Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Backs To The Wall
The US national team is facing both a CONCACAF showdown and a must-win situation in Tuesday night's Copa America tilt with Costa Rica (8 pm ET on FS1, UDN, UniMás). Forward Bobby Wood says there can be "no excuses" if they wish to advance from the group stage, declaring that they simply need to get the job done. The editors have tackled the question of whether or not Clint Dempsey should remain in the lineup, while our Nicholas Rosano makes a case for starting both Darlington Nagbe and Christian Pulisic.
Sweet Home Chicago
Chicago is not just the town US Soccer headquarters calls home. It's also the city where the USMNT has won five of its last seven, including a pair of Gold Cup final triumphs. If you're in Chi-Town, we've compiled a list of tailgates and viewing parties for Tuesday's match.
Also In Group A
Tuesday's other Copa America match will see Colombia take on Paraguay (10:30 pm ET on FS1, UDN, UniMás). The early Group A leaders come into the game trying to downplay their status as one of the tourney favorites.
Full Blas
The salutes for Blas Perezcame in waves from Panama after his brace, which included the 87th-minute decider, led the Canaleros to a historic Copa America win over Bolivia on Monday. It was all enough to put Panama boss Hernan Gomez on the verge of happy tears.
Argentina Downs Champs
With Lionel Messi sidelined, Argentina got their Copa America adventure off to a fine start by topping holders Chile 2-1 on Monday night. More good news for the Albiceleste: Messi could return for their second group game against Panama.
Copa USA?
According to ESPN Deportes, Copa America coming stateside could become a quadrennial event.
Star Trek
From humble beginnings in the game, Philadelphia Union 'keeper Andre Blake has now arrived at his chance to become a Jamaica star at Copa America.
Power Hitters
Seattle made the biggest jump in our MLS Power Rankings, while Real Salt Lake breached the top five.
Fire Fight?
A report from Africa claims that the Chicago Fire are set to do battle with Alfredo Morales's Ingolstadt (and perhaps a pair of Russian suitors) over Ghana defender John Boye. Back in the Windy City, Chicago Fire Confidential got comments from GM Nelson Rodriguez and head coach Veljko Paunovic about several pressing matters, including the situation surrounding Gilberto, the arrival of new recruit Michael de Leeuw and various injury outlooks.
More Personnel Talk
A report has outed future MLS expansion side Minnesota United as the club chasing a reputed target, South Africa netminder Darren Keet, with an eye toward MLS.
Walker, Mexican Ranger?
Reporters on both sides of the border say Liga MX side Atlas are interested in FC Dallas defender Walker Zimmerman.
Friendly Meeting
If you're a fan of the Canadian national team, maybe you can squeeze in a stream of Canada's first-ever match against Uzbekistan in Austria, which kicked off at 10 am ET. You can watch it here.
Battery Charge
The owner of USL's Charleston Battery has his sights set on joining MLS someday.
Who Said It?
Several Colorado Rapids players struggle to differentiate between quotes uttered by their head coach Pablo Mastroeni and lines from Game Of Thrones.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
Herculez Gomez talks Copa America on ExtraTime Radio
The latest edition of Club & Country dissects the USMNT lineup
Who made our all-time MLS South American best XI?
