Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Timbers doubled up
Portland saw their chances of reaching the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League take a hit with a 4-2 defeat at Saprissa on Wednesday night. Following the loss, Timbers boss Caleb Porter was left to dispute a pair of penalty calls that went against his team.
Red Bulls take QF shot
The New York Red Bulls can all but clinch a place in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals with a victory against Salvadoran side Alianza on Thursday (8 pm ET on UDN, facebook.com). Meanwhile, Sam Stejskal writes that the under-appreciated Bradley Wright-Phillips deserves to be considered among the best scorers in MLS history.
Dempsey back in training
Seattle star Clint Dempsey was back in training on Wednesday, giving the club hope he can play before the season ends.
"Little Fish" on the menu?
A local reporter says FC Dallas should announce the signing of veteran striker Carlos Ruiz on Thursday.
Revving up hope
The New England Revolution have renewed hope of making the playoffs, mainly because Juan Agudelo is going on a tear at the right time.
Jim cool
Philadelphia Union boss Jim Curtin says he's not concerned by top striker C.J. Sapong's recent goal slump.
No, grazie
New York City FC star Andrea Pirlo has revealed that he spurned transfer interest from Inter Milan this past winter.
Injury reports
A hamstring strain looks likely to keep Orlando City midfielder Antonio Nocerino out of action against Columbus Crew SC this Saturday (7:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE), while D.C. United right back Sean Franklin is set to miss a few weeks with a calf setback.
French cooking
Will Parchman examines how MLS academies are growing thanks to the league's three-year-old coaching education partnership with the French Football Federation.
United candidates
Along with current manager Carl Craig, Minnesota United are reportedly considering former Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath and ex-Seattle boss Sigi Schmid for the top job ahead of their first expansion season in MLS next year.
First of many?
Borussia Dortmund's US phenom Christian Pulisic celebrated his first career UEFA Champions League start by notching an assist in their 5-0 group stage opening rout of Legia Warsaw.
Blue hurricanes
New York City FC defender Jason Hernandez and Portland right back Zarek Valentin (a former US youth international) have been called up by Puerto Rico ahead of their Caribbean Cup third qualifying round opener at Antigua and Barbuda next month.
North of the border
Benito Floro will not be back as Canada national team manager, and the federation is in no hurry to name his replacement.
Air too rare?
Elsewhere in CONCACAF, Mexico may soon move World Cup qualifiers out of the venerable Azteca because so many of their national team squad members now play their club ball at lower altitudes in Europe, lessening the home team's advantage.
Premiere night
Did you miss the opening night of the latest Kicking & Screening Film Festival? Our Arielle Castillo has you covered with a full recap.
Scarftember!
As MLS WORKS campaign Kick Childhood Cancer rolls on through Scarftember, we'll bring you some interesting scarf-related stories from around the MLS fan-dom. Today, we take a look at the Philadelphia Union supporter who somehow manages to sport 70 scarves at each home game.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
24 Under 24: The all-time list by position
Off the post! The unluckiest MLS teams this season
Audi Index: Who is the top-ranked center back in MLS?
