Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Open Cup-Board
Major League Soccer clubs finally entered Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play on Tuesday night, with three of them seeing off hearty underdog challenges.
Champs Building Steam
After helping Portland oust San Jose in the lone US Open Cup matchup between two MLS clubs in the fourth round, Timbers skipper Liam Ridgewell declared that the champs are just hitting their stride.
Woke Up Just In Time
Not in the mood to put it politely, Real Salt Lake boss Jeff Cassar stated that his team were able to "get their heads out" and pull off the late rally from 2-0 down that saw them past Open Cup challengers Wilmington.
Late Magic
The LA Galaxy used a bit of stoppage time free-kick smarts to see off pesky Open Cup underdogs La Maquina on Tuesday night.
Wednesday's Slate
No less than a dozen more MLS teams will enter the US Open Cup fray on Wednesday and we've got the game previews for you.
Getting Primed
United States manager Jurgen Klinsmann and goal monster Clint Dempsey both believe that the fans in Seattle can be their 12th man when they battle Ecuador on Thursday for a place in the Copa America Centenario final four. Plenty of Sounders players and fans in the Emerald City believe they can get that job done - and more.
Closing Up Shop
Group D winners Argentina wrapped up the first round of Copa America Centenario games by topping Bolivia 3-0. In the early contest, defending champs Chile booked their ticket to the quarterfinals with an entertaining 4-2 defeat of Panama.
Days They'll Never Forget
Prior to closing out group play, Leo Messi and Argentina spent two days training with the Seattle Sounders academy players, giving those youngsters the thrill of a lifetime.
Can The Lion Roar?
The Chicago Fire's latest foreign recruit, Michael de Leeuw, who was introduced for the first time on Tuesday, assures that he will do the business in the Windy City.
Almost Back
Among other NYCFC notes, Empire Of Soccer reports that midfielder Federico Bravo is expected back by the end of the month.
Picking Up Droppers
Swedish site SvenskaFans has come up with a list of players from relegated European clubs that could be quality pickings for an MLS side. Their No. 1 choice? United States netminder Brad Guzan.
Hot-lanta Gossip
Incoming expansion Atlanta United has reportedly made a bid for San Lorenzo winger Hector Villalba. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has continued their series looking at potential transfer targets by weighing the pros and cons of signing Club America's US defender Ventura Alvarado.
Nag, Nag, Nag
More bad news for Aron Johannsson and Werder Bremen fans: due to a confounding hip injury, the US international won't be ready for preseason and as such is expected to miss the start of their new campaign.
School Dance
Fun fact: Just before he scored his first US goal in the Bolivia friendly, Christian Pulisic was let out of Copa America prep camp to attend his prom back in Pennsylvania.
Accam Gives Back
During the international break, Fire ace David Accam traveled to his native Ghana to open a community field in Kumasi, the city where his career began.
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