Kick Off: New star emerges for Union | Rapids impress | USA face Colombia

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

Tricky Treat

Roland Alberg bagged Philadelphia's first hat trick since the club's home opener over six years ago to spark the East leaders to a 4-3 triumph over visiting Chicago on Wednesday night.

Rapids Remain Bulletproof

Despite failing to score for the first time since mid-April, the Colorado Rapids ran their unbeaten streak to 11 games with a scoreless draw in Los Angeles.

Royal Rally

Real Salt Lake got key contributions off the bench from youngsters Jordan Allen and John Stertzer in fighting back for a 2-1 home victory over the previously-hot New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.

So We Meet Again (Times Two)

Thanks to Chile's 2-0 win in the second Copa America Centenario semifinal, we'll have a pair of rematches from the group stage to close the tournament. Not only will the Copa holders get another crack at Argentina with the title on the line (Sunday, 8 pm ET on FS1, Univision, UDN), but the USMNT are set up for a bronze medal bid to exact revenge on Colombia (Saturday, 8 pm ET on FS1, Univision, UDN).

What Now?

On the heels of US Soccer chief Sunil Gulati's remarks that the USMNT still has a ways to go to reach the top level of international soccer, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle discusses the immediate short-term steps the team needs to take on that road.

Management Candidate?

An English oddsmaker has listed US boss Jurgen Klinsmann as the odds-on favorite to take over at EPL side Southampton. Meanwhile, one UK scribe opines that England should snatch Klinsmann away for their top national team job.

Freshman Class

Find out which Philadelphia Union youngster currently sits atop our MLSsoccer.com Rookie Rankings.

Rock The Vote

The ESPYs, ESPN's sports awards, have opened the voting for their best MLS player prize, with Sebastian Giovinco, Kei Kamara, Laurent Ciman and Luis Robles your nominated choices.

Special Visitor

Canada skipper David Edgar, who recently stated he was open to an MLS move, is set for a training stint with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Movin' On Up

The LA Galaxy have purchased the contract of young striker Jack McBean from their USL reserve team and he went on to play all 90 minutes for LA on Wednesday night.

Birn-Ing Desire

An Italian report has Maccabi Tel Aviv set to offer over half-a-million dollars to D.C. United for US defender Steve Birnbaum once he returns from Copa America duty.

Rumor Mill

A grain of salt is required considering the source, but an Italian report claims Bologna and Fiorentina are monitoring Galaxy attacker Gyasi Zardes.

Waiting For His Chance

Santos Laguna defender and former Portland Timbers left back Jorge Villafana says he's eager to receive a USMNT call-up.

A Real Happy Anniversary

As Landon Donovan himself reminds us, June 23 is the anniversary of one of the most memorable goals in US Soccer history: the stoppage-time Algeria strike. Watch it again here and relive the unforgettable reactions across the nation.