Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. IMPACT FALL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL
The Montreal Impact fell short at the final hurdle in the CONCACAF Champions League, losing 4-2 at home and 5-3 on aggregate to Mexican powerhouse Club América (HIGHLIGHTS). The Impact were leading 1-0 at halftime, but "tired and got stretched" in a second-half collapse. Falling at the last hurdle was tough to take, but TSN's Kristian Jack calls it "a special night no matter the result."
2. AMÉRICA TRIUMPHANT
Club América booked their trip to the FIFA Club World Cup with the win. Manager Gustavo Matosas praised his team’s effort and the Impact’s fantastic home support, while goalkeeper Moisés Muñoz traded his earlier trash talk for kind words. Though Liga MX's Twitter handle did take a bantering shot at MLS.
3. MONTREAL PRIDE
Despite the result, the 61,004 fans that set a Canadian record for a professional soccer game saw a memorable event, and the ups and downs of the second leg. The Impact made no excuses for their second-half performance and walked away proud to "make history." They now return to their regular schedule, including an Amway Canadian Championship semifinal match against Toronto FC next Wednesday, and an MLS game agaisnt the Portland Timbers on May 9.
4. RAPIDS HAPPIER THAN RED BULLS WITH POINT
The New York Red Bulls remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw at home against the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS), a result that pleased the Rapids but left the Red Bulls ruing their recent slow starts.
5. TAYLOR TO PLAY FOR HOUSTON
Texas rivals Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas (8 pm ET, UDN, MLS LIVE) square off on Friday in the opener of a UDN doubleheader. The Dynamo got some good news on Wednesday when the independent review panel rescinded Jermaine Taylor’s red card fine and suspension, freeing him to play in the match.
6. THREE MLSERS SUSPENDED
While Taylor's punishment was revoked, three other MLS players were handed one-game suspensions by the MLS Disciplinary Committee. The Chicago Fire’s Matt Watson, Real Salt Lake’s John Stertzer and Sporting Kansas City’s Servando Carrasco were disciplined for incidents last week and will miss their team's next game.
7. BLAKE FEELS READY FOR UNION
Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Andre Blake feels he’s fit and ready to start for the Philadelphia Union. Head coach Jim Curtin, however, isn't as sure, stating, “I don’t want to throw him out there until he’s 100-percent ready to go.” Meanwhile, what role do analytics play in the Union’s thought process?
8. GOALS GALORE FOR CREW SC
This time last year, Federico Higuaín was very much carrying Columbus Crew SC, leading many to wonder where the rest of the goals were going to come from. Now, with Crew SC leading the league in scoring and Higuaín only accounting for one of those goals, is it safe to say that problem has been solved?
9. ASSESSING THE EVANS EXPERIMENT IN SEATTLE
The Seattle Sounders are seven games into the 2105 season, and, having had time to assess the situation, head coach Sigi Schmid believes Brad Evans’ conversion to center back is working, a belief echoed by the Sounders captain himself.
10. PLATA JUST WEEKS AWAY
Having failed to tally in their last three games, Real Salt Lake are in desperate need of a goalscorer right now. One may arrive soon, as RSL head coach Jeff Cassar suggested Joao Plata could be back with the team in three weeks after the Ecuadoran returned to the training field on Wednesday. More good news for RSL fans: USL side Real Monarchs won their first game, beating Sacramento Republic 1-0.
11. IT’S GOING TO TAKE TIME FOR ORLANDO CITY
Although two of Orlando City’s most promising young stars have yet to make major contributions in MLS, head coach Adrian Heath is not worried about the development of Carlos Rivas and Bryan Róchez, insisting that these things just take time.
12. GOALS ARE GOING TO COME FOR DWYER
After a record-setting season in 2014, Dom Dwyer has netted just twice in eight games so far this year. Still, Sporting Kansas City remain confident that the goals will come, and the club is also preaching patience with goalkeeper Luis Marin.
13. U-23S SET PRE-OLYMPIC QUALIFYING CAMP
US Soccer announced that there will be an Under-23 training camp, this time in England, held in September. The US will take on England and Qatar prior to October's Olympic qualifying tournament. Meanwhile, one level down, potential US U-20 selection Ben Spencer is hoping consistent minutes for Toronto FC II will earn him a place on the US World Cup squad.
14. RONALDINHO TO MLS REPORTS (AGAIN)
The Ronaldinho-to-MLS rumor never seems to go away. This time, his brother claims that the Brazilian superstar will leave Mexico this summer, with MLS a likely destination.
15. WHERE DO MLS PLAYERS COME FROM?
Can you guess which US state have produced the most current MLS players?
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Armchair Analyst: Midnight comes for the Impact in CCL
Will Bruin hopes recent goal makes case for return to starting role
“Little things” paying off in Jamie Penedo’s evolution for LA Galaxy
Get the Kick Off delivered to you!
Enter your email address and favorite team below to sign up for The Kick-Off mailing list and get it delivered to your inbox every morning.
Email:
Favorite Team:
SELECT YOUR FAVORITE CLUB
Atlanta
Chicago Fire
Colorado Rapids
Columbus Crew SC
D.C. United
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
LAFC
LA Galaxy
Minnesota United FC
Montreal Impact
New England Revolution
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Orlando City SC
Philadelphia Union
Portland Timbers
Real Salt Lake
San Jose Earthquakes
Seattle Sounders FC
Sporting KC
Toronto FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
I don't have a favorite team
