Kick Off: MLS Week 22 kicks off tonight on UniMas | MLS on a roll in CCL

Greg Seltzer

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

Friday Night Lights

The San Jose Earthquakes will put out the welcome mat for New York City FC on Friday night (11 pm ET on UniMás, MLS LIVE in Canada) in a matchup of teams headed in opposite directions in recent weeks. While the Bronx bunch are back on top in the East behind the efforts of Etihad Airways Player of the Month winner Frank Lampard, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle says the Quakes sorely need a spark in attack.

MLS Clubs Stay Perfect

Veteran fullback Maynor Figueroa played the surprise hero on Thursday night, burying the late winner as FC Dallas continued Major League Soccer's perfect CONCACAF Champions League group phase start with a hard-fought 2-1 win over guests Real Esteli.

Done And Dusted

The transfer saga of Fabian Castillo has finally ended with FC Dallas shipping the attacking ace to Turkish side Trabzonspor in a loan-plus-purchase option deal. The club's GM Fernando Clavijo says the team's hands were tied by Castillo's insistence to make the move to Europe.

Union Do's

Fresh from landing Charlie Davies from New England in a trade, Philadelphia will see how all their new pieces fit together when they travel to D.C. United on Saturday night (7 pm ET on MLS LIVE). Thanks to the transformation taking shape under technical director Earnie Stewart (watch the MLS Insider feature on the topic here), the Union now find themselves battling for the top spots in the East.

Market Watch

With the transfer window now closed, the Armchair Analyst gives the rundown on how every MLS club fared in the summer market.

Unleash The Deuce

Seattle are expecting fresh catch Nicolas Lodeiro to bring the best out of star man Clint Dempsey. The two will get their next chance to shine when the Sounders visit Orlando City on Soccer Sunday (7 pm ET on FS1, MLS LIVE in Canada).

Rising Sides

As the Portland Timbers get set to host Sporting KC on Soccer Sunday (4 pm ET on ESPN, MLS LIVE in Canada), things are looking up for both teams. While the Timbers' attack is on the rise due to new personnel and a new formation, Sporting are profiting thanks to a production revival from playmaking ace Benny Feilhaber.

Deals Or
No Deals

Toronto FC reportedly kicked the tires on the recently traded duo of Matias Perez Garcia and Giles Barnes in the days leading up to Saturday's visit from New England (7:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE).

Man On A Mission

Speaking of Barnes, the veteran says he's come to Vancouver to raise a trophy. He'll get his first chance to contribute to his new side when the Whitecaps invade Colorado on Saturday (9 pm ET on TSN, MLS LIVE in USA).

Understudy No More

With midfield general Dax McCarty on the shelf, Red Bulls midfielder Sean Davis says he's ready to step into the breach when they pay a call to the LA Galaxy on Soccer Sunday (9:30 pm ET on FS1, MLS LIVE in Canada).

On The Naughty List

Chicago midfielder Khaly Thiam has been handed a one-match ban, ruling him out when the Fire visit Real Salt Lake on Saturday (10 pm ET on MLS LIVE).

Homecoming

New Columbus Crew SC netminder Zack Steffen reveals the reasons why he was more than delighted to make the move from Bundesliga risers Freiburg to Ohio and MLS.

Familiar Face

Atlanta United GM Carlos Bocanegra says he pursued recent recruit Kenwyne Jones based on impressions gained when the two faced each other in CONCACAF and EPL action.

Bounced

John Anthony Brooks went the distance as Hertha Berlin blew an aggregate-goal lead twice to crash out of the Europa League with a 3-1 loss at Brondby.

Finally!

One day after giving an interview in which he says he is finally pain-free, US national team forward Aron Johannsson made a long-awaited return to Werder Bremen first-team training.

Sticking Around

Young Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalam has been named to the club's traveling squad for a pair of Scandinavian friendlies, giving him more chances to make the first team.