Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. RED BULLS DESTROY RIVALS D.C.
The New York Red Bulls closed to within two points of Eastern Conference leaders D.C. United (with three games in hand) after a dominant 3-0 win at Red Bull Arena Sunday night (HIGHLIGHTS), once again showing what they’re made of. In the other locker room, D.C. United have reasons for concern after suffering a third consecutive league defeat for the first time this season.
2. SOUNDERS HANG ON TO WIN
Despite being out-shot 20-6, the Seattle Sounders held on for a 2-1 win over their biggest rivals, the Portland Timbers, on Sunday afternoon (HIGHLIGHTS). After his club appeared the better team for much of the match, Timbers head coach Caleb Porter was unhappy about some questionable decisions. The Sounders may agree with the assessment of their performance but, as far as they’re concerned, every point counts.
3. QUAKES WIN CALI CLASICO
An impressive defensive display carried the San Jose Earthquakes to a 1-0 win over the LA Galaxy on Friday night (HIGHLIGHTS) and the Quakes' fourth consecutive league win. The Galaxy were far from pleased with some of the officiating on the night, but admitted the result was probably a fair one.
4. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COACH
The Colorado Rapids gave head coach Pablo Mastroeni a birthday to remember, as a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday marked their third consecutive win and moved them off the bottom of the Western Conference. Sporting head coach Peter Vermes, meanwhile, is unlikely to send holiday cards to any of the match officials.
5. CLARK RETURNS IN STYLE
Ricardo Clark picked up right where he left off for the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, scoring on his return to the lineup to help deliver a 2-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps (HIGHLIGHTS). It was a tough loss for the Canadian side, made worse by the fact that they will now be without two players due to red-card suspensions.
6. TESHO DELIVERS
Tesho Akindele promised FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja he would score in Saturday's game against Real Salt Lake, and that’s exactly what he did, striking from the penalty spot in a 2-0 win (HIGHLIGHTS) and ensuring that the visitors' playoff hopes continue to fade as they slip to the bottom of the Western Conference
7. TORONTO TAKE DOWN MONTREAL ...
Toronto FC came out on top in their 401 Derby encounter with the Montreal Impact on Saturday, beating their rivals 2-1 (HIGHLIGHTS). With the Impact once again missing new signing Didier Drogba, it was TFC’s American stars that led them to success, with Jozy Altidore in particular playing a vital role.
8. … KLOPAS PAYS THE PRICE
The Montreal Impact’s winless run now extends to six games in all competitions, and while they still have the inside track for a playoff spot, that was enough to prompt a coaching change. Frank Klopas was replaced by assistant Mauro Biello as interim head coach late Saturday night, with management citing the August slump as a big part of their decision.
9. COLUMBUS KEEP CLIMBING
Columbus Crew SC have set their sights on the top spot in the Eastern Conference following a 2-1 road win over New York City FC on Saturday afternoon (HIGHLIGHTS). Enough was enough for NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis, though, who called out his players, which in turn prompted a response from Frank Lampard.
10. FAGUNDEZ SETS RECORD
Diego Fagundez’s goal was enough to give the New England Revolution a 1-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union (HIGHLIGHTS) on Saturday and, at the same time, make the Uruguayan the youngest player to score 25 MLS goals. It was another bad night for the Union, made even worse by the late ejection of assists leader Cristian Maidana
11. SHARED SPOILS IN CRAZY CONDITIONS
Both Orlando City and the Chicago Fire had to settle for a point following a 1-1 draw on Saturday (HIGHLIGHTS) that featured multiple weather delays. Orlando moved back into the playoff places by netting an own goal that Cyle Larin is adamant should be credited to him, and which would have also given him the MLS rookie scoring record.
12. KLINSMANN NAMES HIS SQUAD
With the Confederations Cup playoff against Mexico looming, Jurgen Klinsmann has gone with familiar names for his latest US men's national team squad, with both Matt Besler and Jermaine Jones returning to the fold alongside three other MLS players. The coach explains his selections here.
13. ABSENCES AND THE FUTURE
One player we won’t be seeing in either the current US camp or the Confederations Cup playoff game is Timothy Chandler, who’s out for six weeks after tearing his meniscus. There are plenty of other players who won’t receive call-ups either, but Klinsmann may soon have a new option available to him.
14. OLYMPIC DREAMS
With Olympic qualifying on the horizon, Andi Herzog has named the squad for a US Under-23 camp in England this week. Among those selected are nine MLS players, including Matt Miazga, Matt Polster and Wil Trapp, while a further eight players were named to Tab Ramos’ Under-20 squad for a tournament in Serbia.
15. BENCHMARK CALL-UPS?
There were yet more international call-ups announced over the weekend, with Fabián Castillo earning a selection to the Colombian roster while both Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo were called up for Italy, with TFC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko calling Giovinco’s call-up a “benchmark” for MLS.
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