Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:
Rev Up For A Final
The New England Revolution reached their first US Open Cup final since they won it all in 2007 by downing the Chicago Fire 3-1 on Tuesday night. Je-Vaughn Watson scored for the second straight tourney game, bagging the winner just before halftime. As for the Fire, despite their obvious disappointment and place in the standings, Sam Stejskal writes that they're making progress.
Hoops Invade Galaxy
The other Open Cup semifinal will be waged on Wednesday night, as FC Dallas travel to face the LA Galaxy. And with Fabian Castillo now out the door to Trabzonspor, Hoops midfielder Ryan Hollingshead has declared the vacated spot his.
Gio-Orbit
For the second time in three weeks, Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco has earned MLS Player of the Week honors. To boot, the Atomic Ant helped move the Reds into second place in our MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings.
American Ale
Fresh Philadelphia Union recruit Alejandro Bedoya has explained the reasons behind his decision to move from French Ligue 1 to MLS. In other Union news, the team revealed that midfielder Brian Carroll is set for several weeks on the shelf with a foot ailment.
Yura's Back
Real Salt Lake strike ace Yura Movsisyan says he'll be ready to return from a hip problem for the match against Seattle this Sunday (7 pm ET, FS1).
Injury Crisis
The injury woes have continued for the New York Red Bulls, with defender Connor Lade now lost for the season due to a knee injury. Meanwhile, the team will also be forced to go without defender Damien Perrinelle for 4-6 weeks and goal monster Bradley Wright-Phillips is awaiting MRI results.
Pouring Cold Water
Despite a recent report to the contrary, Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch says the club has not contacted Fiorentina's New Jersey-born striker Giuseppe Rossi.
Shopping Italian Again?
The Montreal Impact have plenty of success recruiting Italian forwards and they may be targeting another one, as a report is linking them with a 2017 move for AC Milan's Alessandro Matri.
Bright Spot
Though the team has struggled mightily this season, Columbus Crew SC defender Harrison Afful has been a real standout.
Changing Caps
Vancouver are still making personnel moves, with Deybi Flores loaned out to former side Motagua and young Canada international Kianz Froese training with Kaiserslautern with a view to a loan.
Local Boy Made Good
Our latest edition of "10 Things" features Toronto FC youngster Jay Chapman, who loves playing in front of his hometown crowd.
Feeling Minnesota
Minnesota United FC are set to make an announcement about their MLS future in St. Paul on Aug. 19.
Next!
Colombia's Catalina Usme netted her second goal of the game with a last-minute free kick, forcing the US women's national team to settle for a 2-2 share in their Olympic group stage capper. Despite a couple of errors on Colombia's goals, USWNT netminder Hope Solo says she will employ the short memory tactic when the Group G winners tackle Sweden for a place in the semifinals on Friday.
Three-For-Three
Meanwhile, Canada finished the group stage as the only perfect team by beating mighty Germany by a 2-1 count. Having rallied for what may be the biggest win in their history, Daniel Squizzato says the Maple Leaf ladies can now dream big as they head into Friday's quarterfinal matchup with France.
Young Americans
New Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has named his first team squad for the forthcoming Bundesliga season, and US winger Julian Green has made the cut. Elsewhere, 18-year-old Fulham attacking midfielder Luca de la Torre made his first team debut with a solid showing in their 3-2 Capital One Cup win at Leyton Orient on Tuesday.
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