Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. 401 PRIDE ON THE LINE IN CANADA
MLS Heineken Rivalry Week kicks off Wednesday night as Toronto FC host the Montreal Impact (8 pm ET, TSN, RDS in Canada and MLS LIVE in the US). TFC are looking to recover quickly from their weekend loss to New York City FC, and a 401 Derby should be all the motivation they need with hometown stars from both sides of the rivalry explaining why the game means so much.
2. TIMBERS’ TOUGHEST TEST
The Portland Timbers have reeled in some big scalps during their five-game winning streak across all competitions, but they now face arguably their toughest test yet in the LA Galaxy (11 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), a side Caleb Porter calls “the best team in the league.” Tuesday was certainly a good day for the Galaxy's Gyasi Zardes, who was named MLS Player of the Week and selected to the US’ 23-man Gold Cup roster.
3. RUTHLESS RED BULLS OR STREAKY SALT LAKE?
The New York Red Bulls take on Real Salt Lake tonight (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), and Dax McCarty wants his side to be meaner as they look to end a five-game MLS winless streak. RSL snapped their own three-game winless streak by beating Sporting Kansas City late Sunday and they are hoping that victory will help them build some momentum.
4. OPEN CUP REMATCH IN PHILLY
While they may have passed on Honduran international Wilson Palacios, the Philadelphia Union still have some personnel issues to sort out as they prepare to host the Seattle Sounders tonight (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE) in a rematch of last year's dramatic US Open Cup championship game. Sounders star Clint Dempsey won't be there due to suspension, but USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann has come to his defense following his recent red card.
5. TIME TO BOUNCE BACK
Now winless in their last six MLS games, Columbus Crew SC face the prospect of four games in 11 days, beginning with a tough test against the New England Revolution (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), who themselves are looking to bounce back from their loss to D.C. United on Sunday.
6. LIONS AIM FOR QUICK RECOVERY
Coming off a defeat against the Montreal Impact on Saturday, Orlando City will be looking for a much more positive result when the Colorado Rapids visit the CItrus Bowl tonight (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), despite a number of injury concerns. The Rapids meanwhile, buoyed by their late equalizer last Friday against FC Dallas, will be looking for a first league win in five games.
7. ROLFE FACES FORMER CLUB
The Chicago Fire will be trying to avoid losing a fourth consecutive MLS match when they take on D.C. United tonight (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), but they'll have to do it against former star Chris Rolfe, who opened up about his departure from his old club. Meanwhile, Ben Olsen is playing a longer game as he prepares United for a five-game road trip.
8. KLINSMANN’S VETERANS
US Soccer announced its 23-man roster for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, with Klinsmann opting for an experienced side featuring 17 players from last summer’s FIFA World Cup. There was no place in the initial squad for Matt Besler or DaMarcus Beasley, but Klinsmann can make six changes after the group stage.
9. CANADA’S BEST HOPE?
Canada’s 23-man Gold Cup squad features 10 MLS players, but not Portland Timbers captain Will Johnson. Head coach Benito Floro's team is full of confidence after easily dispatching Dominica in World Cup qualifying, but the Gold Cup is where the real test starts.
10. WHO ELSE IS GOING FOR GOLD?
All in all, there were 45 MLS players named to the various Gold Cup squads (for the group stage, at least), and you can check out that full list right here along with each nation’s complete roster right here. Want to know how to watch the tournament? We’ve got that covered as well.
11. VIEIRA’S VERDICT
With the imminent arrival of Angelino, New York City FC will soon have two players on loan from sister club Manchester City, both of whom come with high praise from Patrick Vieira, the head coach of Manchester City’s Elite Development squad. Meanwhile, another Manchester City player has reaffirmed his wish to play in MLS one day.
12. DEDICATED TO DAD
When Kianz Froese scored his first MLS goal on Saturday for the Vancouver Whitecaps, just hours before Father’s Day, he dedicated it to his own father. Yet that particular story goes a lot deeper.
13. TFC PASS ON GALLOPPA
Looks like Toronto FC’s Italian quota is staying the same for the foreseeable future, as reports indicate the club will not be pursuing a contract for Italian midfielder Daniele Galloppa.
14. YEDLIN TALKS TRANSFERS
As we look ahead at what the future might hold for a number of American exports in England, DeAndre Yedlin took to Twitter on Tuesday to weigh in on speculation regarding his own future. Over in Germany, though, Julian Green appears to be just as determined as ever.
15. DONOVAN’S GOT JOKES
Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of Landon Donovan’s monumental goal against Algeria, but despite his importance to American soccer over the years (and the fact he retired last year), it looks as though the former LA Galaxy star has once again been “snubbed” by the US national team.
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