Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SO FAR, SO GOOD
The Montreal Impact put in another strong performance to earn a historic 1-1 draw with Club America (HIGHLIGHTS) at the Estadio Azteca in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday night. However, the Impact weren’t happy with some of the officiating in the match, which they felt denied them a chance to win outright.
2. YOU NEED ANOTHER RESERVE
Honduran referee Hector Rodriguez was centrally involved in the most significant setback for the Impact, as goalkeeper Evan Bush will be suspended for the next match following a yellow card at the end of the game. The club plans to appeal, but should that be rejected, the Impact will turn to John Smits, the FC Edmonton loanee who almost ended Montreal’s CCL dream before it even began.
3. TRES A CERO
The US have defeated Mexico yet again, thanks to
the US U-23s' 3-0 win over Mexico’s U23s
at StubHub Center. The Vancouver Whitecaps' Christian Dean grabbed one of the goals, as did Seattle Sounders academy product Jordan Morris, scoring against Mexico for the second time in two weeks.
4. SOUNDERS MOVE FOR MORRIS
Prior to Morris’ latest heroics on Wednesday, Sports Illustrated reported that the Sounders have taken the next steps to try and secure the Stanford student's services upon graduation, apparently offering him a lucrative Homegrown Player contract. Are the Sounders also after a Brazilian midfielder?
5. RONALDO TO LA?
Is Cristiano Ronaldo planning to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham? The Real Madrid star was busy advancing in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, thanks to a goal from Javier Hernandez. But the current World Player of the Year is said to be eyeing a move to LA in 2018, also according to SI.
6. TIMBERS STARS READY TO RETURN
Both Diego Valeri and Will Johnson participated in full Portland Timbers training on Wednesday. While Valeri may even feature in the big game against the Seattle Sounders at the weekend (Sunday, 9:30 pm ET, Fox Sports 1, Fox Deportes), Will Johnson is expected to play for Timbers 2 on Saturday.
7. GETTING PHYSICAL
As the brace on his left hand will attest, Philadelphia Union forward Fernando Aristeguieta has been through the grinder a fair bit already this season. The Venezuelan is more than willing to play through the pain, but he’s still adjusting to the more physical nature of MLS.
8. CHARLES IN CHARGE
Having hinted earlier in the week that they might recall some of their players out on loan, the Colorado Rapids proceeded to do just that on Wednesday, bringing back Charles Eloundou from the Charlotte Independence to help bolster their depleted forward ranks.
9. RED BULLS II FALL TO THE KICKERS
The New York Red Bulls have really benefitted from Lloyd Sam’s more aggressive attitude this season, and it seems the New York Red Bulls II could use someone like that: A penalty kick consigned the USL side to a 1-0 defeat to the Richmond Kickers on Wednesday.
- YOUNG AT HEART
Wednesday also marked Kaka’s birthday. Orlando City's Designated Player has just turned 33, yet the Brazilian claimed it’s a "young 33" insisting the pressure to lead Orlando City to success is all the motivation he needs to keep going for a good long time.
11. SAEID SHOWS HIS VERSATILITY
With Wil Trapp still recovering from a concussion, Columbus Crew SC’s game against the Philadelphia Union (Saturday, 7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) might give Mohammed Saeid another chance to show his skill in multiple positions across the midfield.
12. ESPINDOLA KEEN TO CATCH UP
D.C. United head to Vancouver this weekend to take on the league-leading Whitecaps (Saturday, 10:30 pm ET, TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). And with his lengthy suspension now concluded, DC can bring forward Fabian Espindola with them as well, and the star striker is keen to “make up for wasted time.”
13. BOCANEGRA BUILDING A VISION
Having been recently named the technical director of Atlanta’s MLS expansion franchise, Carlos Bocanegra is looking forward to helping put his own stamp on the future team. That includes helping shape the culture and tradition at the club, but also making sure they get off to a good start.
14. JONES PREFERS MIDFIELD
Injury forced Jermaine Jones to play center back for the New England Revolution at the weekend, but Jones himself has made it clear that he thinks his best position is in midfield. He’s played in defense for the US national team as well but, given the depth of the player pool in that position now, is there any need to continue that experiment?
- MCBRIDE ON USMNT
When it comes to American soccer, few have seen and done quite as much as Brian McBride. The now-retired striker offered his thoughts to ESPN on MLS, Jurgen Klinsmann and the USMNT.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Young DP Alexander Lopez draws rave review in rare start for Houston
Chicago Fire ready for NYCFC test following “second preseason”
Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney says past precedent gives reason for optimism
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