first guest.
Tunnel Of Love
The Sounders have releaseda video of Clint Dempsey walking the tunnel ahead of Sunday's game in Houston that proves the USMNT star gets plenty of love even when Seattle hits the road.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
In case you missed it: Tranquillo Barnetta's stunning Friday night winner for Philadelphia
Toronot FC II's Malik Johnson scored a memorable first pro goal
