Kick Off: USA to meet Ecuador in Copa QFs | MLS and US Open Cup return

Greg Seltzer

Here are the top soccer stories everyone’s talking about this morning:

On To The Elite Eight

A 10-man USMNT edged Paraguay 1-0, grabbing a result good enough to top Group A and set up a quarterfinal date with Ecuador (June 16 at 9:30 pm ET on FS1, UniMás, UDN). They got some CONCACAF help to finish first, as Costa Rica bumped off Colombia to clear the way. The Montreal Impact's Johan Venegas played his part in the upset by burying a nasty cracker.

Shock Exit

Brazil went home in controversial fashion on Sunday night after dropping a disputed 1-0 decision against Peru. While lone goal scorer Raul Ruidiaz claims the winner was legit, the Samba Kings were besides themselves over what replays seemed to indicate was a clear handball on the goal.

Ecuador Up Next

La Tri, as the Ecuadorean side is also known, paced their way to the quarters by routing Haiti on Sunday night. Ecuador are now feeling cautiously optimistic about facing the US for a place in the final four on Thursday.

Shining Star

Everyone seems in agreement that John Brooks was Man of the Match from Saturday's quarterfinal-clinching win over Paraguay, with Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle, our US player ratings and his teammates among all those tabbing him as the standout.

Monday, Monday

After a thrilling weekend of play, Group C gets the stage on Monday, with Mexico battling Venezuela for the top spot (8 pm ET on FS1, Univision & UDN) and Jamaica and Uruguay tussling solely for pride in the late game (10 pm ET on FS1, UDN & UniMás).

MLS Is Back

League action returns with a full slate of Week 15 action this weekend, highlighted by Gio vs. Gio in the MLS LIVE Game of the Week (Toronto FC vs. LA Galaxy) and matches on ESPN (Sporting KC vs. FC Dallas), FS1 (NY Red Bulls vs. Seattle Sounders) and TSN (Vancouver vs. New England). Refresh your memory with a brief rundown of everything that's happened in MLS so far.

Midweek Cup Action

Before the weekend, MLS fans will have a tasty appetizer with 17 of the league's clubs involved in Round 4 of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup. Check out the full schedule here.

Across The Pond...

Copa America certainly isn't the only primetime international tourney going, as Euro 2016 kicked off over the weekend. Colorado's Shkelzen Gashi came on as a sub to participate in a key moment in Albania's slim loss to Switzerland. Teams featuring a pair of MLS stars will enter tourney play as the first round of group play continues on Monday. Robbie Keane is vowing he's still got the goals in him as Ireland opens against Sweden, while Montreal defender Laurent Ciman is battling for the right back start as Belgium tackle Italy.

Golden Kiwi

San Jose rookie Kip Colvery helped New Zealand clinch a Confederations Cup place by winning the OFC Nations Cup, continuing a dream 2016 for the defender.

Home Sweet Home

After spending so much of the season's opening months living out of suitcases, Real Salt Lake are ready to take advantage of having nine of their next 14 MLS contests at Rio Tinto.

Building Steam

It's taking a while for offseason catch Antonio Nocerino to make an impact with Orlando City, but he's determined to make up for it.

Blanco Check?

An Argentine report claims the Seattle Sounders have tabled an offer for San Lorenzo attacking midfielder Sebastian Blanco.

Red Vetting

Notable Liverpool blog This Is Anfield has included not one, but two MLS players on its list of young players the Premier league side should monitor for potential captures in the future.

Freedom Of Kiese

Over the weekend, US winger Jerome Kiesewetter made a free agent move from Stuttgart II to second flight Fortuna Duesseldorf.

Dropping The Mike

To put it mildly, it's fair to say that Sporting KC defender Ike Opara would like to see Red Bulls attacker Mike Grella make the MLS All-Star team.

Watt's Up

The Mexican national team got a special visitor during preparations for their group-closing tabletop battle with Venezuela: Houston Texans star JJ Watt.