Kick Off: It's Portland vs. Seattle on FOX this Sunday | Jozy set to return

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

Friday Night Lights

The Houston Dynamo will be looking for their first road win on over a year when they drop in on the LA Galaxy on Friday night (11 pm ET on UniMás, MLS LIVE in Canada). While LA Galaxy president Chris Klein says they won't be making summer moves, the Dynamo are busy working on a big catch for their back line.

Rivalry Showdown

MLSsoccer.com's Greg Lalas predicts that Sunday's Cascadia Cup clash between the Timbers and Sounders in Portland (3 pm ET on FOX, MLS LIVE in Canada) will provide a second-half launching pad for the winner. Of course, Seattle are simply trying to figure out how to cope without suspended ace Clint Dempsey.

In Our Defense...

Speaking of the Timbers, key defender Liam Ridgewell has revealed that he's in extension talks with the defending MLS champs. He's also got a new stable-mate, with Portland signing Lithuania left back Vytautas Andriuskevicius.

Jozy Boy

When Toronto FC visit San Jose on Saturday (10:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE), Reds forward Jozy Altidore will be hoping to make his return after a month on the shelf.

Fully Motivated

The Philadelphia Union won't require any extra incentive when they tackle the Red Bulls in Sunday's rivalry showdown (7 pm ET on FS1, MLS LIVE in Canada).

Proven Worth

Sporting Kansas City's patience with Jimmy Medranda has paid off with the Colombian blossoming as a left back. He will get the next chance to show his burgeoning stuff when the Missouri Azzuriinvade Colorado on Saturday night (9 pm ET on MLS LIVE).

Back In The Fold

The Vancouver Whitecaps are hoping to build on their momentum from a 2-0 midweek home win as forward Masato Kudo looks to make his second straight start since his injury in Saturday's visit from Orlando City (10 pm ET on TSN1, RDS2, MLS LIVE in USA).

Re-Mix?

With the midfielder's playing time sparse this summer, NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira says he's willing to hear offers for US international midfielder Mix Diskerud. As for this weekend, NYCFC will take their league-best road record to Montreal on Sunday (5 pm ET on ESPN, TSN2 and RDS).

A New Crew?

Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter has admitted that the club is in talks with free agent Canada striker Marcus Haber. Meanwhile, Berhalter will hope Ola Kamara can continue his hot streak against visiting D.C. United on Saturday night (7:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE).

Foreign Market

The Nicolas Lodeiro-to-Seattle story is seemingly alive and well, with one reporter tweeting that the Uruguay playmaker has agreed to personal terms with the Sounders and requested a transfer from Boca Juniors. Meanwhile, an Italian report says veteran Napoli right back Christian Maggio is eagerly open to an MLS move.

Conflicting Stories

While an English report claims that US manager Jurgen Klinsmann will soon be interviewed by the English FA over their vacant top national team job, the New York Daily News is reporting that England has yet to request permission to speak with him.

Olympic Primer

With the US women's national team set to begin Summer Olympics play in three weeks, we've compiled a guide to enjoying their quest for a fourth straight gold medal.

Expert Opinion

Landon Donovan, a guy who knows a thing or two about playing young in Germany, says Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic is better than he was at 17.

Europa League Exports

The second round of Europa League qualifying began on Thursday night, with Hearts midfielder Perry Kitchen pulled due to a hamstring injury during the first half of a very muggy, scoreless draw away to Maltese side Birkirkara. Elsewhere, Will John worked 81 minutes as Finnish entrant RoPS opened their tie with a 1-1 draw against Croatia's Lokomotiva Zagreb.