Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. TURN OF THE CENTURY
Down a man but up a goal, Orlando City were a little disappointed to give up their lead in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes (HIGHLIGHTS). But the real talking point of the match was the man who scored that equalizer -- Chris Wondolowski scored his 100th career MLS goal and still hasn’t quite come to terms with his own accomplishment.
2. FIRE FIGHT BACK
Despite scoring twice, Columbus Crew SC were left to rue what they called a lack of killer instinct, as the Chicago Fire fought back to earn a 2-2 draw to start the weekend slate of league matches (HIGHLIGHTS). The stirring comeback came in no small part to the work of substitute Jason Johnson.
3. KEANE MAKES WINNING RETURN
It took a stoppage-time goal to help the LA Galaxy secure a 1-0 victory over the Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS) and who else could have scored it but super-sub Alan Gordon. Yet while Gordon grabbed the glory, it was Robbie Keane who made it happen on his return from injury, helping to end the Dynamo’s winning streak in the process.
4. THE GIOVINCO SHOW
Having scored the only goal in Toronto FC’s 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers (HIGHLIGHTS), Sebastian Giovinco rightly earned all the plaudits from his team as the diminutive Italian continues to help transform TFC. The Timbers were able to prevent any further damage though, leaving them to regret conceding early yet again.
5. NINE-MAN REVOLUTION STAND TALL
With the top two teams in the Eastern Conference facing off on Saturday, both the New England Revolution and D.C. United seemed quite happy to come away with a 1-1 draw (HIGHLIGHTS). It was a good point on the road for United, yet, with the Revolution forced to fight it out with nine men following two red cards, they might feel they should have had more.
6. MCINERNEY COMES GOOD
Despite some interesting comments earlier in the week, forward Jack McInerney earned plenty of praise for his performance in the Montreal Impact’s 2-1 win over FC Dallas (HIGHLIGHTS), including scoring the game-winner. The Impact had a two-goal lead at one point, forcing FC Dallas into another late flurry of activity. But, unlike previous weeks, the visitors were unable to complete the comeback.
7. RAPIDS ON THE RISE
Things are starting to look up for the Colorado Rapids. That’s what head coach Pablo Mastroeni thinks after Lucas Pittinari’s first goal for the Rapids helped them earn a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps (HIGHLIGHTS), their first victory at home since July 25 of last year. The Whitecaps, meanwhile, feel they deserved more from the game.
8. MIXED FEELINGS AT C-LINK
There were vastly contrasting emotions following the Seattle Sounders' 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City (HIGHLIGHTS). For the home side, the Sounders were incredibly disappointed that they couldn’t find a breakthrough, but for the visitors, SKC head coach Peter Vermes hailed his own team’s “incredible intelligence” in earning a point.
9. FAMILIAR FORTUNES
Real Salt Lake’s 2-0 win over New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS) marked a return to the norm for both teams. For RSL, it was back to their old winning ways, particularly welcome against former boss Jason Kreis. For NYCFC, the aforementioned Kreis lamented his side's continuing penchant for conceding early goals.
10. A FORTRESS NO MORE
Jim Curtin was full of praise for his Philadelphia Union side after a 2-0 win over the New York Red Bulls (HIGHLIGHTS) secured them their first win at Red Bull Arena in franchise history. For the Red Bulls though it marked a second consecutive shutout, which had the team feeling more than a little unlucky.
11. FIRE UP THE RUMOR MILL!
On Friday, the New York Red Bulls found themselves linked with Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo, currently on loan with Boca Juniors. Yet no sooner had the rumor began than Jesse Marsch poured cold water over it. However, while that rumor may be dead, could a UEFA Champions League winner be on his way to the Big Apple? Plus, those Pirlo rumors still aren’t going away and Didier Drogba is apparently looking for one more season somewhere.
12. WORLD CUP VET AMONGST OLYMPIC HOPEFULS
With Olympic qualifying just around the corner, the US Under-23’s will be taking part in the Toulon tournament, which starts on Wednesday. Head coach Andi Herzog included Julian Green and Jordan Morris among the 19 players named to the squad.
13. BRINGING THE BEST
As feared, it seems Miguel Herrera is indeed bringing his strongest Mexico squad to the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, with Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Carlos Vela both named to a 35-man provisional squad featuring 11 foreign-based players.
14. CAMERON’S NEW DEAL
While there were no American Exports involved in Sunday’s EPL relegation battle, there was some good news for Stoke City’s Geoff Cameron. Not only did he help ensure Steven Gerrard’s final Liverpool game ended in a disastrous 6-1 defeat, the US international was also rewarded with a new contract extension.
15. SIGI’S SUGGESTIONS
The US Open Cup returns for Round 3 this week and, while the tournament has made some real significant improvements this year, as the most successful coach in US Open Cup history the Seattle Sounders Sigi Schmid has some ideas on how to make the tournament even better.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Armchair Analyst: Trust issues, the Century Club and other Week 12 thoughts
Another MLS veteran reaches the 300 appearance milestone
Gold Cup: Altidore on prospect of “surreal” matchup with Haiti
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