Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. CAN NYCFC STOP THE SLIDE?
Jason Kreis’ side have two games to avoid an unwanted record. The Miami Fusion registered the longest expansion team losing streak by suffering six straight defeats in 1998. New York City FC are currently on a four-game losing skid as they continue their slide towards the foot of the Eastern Conference standings. And now they face Chicago at Yankee Stadium in the first half of an intriguing Viernes de Futbol doubleheader (7 pm ET; Univision Deportes/UnivisionDeportes.com and in English via SAP, MLS LIVE in Canada/Mexico). As with other visiting teams in the Bronx, the dimensions of the pitch are a talking point for the Fire.
2. BLAS VS. BWP ON VIERNES DE FUTBOL
Blas Perez is a man for the big occasion. But as was underlined last week when he scored a brace in the first-ever New York rivalry match, Bradley Wright-Phillips also has a penchant for big goals, too. With both FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls in good form, their Friday night clash (9 pm ET; Univision Deportes/UnivisionDeportes.com and in English via SAP,, MLS LIVE in Canada/Mexico) pits two of the best strikers in the league against one another. Bring on the goals!
3. CASTILLO IS THE REAL DEAL!
Hailed as one of MLS’ brightest young talents since joining FC Dallas in 2011, Fabian Castillo is looking more and more like the finished article, as demonstrated by this infographic charting just how good the Colombian is on the ball. Spoiler: he’s really good at dribbling.
4. OBA IN DOUBT FOR CASCADIA CLASH?
The Seattle Sounders will play their second Cascadia Cup game of the season on Saturday as they head north to visit the Vancouver Whitecaps (7 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN1 in Canada). Sigi Schmid could be without his Goal of the Year-scoring, back-flipping top marksmen, as Obafemi Martins missed practice Thursday to undergo X-ray tests on an unspecified injury. Schmid says a decision will be taken on the striker’s fitness Friday. Meanwhile the Sounders’ goalkeepers have spoken about heckling and what they hear from crowds across MLS.
5. 'I’M ON MY WAY. REGARDS, STEVIE G'
As MLSsoccer's Benjamin Baer
points out
, Steven Gerrard’s arrival in Carson cannot come soon enough for the LA Galaxy. That's the case for the outgoing Liverpool captain as well, who says he made the decision to leave Anfield to
play games as a regular starter, not a reserve
.
6. MLS MOVES INTO CHINA
Another day, another new television deal for the league. Following the announcement of new broadcast partners in the UK and Europe, MLS now has a new home in China. North America's top flight will now be shown on Letv Sports as MLS aims to make an impression in a market the sport has been trying to crack for decades.
7. TFC SEEK SOLUTION TO REVOLUTION
The New England Revolution might not have been pleased to fumble away a late lead in last week's 2-2 draw at Orlando City, but they at least they extended their unbeaten run to eight games. That's a big reason why Jay Heaps’ side are favorites to claim victory over Toronto FC – who are without a win against the Revs since 2010 – on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
8. WIDER BAN ON VULGAR FANS?
The video of CityNews reporter Shauna Hart's encounter with a group of supporters outside BMO Field has led to serious consequences for those involved. The club has already imposed a stadium ban against the men involved in the incident, and now MLS could make that a league-wide punishment, according to the Toronto Sun.
9. CANADA TO USA VIA SYDNEY
With the US women’s national team in final preparations for this summer's Women's World Cup, SB Nation profiles one of the side’s shining stars, Sydney Leroux. The Western New York Flash striker was inspired as a nine-year-old Canadian by the beloved USWNT of the 1990s, and now she will have the chance to make her mark on the world scene in Canada this summer. Funny how things come full circle.
10. FRIEDEL SET TO FINALLY HANG UP GLOVES
The man who defied retirement for longer than time itself is set to retire. Brad Friedel, the American goalkeeper (now with Tottenham) whose career has spanned generations with teams in Major League Soccer and the English Premier League, will hang up his gloves
at the end of the season
. Having spent the past two decades
making saves and opening minds
, Friedel will now be the one firing shots in his new role as an analyst and pundit for Fox Soccer.
11. KITCHEN ADDRESSES EURO INTEREST
D.C. United and US national team midfielder Perry Kitchen hopped on the phone with the guys at ExtraTime Radioon Thursday to talk "luck," rumored transfer interest and Jurgen Klinsmann's vision for his role with the Nats. There's also a weekend preview to help you get ready for Week 11.
12. ROAD TO RIO RUNS THROUGH KC
With the CONCACAF Gold Cup coming up this summer, it might be difficult to think ahead to the 2016 Olympic Games. But if the United States and Canada are to qualify, the road to Rio will run through Kansas City. Sporting Park has been announced as one of the host venues for CONCACAF’s qualifying competition in October, with fellow MLS venues Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, StubHub Center and Rio Tinto Stadium also named host stadiums. Five rings, four venues.
13. SPECTOR EXTENDS BRUM STAY
Jonathan Spector revealed last month that he wished to remain with the English Championship club Birmingham City, and the Illinois native got exactly what he wanted after signing a two-year extension, despite the reported interest from several MLS teams.
14. CAN MONTREAL FINALLY MAKE AN IMPACT IN MLS?
The Montreal Impact have had their fair share of distractions in 2015. First, their run all the way to the final of the CONCACAF Champions League. Now, their Canadian Championship campaign has proved something of a diversion. But with Frank Klopas’ side playing just five MLS games ahead of the weekend, roughly half as many as any other team in the league, the Impact must now turn their attention to climbing the East standings, starting with Real Salt Lake's visit to Stade Saputo on Saturday (4 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US, TSN in Canada).
15. THE QUAKES INVITE US INTO THEIR CRIB
We all know how the routine goes: Wealthy star opens their doors to the cameras, showing off their home cinema, shoe collections and what’s in the refrigerator. Well, now it’s Marvell Wynne’s turn. The San Jose Earthquakes defender got to do his own MLS rendition of "MTV Cribs,"
showing us around a gleaming Avaya Stadium
.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Weekend Preview: How can scuffling trio get off the struggle bus?
Find out who won the AT&T Goal of the Week and the Save of the Week
On the Field, presented by Windows: Mauro to Tesho - a thing of beauty
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