Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. REVS KEEP ROLLING
The New England Revolution secured their fourth win in a row with a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire (watch highlights here), and having trailed 1-0, the Revs were pleased with their strong comeback. Fire boss Frank Yallop, on the other hand, questioned his players' tactical understanding.
2. TIMBERS COMEBACK
The Portland Timbers took 32 shots, the team's highest ever MLS total, against the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday as they twice came from behind to secure a 3-3 draw at Providence Park (watch highlights here). Chris Wondolowski did his part to try and secure a win for the Quakes but was left stunned by his side giving up a two-goal lead and a late 3-2 advantage as well.
3. CREW OUTLAST CHIVAS USA
Things were pretty even during the first half of the Columbus Crew’s game against Chivas USA in Ohio on Sunday, but the visitors were unable to keep up in the second half, losing 3-0 (watch highlights here) thanks to two extremely well-taken goals from Justin Meram.
4. HENRY LEADS THE WAY
Thierry Henry played like a man possessed, scoring one of the goals of the season to help the New York Red Bulls beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 (watch highlights here). The result consigns SKC to their fourth straight defeat, but in spite of this, Peter Vermes isn’t worried.
5. PHILLY SURGE INTO PLAYOFF PLACES
Greg Vanney is planning a back-to-basics approach for his new Toronto FC side following their second loss to the Philadelphia Union in four days on Saturday (watch highlights here). The result means Toronto drop out of the playoff places, while the Union climb into fourth and, on the back of their 2-0 win, the team is full of confidence.
6. WELCOME BACK, SABO
It took Alvaro Saborío just one touch to announce his return on Saturday, with the Costa Rican forward scoring just seconds after coming on to help lead Real Salt Lake to a 2-1 victory over conference rivals FC Dallas (watch highlights here).
7. US OR CANADA FOR TESHO?
Despite the defeat, Oscar Pareja was full of praise for Tesho Akindele after the game, suggesting the Rookie of the Year candidate can play a big part in helping turn things back around. The young forward is keen to do the same, and with a US citizenship test coming up, could he be eyeing a future with the US national team?
8. STAYIN' ALIVE
The Houston Dynamo kept their slim playoff hopes alive with a 3-2 home win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday (watch highlights here), completing a second-half comeback with an acrobatic finish from Ricardo Clark. Frustrated Impact coach Frank Klopas wondered why his team was denied a "100-percent PK" in the final minutes.
9. A HUGE POINT
Despite a fourth game in a row without scoring, the Vancouver Whitecaps managed to avoid losing three consecutive games following a 0-0 draw with D.C. United (watch highlights here). For United, another draw on the road moves them one point closer to securing a playoff place.
10. D.C. ADD DEPTH
D.C United were missing both Chris Rolfe and Eddie Johnson for the trip to Vancouver, but reinforcements are on the way in another much-needed area after the club signed 25-year-old Ghanaian fullback Samuel Inkoom.
11. GALAXY HIT RAPIDS FOR SIX
Friday was an emotional evening for the LA Galaxy following the news that AJ DeLaGarza’s son had passed away, but the players paid the best tribute they could by beating the Colorado Rapids 6-0 (watch highlight here). The Rapids chances weren't helped when goalkeeper Joe Nasco earned the fastest red card in MLS history, but they insist the huge defeat is “only one game.”
12. PAUSE FOR THOUGHT
Logan Pause was on the bench during the Chicago Fire’s Sunday loss, as he has been for much of the season, and the 12-year Fire veteran announced on Friday that this will be his final year with the club, as he intends to retire at the end of the current campaign.
13. ORLANDO MARCH ON
Orlando City played their final USL PRO regular season game on Saturday, beating the Richmond Kickers 1-0 to remain unbeaten at home this year. Could a number of similarities with Portland help show the future for MLS’ newest club?
14. READY TO PLAY
While Andrew Jacobson is currently enjoying his time in Norway, the midfielder insists he can’t wait to start playing for Jason Kreis’ New York City FC side. Frank Lampard, on the other hand, has suggested that he would have quite happily stayed at Chelsea had the opportunity presented itself.
15. INTERNATIONAL ROUNDUP
Mexico’s first game since the World Cup, against Chile at Levi’s Stadium, finished 0-0, a promising sign for the future of El Tri, while in other international action, the Copa Centroamericana continued, with Costa Rica and Guatemala securing their places at next year’s Gold Cup.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Armchair Anayst: The Jermaine Jones experience, Galaxy greatness, other Week 26 thoughts
Stoitchkov: Bradley and Arena “fathers” of the next MLS coaching generation
Liam Ridgewell: A continental change and a new challenge
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