Kick Off: Chile closes out Copa America | MLS summer slate heating up

Greg Seltzer

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

Champs Rally Late

MLS Cup holders Portland fought back with two Diego Valeri spot kicks in the waning moments for a 3-2 win over Houston on Sunday. After the loss, the Dynamo were only blaming themselves.

Pulling Closer

On Saturday night FC Dallas crept to within a point of Colorado in the Supporters Shield standing by blanking Real Salt Lake 2-0. Meanwhile, the Texas club denied a report that Fabian Castillo (who scored in the weekend win) was being sold to Turkish side Trabzonspor.

Double Order Of Chile

Chile held Argentina scoreless and then won on penalty kicks to repeat as Copa America champ on Sunday night. They also nearly swept the post-tourney awards, with Alexis Sanchez netting the Golden Ball and Claudio Bravo catching the Golden Glove. Argentina superstar Lionel Messi, who missed his team's first spot kick high, was so despondent after the defeat that he announced his international retirement.

Go Fourth

On Saturday night, the US national team fell to Colombia for the second time in the tournament to end up in fourth place. Despite the letdown, the USMNT reflected on what they considered to be a good tournament run. Even so, US Soccer chief Sunil Gulati declared it high time the Nats start knocking off some world powers. Also, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle offered doubts that the USMNT has progressed under Jurgen Klinsmann and our US Player Ratings relected the frustrating finale.

Fit To Be Tied

San Jose's Chad Barrett got to the end of a last-minute free kick to equalize, earning the hosts a 1-1 Cali Clasico draw with Los Angeles on Saturday night. Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza credited the Quakes for showing the fight to pull level late.

Lions' Roar

Thanks to a late Kaká spot kick, Orlando City topped pesky Toronto FC, 3-2, on Saturday. In his weekly roundup, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle opined that the Lions star man is earning that tag in MLS.

Bulls Get The Horns

Ola Kamara scored in stoppage time to earn Columbus a 1-1 rally draw against the previously streaking Red Bulls. After the match, the Crew were proud of their insistence in gaining the result.

Blue Charge

New York City FC posted a 2-0 win at Seattle to close in on the East lead. Midfielder Frank Lampard had high praise for his squad. While the visitors were less pleased with their effort, Sounders boss Sigi Schmid was also annoyed by a non-call on Lampard's controversial game-winner.

Progress Capped

Patrick Vieira's NYCFC side was able to make that ground in the standings because Vancouver scored a 3-2 win at Philadelphia earlier on Saturday. The Whitecaps pulled off the win without Octavio Rivero, who has reportedly been sold to Chilean power Colo Colo.

Dom-Ination

Sporting KC clawed back twice on Don Dwyer strikes to earn a 2-2 share at Montreal. The win-shy visitors are hoping the good result can signal better days ahead.

Denied In D.C.

Lamar Neagle and the D.C. United defense led the way in a 2-0 win over rivals New England. The Revs say they were doomed by their slow start to the game, which saw their three-game win streak fall by the wayside.

Poku To Miami?

Numerous reports have NYCFC attacker Kwadwo Poku being sold to NASL club Miami FC. Meanwhile, a New York scribe also claims that the club are set to deal Mix Diskerud to an MLS rival.

Ins & Outs

A South American report has Ecuador forward Jaime Ayovi on the verge of joining injury-hit Columbus. Meanwhile, another South American report has Portland attacker Dairon Asprilla headed back home to join Millionarios. To boot, a Central American outlet says Honduras defender Gerson Rodas is weighing MLS options against some in Portugal.