Kick Off: US, El Tri gear up for big clash | LA intimidated by Howard?

Greg Seltzer

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:

Up for the fight

A pair of US internationals have declared themselves eager to play a part when they open the CONCACAF 2018 World Cup qualifying hex against arch nemesis Mexico on Friday (7:45pm ET; FS1, Univision). After recovering from injury, Jermaine Jones is ready to rumble ina contest circled on his calendar long ago, while Sacha Kljestan is aiming to shine with no regard to the broken nose he suffered last weekend.

And in the other corner...

Now that he's done with MLS Playoff duty, Giovani dos Santos is ready to shift focus to Mexico's monster tilt with the US national team. Meanwhile, Sam Stejskal looked at players who could do well to join the LA Galaxy ace in Major League Soccer, and Will Parchman reviews the early MLS experiments in Juan Carlos Osorio's coaching career.

Scared stiff

Colorado striker Kevin Doyle believes that the LA Galaxy were intimidated in the shootout that eliminated by the prospect of having to beat Rapids net star Tim Howard.

The big house

After moving the home leg of their Conference Final match-up with Toronto FC, Montreal are expecting a massive crowd for support.

Walk the line

As Toronto FC prepares to battle for a place in MLS Cup, Sportsnet has a podcast interview with Reds netminder Clint Irwin.

Out of the blues

The agent of Sebastian Giovinco has taken Italy manager Giampero Ventura to task for remarks aired about overlooking the Toronto FC star because he plays in MLS, saying the Azzuri boss is making an uninformed decision.

Dark cloud, silver lining

Big Apple Soccer's Michael Lewis says NYCFC can make no excuses for their unceremonious playoff ouster against Toronto FC. Despite that embarrassing exit, ESPN's Graham Parker believes that head coach Patrick Vieira has the club heading in the right direction.

Surprise, surprise!

Local blog RSL Soapbox shines a spotlight on the biggest surprise element in the Real Salt Lake squad this season: the emergence of their center backs.

Timbers leaning forward

The Oregonian takes a look at the status of Portland's forward pool for next season.

Crew SC's control

After falling from MLS Cup runners-up to playoff bystanders, the Columbus will be aggressive in rebuilding their squad for next season.

Impending Impact

Bologna's Switzerland midfielder Blerin Dzemaili has admitted he will join the Montreal Impact, as previously reported.

Brace yourself

Atlanta United fans have another reason to get excited by Homegrown signing Andrew Carleton, who bagged a terrific brace for the US Under-17's against Jamaica on Sunday.

Another option?

According to a report from ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, you can add D.C. United assistant coach Amos Magee to Minnesota United's list of head coach candidates.