Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. UNITED READY FOR ORLANDO
When Orlando City visit D.C. United tonight (8 pm ET, ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), they may see in United a model turning a struggling squad around. It probably starts with their leader, Kaká, who was named to Brazil's preliminary roster for the Copa América. Meanwhile, first place D.C. are finally getting a little more respect, though captain Bobby Boswell still gets thrown for a loop sometimes when he rides the subway to practice.
2. TORONTO-MONTREAL RIVALRY RESUMES
The Amway Canadian Championship resumes tonight. The Montreal Impact take a 1-0 aggregate lead in the second leg of their semifinal series with Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET, Sportsnet in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) and will hunt an away goal against a TFC side that is feeling a sense of urgency.
3. NO SNOW FOR VANCOUVER-EDMONTON THIS TIME
After last week's game in Edmonton was snowed out, the Vancouver Whitecaps will host NASL club FC Edmonton in what is now the first leg (10 pm ET, Sportsnet in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). The Caps are expected to go with some fresh players, including backup goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi, who has been forced to wait another week before making his first start for the club.
4. OPEN CUP UNDERWAY
The 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup first round kicks off tonight, with 42 lower-league sides set to contest 21 first-round matches. There are plenty of great stories to keep an eye on, including the battle for bragging rights in the Motor City and the tale of one four-time tournament champion looking to recapture its glory days. Find out more details on how to watch the games.
5. KLOPAS GETS SUSPENDED
While Montreal head coach Frank Klopas will be on the sidelines for tonight's Canadian Championship match, he will not be there for Saturday's MLS match against Real Salt Lake after receiving a one-game suspension from the MLS Disciplinary Committee for entering the field/leaving the bench area during the Impact's loss to Portland last weekend.
6. CREW SC'S GRANA HEADS HOME
Columbus Crew SC announced on Tuesday that they have parted ways with Argentine fullback Hernan Grana, citing the player’s extreme homesickness as the reason for the decision.
7. NYCFC PART WAYS WITH MENDOZA
New York City FC also dropped a defender on Tuesday, waiving Ecuadorian center back Andres Mendoza. The 25-year-old did not make a first-team appearance for the club.
8. HOW THE RAPIDS SIGNED SOLIGNAC
The Colorado Rapids officially unveiled Luis Solignac as their newest striker on Tuesday, adding a new No. 9 to their strike corps who says he "can create...and pretty good at movements inside the box." How did the Rapids land the 24-year-old Argentine?
9. HAVE THE SOUNDERS MADE A SIGNING?
Garth Lagerwey hasn't had a chance to make a major move in Seattle yet, but the Sounders GM is plenty content with the team's current roster. However, if reports are true, he might be on the verge of adding a young Brazilian attacking midfielder.
10. TEVEZ TO AN MLS CLUB?
Speaking of Argentine strikers, Carlos Tevez was linked to a move to an MLS club, according to Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl, who reported that his agents have made contact about a potential move.
11. GOOCH ON THE MOVE
Former US international Oguchi Onyewu is on the lookout for a new club after English Championship club Charlton Athletic announced on Tuesday it would not renew his contract. Gooch is not the only American Export in need of a new club: Zak Whitebread has been released by Derby County and Heath Pearce’s future in Sweden is apparently in question.
12. PALMER-BROWN, HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE
Long-linked with a move to Italian side Juventus, Sporting Kansas City’s Erik Palmer-Brown has often been touted as one of the next big things in American soccer. Now, with the 18-year-old defender set to graduate from high school, he’s ready to turn his full attention towards helping both SKC and the US Under-20s.
13. KEANE & DOYLE CALLED UP BY IRELAND
Robbie Keane has missed the LA Galaxy's last six games due to a groin injury, but that didn't stop him from earning another call-up to the Irish national team. The reigning MLS MVP will be joined by the incoming Colorado Rapids striker Kevin Doyle as part of Ireland's preliminary 33-man squad for June matches against England and Scotland.
14. AND THE HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS...
ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman personally delivered the news to Berkshire School (Sheffield, Mass.) senior Jack Harrison that he had been named the Gatorade High School Player of the Year. Harrison, a high-scoring midfielder, has committed to play for Wake Forest next fall.
15. ACTION TAKEN AGAINST ABUSIVE FANS IN TORONTO
Toronto FC owners Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment announced on Tuesday that it is taking action to ban the TFC "fans" who verbally abused a female TV reporter outside BMO Field on Sunday. The reporter, Shauna Hunt, launched a sharp, on-air rebuke of the men involved. "This was the moment. (It was time) to take a stand," she says. Her stand has already had some effect: One of men involved has been fired.
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