Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. KINGS OF NEW YORK
Sacha Kljestan helped the New York Red Bulls banish any memories of last year’s US Open Cup defeat to the New York Cosmos, leading his side to a 4-1 victory over the NASL club and securing another local win in the space of four days.
2. FANTASTIC FOUR
Dom Dwyer continues to break records for Sporting Kansas City, this time becoming the first player in club history to score four goals in a single game, as his side eased their way to a 6-2 victory over FC Dallas in the US Open Cup.
3. SALT LAKE EASE PAST TIMBERS
Real Salt Lake also secured their place in the US Open Cup quarterfinals following a comfortable 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers, with Sebastian Jaime and Javier Morales scoring the goals for the home side.
4. GALAXY GET THEIR REVENGE
While it wasn’t quite as comprehensive a victory, the LA Galaxy earned some revenge for their weekend defeat against the San Jose Earthquakes by beating their California rivals 1-0 in the US Open Cup and, in doing so, also earning their first road win since last August.
5. READY FOR A REMATCH?
The finalists are set for the 2015 Women’s World Cup: With Japan beating England 2-1 in their semifinal, the game in Vancouver this Sunday (7 pm ET, FOX, Telemundo) will be a rematch of the 2011 final. With Carli Lloyd stepping up for the US, can they avenge their defeat of four years ago?
6. DIABY TO DALLAS?
With Abou Diaby on his way out at English Premier League side Arsenal, rumors have emerged linking the French midfielder with a move to FC Dallas.
7. DOS SANTOS EDGING CLOSER TO LA?
Giovani Dos Santos’ rumored move to MLS seems to be coming closer to reality, with the LA Galaxy emerging as his potential destination, after sources indicate that talks between the player and the club are at a “very advanced” stage.
8. HERNANDEZ GETS HURT
While Mexico’s Javier Hernandez continues to be linked with a move to MLS, the striker’s participation in this summer’s Gold Cup appears to be in doubt after fracturing his collarbone in El Tri’s 0-0 draw with Honduras on Wednesday.
9. CAPTAIN BRADLEY
Following his impressive leadership during the US national team’s recent European victories,
Michael Bradley has been named as captain of the squad
for the upcoming Gold Cup campaign.
10. ARISTEGUIETA STAYING PUT
Pending official confirmation, there looks to be good news for Philadelphia Union fans regarding currently-on-loan striker Fernando Aristeguieta, with the Venezuelan forward seeming to suggest that he will remain with the club.
11. CELEBRATING A CENTURY
While goalkeeper David Ousted has been one of the Vancouver Whitecaps' best players this season, earning praise among his own teammates as their MVP, on Tuesday the club honored Gershon Koffie for his recent milestone appearance with the Canadian side.
12. SCHMID'S APOLOGY
The Seattle Sounders weren’t involved in US Open Cup action this week after being eliminated by the Portland Timbers in the previous round, and Sounders head coach Sigi Schmid has now apologized for comments he made following the conclusion of that game.
13. SURGERY FOR MORRIS
As Jordan Morris looks ahead to one final season of college soccer, the USMNTer and Seattle Sounders academy product is set to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery on a stress fracture in his leg.
14. EXAMINING OPTIONS IN MINNESOTA
July 1 was the deadline for Minnesota United to finalize their stadium plans and MLS President Mark Abbott has given an update on the situation. The club also offered up this statement on their official website.
- DONOVAN CLEARS THE AIR
Following the USWNT’s performance on Tuesday, Landon Donovan sent out a tweet in support of Abby Wambach which, to some, could have been seen as a sly barb about his own exclusion from last year’s World Cup. However, Donovan has since been on the Dan Patrick Show to set the record straight.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
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Fantasy Doctor: The wildcard, Gold Cup replacements, and you
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