Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. GALAXY STORM TO ANOTHER CCL WIN
The LA Galaxy continued their incredibly strong start to the CONCACAF Champions League campaign with a 5-0 win over Guatemalan side Comunicaciones. Up 2-0 at halftime, the Galaxy refused to take their foot off the pedal, with Bruce Arena explaining his reasons for introducing Robbie Keane in the second half.
2. WHO’S SET TO START AS CREW SC TAKE ON NYCFC?
Columbus Crew SC host New York City FC Wednesday night (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) and new signing Harrison Afful is hoping to make his debut as soon as possible. Frank Lampard is set to travel with NYCFC but remains questionable, although his absence could help delay a difficult choice for head coach Jason Kreis.
3. UNITED BEGIN AGAIN
D.C. United begin a second consecutive year in the CONCACAF Champions League Wednesday night when they take on Panamanian side Arabe Unido (8 pm ET, Fox Soccer Plus). The squad looks to be a good mix of first-team players and reserves, though Ben Olsen didn't travel to Panama as he serves a one-game touchline suspension.
4. FOCUS ON THE POINTS
Sporting Kansas City host the San Jose Earthquakes Wednesday night (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The match marks the start of five games in 15 days, and SKC are focused on picking up points.
5. CAN THE SOUNDERS START ROLLING?
With Obafemi Martins fit again and a home CONCACAF Champions League game against Honduran side CD Olimpia on the docket (10 pm ET, Fox Sports 2), can the Sounders secure a win to go with their opening draw? Sounders FC 2 have also dipped into CONCACAF, adding a St. Vincent international striker to their roster.
6. RSL RESTRUCTURE
While Real Salt Lake are hoping that new signing Juan Manuel Martinez can have an instant impact on the field, behind the scenes the club is undergoing a restructure, mutually parting ways with president Bill Manning.
7. INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES
With an international window fast approaching, some teams are looking at losing important players down the stretch. Justin Meram is set to make the Iraq squad, while Blaz Perez has been called up by Panama with new Sounders signing Roman Torres. Orlando City could lose up to five of their regular starters.
8. SHEA EDGING CLOSER TO RETURN
Brek Shea is getting closer to making his return for Orlando City, but the defender/midfielder is reluctant to put an exact date on his comeback just yet. Meanwhile, in other Orlando City news, it seems we now know the real reason the club dropped Sean St. Ledger and Martin Paterson.
9. CEREN GETS A DIFFERENT BAN
The MLS Disciplinary Committee suspended Orlando City midfielder Darwin Ceren one game for violent conduct against the Sounders' Erik Friberg. The ban overwrites the suspension he was already set to serve for yellow-card accumulation and means he remains one card away from another absence.
10. THE DYNAMO’S LATEST HOMEGROWN
The Houston Dynamo are planning for the future, signing academy midfielder Christian Lucatero as the club’s seventh Homegrown Player. Lucatero will train with the first team for the remainder of the season but won’t be eligible to play for the Dynamo until the start of 2016.
11. RED BULLS HAVE STORIES
There are plenty of feel good stories surrounding the New York Red Bulls right now, be it Mike Grella’s success after the striker was on the verge of retirement or the full-circle relationship between Luis Robles and Tony Meola.
12. MORALES EXTENDS HIS STAY
There’s little doubt that Pedro Morales has been one of the Vancouver Whitecaps' best signings and, on Tuesday, the club tied their Chilean playmaker to a new, multi-year contract.
13. TRANSATLANTIC
There are a growing number of English soccer players choosing to make the move to MLS, so what is it about the league that’s tempting them across the pond?
14. IS ZELALEM HEADING TO SCOTLAND?
USMNT prospect Gedion Zelalem could be in line for a whole new soccer experience in the second half of 2015 as reports emerged on Tuesday that Arsenal are preparing to loan the midfielder to Scottish side Rangers, formerly home of Maurice Edu, DaMarcus Beasley and Carlos Bocanegra. Yet it seems other clubs are also interested in acquiring the 18-year-old’s services.
15. US FACE THE FAMILIAR IN OLYMPIC DRAW
The draw has been made for Olympic qualifying and the US will face familiar foes Canada, Cuba and Panama as they look to qualify for Rio 2016. Canada were also opponents during the US’ unsuccessful 2012 campaign and Benito Floro likes his side’s chances this time around.
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