Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. 10-MAN UNION COME OUT ON TOP
The Philadelphia Union pulled off what head coach Jim Curtin called “the biggest win in Union history” as, even with 10 men, they were able to beat the New York Red Bulls 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extratime. It was a tough defeat for the Red Bulls, with Jesse Marsch accepting that “Philly has our number.”
2. 10-MAN DYNAMO NOT SO LUCKY
The second US Open Cup game of the night also featured a red card, with the Houston Dynamo’s Luis Garrido shown the door in the 30th minute. This allowed Sporting Kansas City to take control and secure a 3-1 win but, according to the Dynamo, there should have been a second red issued, this time to Roger Espinoza.
3. HOSTS SET FOR SEMIS
The hosts are now set for the semifinals of the US Open Cup, with Sporting Kansas City hosting Real Salt Lake and the Philadelphia Union welcoming the winner of tonight’s game between the Chicago Fire and Orlando City SC (8.30 pm ET, YouTube), with both sides looking for revenge.
4. RECORD CROWD AT THE ROSE BOWL
There were also a couple of International Challenge Cup (ICC) games taking place along the West Coast on Tuesday night with the San Jose Earthquakes falling 3-1 to Manchester United at Avaya Stadium and the LA Galaxy losing 2-1 to UEFA Champions League winners Barcelona following an entertaining game in front of a record crowd at the Rose Bowl.
5. USA READY FOR THE REGGAE BOYZ
The Gold Cup semifinals take place Wednesday night at a sold-out Georgia Dome in Atlanta with the US set to take on Jamaica and Giles Barnes, whose career revival has continued on the national stage (6 pm ET, FOX Sports 1 and UniMás in USA; Sportsnet World in Canada). The USMNT’s style has differed from game to game and competition to competition, so which side will show up tonight and will they need to call on super-sub Alan Gordon?
6. DOS SANTOS TO PLAY NO PART IN SEMIS
In Wednesday’s other semifinal, Mexico will take on Panama (9 pm ET, FOX Sports 2 and UniMás in USA; Sportsnet World in Canada). Bad news for both Mexico and LA Galaxy fans: Despite Miguel Herrera's insistence that Giovani Dos Santos is fit to go, it appears he will play no part in the game.
7. FIRE WANT DROGBA, IMPACT WAITING IN THE WINGS
Is Didier Drogba heading to MLS? Both the Chicago Fire and the Montreal Impact have declared their interest but, with the Fire holding the top spot in the Discovery process, the Impact are waiting in reserve, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claiming his former striker would be a good fit for the Canadian side.
8. PIRLO’S ON HIS WAY
Good news, New York City FC fans, Andrea Pirlo is on his way, with the Italian midfielder departing for the US on Tuesday. In other news, are NYCFC looking to start their own USL side next year? As things stand they seem to be happy with the Wilmington Hammerheads.
9. TOUGH GAMES AHEAD FOR THE TIMBERS
Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter is predicting a tough battle all the way until the end of the season as his side look to secure their place in the playoffs, but a few players from T2, Portland's USL side, may have done enough to impress following a 4-3 victory over EPL side Newcastle United on Tuesday.
10. INTEREST FROM ABROAD
Although injuries have hampered his progress slightly, Homegrown player Coy Craft is pleased with his first year as part of the FC Dallas set-up. While he's concerned about breaking into the Dallas lineup, one of the team's established starters is apparently drawing interest from Europe.
11. CLEAR SOME SPACE
Are Orlando City SC gearing up for more signings? According to general manager Paul McDonough, the club’s recent trade of Amobi Okugo to Sporting Kansas City helped them to clear “a significant amount of cap space.”
12. TIERNEY HONORED TO BE AN ALL-STAR
On Saturday, Chris Tierney found himself named to the MLS All-Star roster and, having helped stop the New England Revolution’s five-game slide the same day, the defender is now focused on enjoying a “once in a lifetime experience.”
13. SWANSON SHOWS PROGRESS
Ben Swanson was named to Landon Donovan’s roster for the Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game against Club America next week and, although he may struggle to get playing time with Columbus Crew SC this season, there appears to be definite signs that he’s developing.
14. DEFOE REFLECTS
Jermaine Defoe is back in Toronto ahead of Sunderland AFC’s game against the Englishman’s former team, Toronto FC. The former TFC Designated Player took time to speak to the local media on Tuesday, explaining his own thoughts on why his move to the Canadian side didn’t work out.
15. WHY THE WAIT?
Atlanta United FC president Darren Eales has outlined a plan for the new expansion club to be successful, ensuring top-flight soccer gets off to a great start in Atlanta. So why hasn’t the US national team visited the city since 1977?
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