Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about on this Thanksgiving morning:
1. #THANKSTOSOCCER
If you're in the US, Happy Thanksgiving! If you're in Canada or anywhere else, Happy Thursday! Either way, MLS wants to know what soccer means to you. Share your soccer memories on Twitter using the hashtag #ThanksToSoccer. And enjoy the turkey.
2. SOUNDERS ATTACK NEEDS A BOOST
Trailing 1-0 to the LA Galaxy from the first leg of the Western Conference Championship, and having only managed to score once in the playoffs so far, the Seattle Sounders admit they need to better "support" Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins in Sunday's 2nd leg.
3. GREAT SCOTT
On the other side of the ball, the Sounders are marshaled (!) by center back Chad Marshall, who on Tuesday won the 2014 Defender of the Year for a record third time. But on Wednesday, the big man shared a little of the shine with his backline partner, Zach Scott: "He's as equally deserving of this award as I am."
4. GALAXY’S STRENGTH IN DEFENSE
While the Sounders need more offense, the LA Galaxy defense has yet to concede a goal in the playoffs, which has their own Landon Donovan impressed. The LA backline has undergone various changes over the year but one of their most consistent players has been A.J. DeLaGarza.
5. PLAN DOESN’T CHANGE FOR THE RED BULLS
Jermaine Jones won’t face any disciplinary action following the New England Revolution's win over the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Championship, but Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke says that won't change anything in the side's game plan for Saturday's second leg at Gillette Stadium.
6. JONES UNFAZED
However, if part of the Red Bulls' plan is to get under Jones's skin, they may be wasting their time. The US international seems unfazed by mind games: "I have no problem when people start to hate me." One longtime observer of MLS certainly doesn't hate Jones, and his teammate Lee Nguyen recently got a little Jerry Maguire-ish when discussing Jones: "He completes us."
7. TEAL-ING THE SPOTLIGHT
Since shifting to the wing, Teal Bunbury has become a force for the Revolution. Here's why it's working so well.
8. WRIGHT-PHILLIPS REFLECTS
Unfortunately, the New England-New York second leg won't include suspended Budweiser Golden Boot-winner Bradley Wright-Phillips. The Englishman recently reflected on his 27-goal season and revealed he's a big fan of another prolific scorer: Abby Wambach. "Love that lady!" he said.
9. HOME ADVANTAGE
Both of this weekend’s second legs will be packed houses. The Seattle Sounders appear set to have at least 45,000 for their game against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, and the New England Revolution are optimistic of setting a new club record for a home playoff game.
10. KANSAS CITY FIVE
Sporting Kansas City announced on Wednesday that they exercised the options on five players, including record goal scorer Dom Dwyer. The club is also working on bringing back Aurelien Collin, but those negotiations might not be as easy as they would seem. Either way, the Sporting KC supporters will be there, just as they were in Mexico for the CONCACAF Champions League: "We were celebrities."
11. IMPACT TAKING SHAPE
The Montreal Impact likewise exercised options on 14 players on Wednesday, with another four important players, including Heath Pearce and Patrice Bernier, still in negotiations. And if reports in Italy are to be believed, "talks are under way" with Italian midfielder Marco Donadel.
12. (GASP!) AMERICAN SOCCER AHEAD OF EUROPE?
Padraig Smith doesn’t officially take over as the Colorado Rapids’ new Sporting Director until January 1, but, as the Irishman starts to learn his way around the complexities of the North American system, Smith believes, “a lot of things that are happening in America are actually ahead of Europe.”
13. FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS
Orlando City's Anthony Pulis, who recently retired from the club to take on a coaching role with the academy, discusses the changes ahead and learning from his father, Stoke City manager Tony Pulis. Pulis fils says there are "some very good young players" in the Lions' academy, but they have a ways to go before they're ready for the MLS squad.
14. ALTIDORE’S OPTIONS
While Jozy Altidore can’t get a game for EPL side Sunderland at the moment, the striker "has interest throughout Europe,” according to his agent.
15. HOW TWITTER HELPED MERAM IRAQ CALL UP
Justin Meram recently suited up for the Iraq national team in the Gulf Cup, and, while the nation may have been eliminated in the group stage, it was still a great experience for the Colombus Crew SC striker, one that seemingly came about thanks to Twitter and one obsessive fan.
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