Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Welcome Wagon
The Colorado Rapids and their fans gave Tim Howard a warm welcome at his first training session with the club. The USMNT star will not be eligible to play when Colorado visit FC Dallas for a midweek Open Cup contest (Wednesday, 8:30 pm ET on YouTube), but he'll be available for selection when the transfer window opens for the July 4 league match against Portland, our MLS LIVE Game of the Week.
Honor Rolls
Ten different clubs had at least one player named to our MLSsoccer.com Team of the Week, while Philadelphia's Roland Alberg blew the MLS Fantasy Manager field away with four goals to lead the fantasy best XI.
Pressing Need
Just as it appears that Seattle are out of the Nicholas Lodeiro running, our Sam Stejskal urges the Sounders to find a playmaker fast. As their search reportedly turns focus to San Lorenzo's Sebastian Blanco, Seattle heads off to Real Salt Lake in a Tuesday US Open Cup Round of 16 match (10 pm ET on YouTube).
Crew Meal?
When the Chicago Fire host Columbus in Tuesday night's other Round of 16 Open Cup clash (8:30 pm ET on YouTube), they will be looking to continue an impressive run of domination over their rivals in the tournament.
Heading Home?
Speaking of the Fire, a Brazilian report claims Chicago outcast Gilberto is close to sealing a move to Santa Cruz back in his homeland.
One Last Look Back
Andrew Wiebe joins Russ Thaler and Calen Carr to discuss what we learned about the US national team during their Copa America Centenario run.
Safe Hands Policy
With the deciding away leg of their Amway Canadian Championship tie with Vancouver on tap for Wednesday (10 pm ET on TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in USA), Toronto FC are being forced to turn to one of two green netminders in the wake of Clint Irwin's weekend injury.
Forged By The Flame
Ahead of Wednesday's Round of 16 US Open Cup showdown against the visiting LA Galaxy, Portland boss Caleb Porter offered his assessment that the club's early-season struggles will only make them stronger down the stretch.
The Waiting Is The Hardest Part
Philly Union strike ace C.J. Sapong patiently remains in the final stage of recovery from an ankle injury as the club gets set to host the rival Red Bulls for a place in the USOC quarterfinals on Wednesday (7 pm ET on YouTube).
Fighting Back
Now recovered from an injury, Orlando City right back Rafael Ramos is trying to win his spot back from veteran defender Kevin Alston. He'll get his next chance to reclaim the starting role when the Lions host state rivals Ft. Lauderdale in Wednesday's Open Cup tilt (7:30 pm ET on YouTube).
My Rumor Has A First Name, It's...
Former Paraguay strike star Oscar Cardozo is being linked with MLS interest from the New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake. The same article also references a report that says erstwhile RSL target/Trinidad & Tobago defender Aubrey David now appears headed for an FC Dallas loan spell.
Trial Trip
Having already handed in a transfer request at Chelsea, US Under-20 attacking midfielder Kyle Scott has begun an audition with Eredivisie survivors Willem II.
Settling In
Landon Donovan talks about the adjustments required to get comfortable in his new job as a TV commentator for Fox Sports.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
ExtraTime Radio: Why FC Dallas transferred youth star
WATCH: This Week In MLS
Club & Country: Copa America Best XI picks
