Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Nemeth, Ramirez on the move
Forwards Kriztian Nemeth (L) and Christian Ramirez are headed to SKC and LAFC, respectively. | USA Today Sports Images
Expansion darlings LAFC landed a hometown boy on Monday by trading for Minnesota United FC striker Christian Ramirez – even, as Bobby Warshaw notes, with a stacked depth chart up front. The playoff contenders swapped an allocation money layout that could be worth up to $1 million in exchange for a player who has scored 21 times in 50 MLS contests. READ MORE | TRADE INFO
West rivals Sporting KC also moved to bolster their front line by reclaiming Krisztian Nemeth in what Matt Doyle terms a "win-win-win" trade with New England. The Children's Mercy Park side sent a total of $350,000 in allocation money and their 2020 MLS SuperDraft first-round pick to snare the 29-year-old, who was a key man in their 2015 U.S. Open Cup title run. READ MORE | TRADE INFO
Vermes hails SKC teenager Busio after key start
Sporting KC boss Peter Vermes made it clear where his "Man of the Match" vote goes in the aftermath of their 1-0 weekend win at Houston. The head coach was full of praise for 16-year-old midfielder Gianluca Busio, who capped a well-rounded performance in his first league start with a clever game-winning assist. READ MORE
Warshaw: Rapids change unleashes Kellyn Acosta
Have Colorado found the key to unlock the best of new midfielder Kellyn Acosta? Bobby Warshaw writes that coach Anthony Hudson's switch to a 4-4-2 diamond offers the best situations for the US international to succeed. READ MORE
Week 23 Honor Roll
ATLUTD striker Josef Martinez led the Week 23 Audi Player Index with 1,224 points.
Atlanta United goal shark Josef Martinez became just the third player this season to earn three consecutive MLS Team of the Week nods, joining Darwin Quintero and Aleksandar Katai. Real Salt Lake and San Jose were the only clubs to put two players in the spotlight XI. READ MORE
More injury woes for Orlando City? Atlanta?
Though Uri Rosell is back in training, Orlando City have two new injury worries ahead of an important visit to D.C. United. Both Sacha Kljestan (ankle) and Yoshimar Yotun (foot) sat out Monday's practice session. READ MORE
Over in Atlanta, the Five Stripes learned they'll be without wide back Mikey Ambrose for 3-4 months. The defender, who made eight starts for Atlanta United this term, underwent surgery to mend a torn meniscus in his right knee. READ MORE
Agudelo drawing Euro-glances
Our Sam Stejskal reports that New England attacker Juan Agudelo is fielding interest from a crowd of clubs out of Spain's top two divisions and Turkey. The 25-year-old, who scored in their weekend draw at Orlando City, is set to run out of contract at season's end. READ MORE
Transfer wire: Hodson, Dominguez
The word buzzing around Glasgow is that Montreal are set to scoop up Rangers defender Lee Hodson. The 26-year-old Northern Ireland international has apparently been given the green light by manager Steven Gerrard. READ MORE
Meanwhile, El Salvadoran daily La Prensa Grafica reports that Vancouver are waiting on a reply to their short term loan-with-buy option offer for Santa Tecla center back Roberto Dominguez. According to the newspaper, the 21-year-old has already informed the club that he wishes to join the Whitecaps for the 2018 stretch drive. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
Andrew Wiebe & Bobby Warshaw crank up the Instant Replay machine
