Kick Off: USA prep for Costa Rica | NYCFC announce Lampard departure

Greg Seltzer

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

Round Two

The US national team will attempt to get back on the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying horse when they make the difficult trip to Costa Rica on Tuesday (9 pm ET on beIN SPORTS, NBC Universo). They will need to do so without netminder Tim Howard, who is out with an adductor injury. The team will also need to do some set-piece defending repairs after leaking the late Mexico winner on a corner kick.

Will he or won't he?

Friday's defeat to Mexico has some observers wondering if Jurgen Klinsmann's job is in jeopardy, but US Soccer chief Sunil Gulati says he expects the manager to finish the Hex.

Wanted man

Following Mexico's win over the USMNT, Andres Guardado admitted that he's had interest from MLS expansion side Atlanta United, but he says they've yet to make an offer.

Farewell Frankie

NYCFC will have a Designated Player spot available for next season after announcing on Monday that England legend Frank Lampard will not be returning when his contract expires at year's end.

Recovery bay

Several injured Seattle Sounders players are using the international break to get well for next Tuesday's Western Conference Championship first leg (10 pm ET on FS1, FOX Deportes in USA; TSN1, TSN3 in Canada).

50K down, 10K to go

Fans hoping to attend the Eastern Conference Championship first leg between Montreal and Toronto FC next Tuesday (8 pm ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes in USA; TSN1, TSN3, RDS in Canada) best hurry up. The Impact have revealed that 50,000 tickets have already been sold, leaving less than 20 percent of the seats remaining.

Batteries recharged

Toronto FC have taken advantage of the international break by granting the squad two days off to rest up for the Conference Championship.

Fire-d up?

The buzz about the Chicago Fire chasing Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is steadily growing.

Capital gain?

D.C. United are reportedly close to announcing the permanent capture of loan ace Luciano Acosta from Boca Juniors. Meanwhile, veteran striker Alvaro Saborio has bid a fond farewell to the capital club.

Be-Giles-ed

English reports claims that Blackburn is sizing up Vancouver attacker Giles Barnes.

Like a glove

ESPN FC's Arch Bell has come up with five reasons that Manchester United star Wayne Rooney would make a good MLS fit.

First cap

Colorado midfield standout Michael Azira has put the international break to good use by making his Uganda debut in Saturday's World Cup qualifying win over Congo.