Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
TFC hosts Houston to open Week 9 slate
Toronto FC and Houston will kick off Week 9 action under Friday night lights at BMO Field (7:30 pm ET | TSN 4/5; MLS LIVE in US). The defending East champs will be out for some revenge, as they are winless in four against the Dynamo, who've won the last two series games played in Toronto. PREVIEW
The Reds are growing more dependent on newcomer Victor Vasquez, who has excelled as their playmaker after a slow start in his first couple of MLS outings. READ MORE
FCD takes aim at Portland, West lead
The top two teams in the West will do battle on Saturday (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE) when Portland visits FC Dallas, the last unbeaten side in the league. The second-place Toros have won eight straight at home across all competitions. PREVIEW
How will the visitors cope without playmaker Diego Valeri? Our Ben Baer weighs up the Timbers' options for spelling their injured string-puller. READ MORE
McCarty, Fire drop in on RBNY
Former Red Bulls skipper Dax McCarty will make his first visit since the trade that sent him to Chicago when the old rivals clash in New York on Saturday (7:30 pm ET | TSN2; MLS LIVE in US). It will be the 54th meeting between the two clubs. PREVIEW
Though the Fire have defended well at home, they are still looking to get their act together at the back on the road. Dating back to last season, they've conceded 25 goals in the eight games since their last away win. READ MORE
Crew SC, NYCFC set to lock horns
Columbus has a shot at regaining the East summit when they host a Saturday evening showdown with New York City FC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Crew SC will want to keep a close eye on David Villa, who has five goals in their last three meetings. PREVIEW
The Score recently sat down with NYCFC holding midfielder Alexander Ring, who says coach Patrick Vieira is the main reason he joined the Yankee Stadium crew. Ring, who has shined early this season, admitted that he's an Arsenal supporter who was attracted to playing under the Gunners legend. READ MORE
SKC look to bounce back vs. RSL
Sporting KC returns home hoping to recover from their first loss of the season with a a Saturday night tilt (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE) against injury-hit Real Salt Lake. With Chris Wingert – and Nick Rimando – joining a crowded recovery ward, the visitors are now down to just four fully fit defenders. PREVIEW
Though some may feel the rivalry between the two sides has died down since they met in the 2013 MLS Cup Final, Sporting playmaker Benny Feilhaber insists it's alive and kicking. One reason he may feel that way? Real Salt Lake have gone 4-0-3 in the series since the SKC crew won to lift the crown 3 1/2 years ago. READ MORE
Rapids roll into Orlando City
Early-season darlings Orlando City will aim to maintain their place in the Eastern penthouse when shorthanded Colorado limps into town for Saturday afternoon's match (3:55 pm ET | UniMás, facebook.com/univisiondeportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). The Rapids are currently missing some key men, but will get center back Jared Watts back from a suspension. PREVIEW
The transfer buzzards continue to circle around Lions strike star Cyle Larin, who is now also being linked with hot interest from EPL survivalists Middlesbrough. READ MORE
Warming champs welcome New England
Though MLS Cup holders Seattle stumbled a little out of the gate this season, they've lost just one of five and are coming off a big win against the Galaxy. They'll try to pick up more steam when New England visits for a Saturday night tussle (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE). PREVIEW
It's been more than 10 years since Clint Dempsey played for New England, and he says he still holds fond memories of his time with the club. Visiting coach Jay Heaps may need to watch out for his old Revs teammate, though; the last time these teams met, Dempsey scored twice to pace a 3-0 Sounders victory. READ MORE
D.C. hoping to right road form in Atlanta
D.C. United will hope to turn their road form around when they pay a Sunday call on Atlanta United (3 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). On the young season, the Black-and-Red have but one point from three away games, ones that have seen them leak eight goals. PREVIEW
As usual, the visitors will rely on Bill Hamid as their last line of defense. According to the Audi Index, he's been the best netminder in MLS so far this season. READ MORE
Whitecaps ride into Montreal
Canadian rivals Montreal and Vancouver will meet up at Stade Saputo on Saturday afternoon (3 pm ET | CTV, TSN2; MLS LIVE in US). The Impact have won the last pair of league meetings between the two. PREVIEW
Impact striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel has three goals off the bench in the last two games, causing the Montreal Gazette to wonder if a change is due in the starting line-up. READ MORE
Loons aim for first win streak
Minnesota United will look to build on last week's victory when San Jose rumbles into town for a Saturday clash (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE). It might be the right time to face the Earthquakes, who are winless in six and haven't posted a road victory since last August. PREVIEW
The Loons are hoping captain Kevin Molino can recover from a thigh injury in time to play. Both the Trinidad & Tobago attacker and left back Marc Burch were held out of training on Wednesday. READ MORE
Galaxy host winless Philly
Philadelphia's quest to break into the win column takes the Union to LA for a Saturday date with the Galaxy (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). PREVIEW
With LAFC set to battle for local attention next year, FourFourTwo's Steve Davis writes that the Galaxy picked the wrong time to struggle for victories. READ MORE
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