Here are the top 15 soccer stories we’re following today and don't forget to vote for both the Etihad Airways Player of the Month and your MLS All-Star selections
1. 10-MAN TORONTO HOLD ON FOR A DRAW
Despite playing the majority of the game with a one-man advantage, the Chicago Fire were only able to manage a 1-1 draw against 10-man Toronto FC (watch highlights here). To Chicago boss Frank Yallop, the game told a familiar story, while Toronto's Ryan Nelsen is hopeful Luke Moore’s red card will be rescinded.
2. TORRES STRIKES AGAIN
Chivas USA climbed off the bottom of the Western Conference following a 1-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes (watch highlights here). The result came on the back of yet another Erick Torres goal, consigning the Quakes to their third consecutive defeat and placing them bottom of the West.
3. THE FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST
Following their latest result, the San Jose Earthquakes may be looking to make a signing or two, and it just so happens there’s some space on their roster following the news on Wednesday that the Quakes have cut 2014 draft picks Ryan Nell and Joe Sofia, as well as 2012 pick Sam Garza.
4. ADI DASSLED
The Portland Timbers got in on the action as well, releasing midfielder Aaron Long, but one Timber who isn’t going anywhere is Fanendo Adi, with the club's new signing settling into life in the Pacific Northwest quickly.
5. VALDES VALUE
Is Carlos Valdes ever coming back to the Philadelphia Union? The defender is currently in Brazil competing with the Colombian national team, but interim Union head coach Jim Curtin has stated, “he’s a guy we think for the long term we want him in a Philadelphia Union jersey.”
6. KAKA’S GOALS
Having been officially unveiled to the world on Tuesday, Orlando City's new Designated Player Kaka spent the day talking to the press (in four languages), making his ambitions clear as day. He also envisions plenty more of the game's elite players following his lead and looking to move to MLS.
7. IMPACT SIGN A NEW DP
Ignacio Piatti to the Montreal Impact has been rumored for the longest time, but on Wednesday it finally became a reality, with the Argentine midfielder joining the club as their latest Designated Player. However, Piatti won’t be joining Montreal on the field until his current club, San Lorenzo, finish their run in the Copa Libertadores.
8. NEW FACE FOR THE CREW?
Are the Columbus Crew close to signing a new forward? According to the Columbus Dispatch, they could have one as early as this week, although Gregg Berhalter insists he’s also happy with the core group he currently has.
9. BRADLEY'S BROTHER
Bradley Wright-Phillips has become one of the New York Red Bulls' best players, so could he soon be joined by his brother? Shaun Wright-Phillips has long been a rumored target, but Bradley has once again reiterated that he doesn’t know what his brother might be planning to do.
10. DONOVAN’S TWO CENTS
One of the main debates following the US’ exit is whether or not Landon Donovan could have made a difference in the last 16, and the LA Galaxy star weighed in with his own view both on the Dan Patrick Show and when talking to reporters after Galaxy training.
11. WORLD-WIDE RESPECT
While the loss to Belgium will linger in the minds of USMNT players and fans forever, it earned additional respect for two veterans of European soccer, as both Tim Howard and Geoff Cameron were named among the top players of the round. Writers in the UK also came up with 33 reasons - one more than there are teams in the World Cup - to love the US national team.
12. HERRERA 2018?
Miguel Herrera helped turn Mexico from CONCACAF laughingstocks into a side that almost knocked the Netherlands out of the World Cup, and it seems the Mexico boss is keen to have another go. Is he the right man to lead the country in 2018?
13. GIVE US FOUR
With strong showings from three of the four CONCACAF sides in Brazil, has the confederation done enough to merit an automatic fourth World Cup spot? CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb may be biased, but he certainly thinks so.
14. TIM HOWARD SAVES US ALL
Tim Howard has become an overnight sensation following his performance against Belgium, leading to both a petition for office and another great internet meme. The newly crowned secretary of defense even got a call from the real secretary of defense, not to mention one from his boss, US President Barack Obama.
15. UNFORGIVEABLE
Unfortunately, while we’ve seen plenty of soccer’s best moments recently, now we have to focus on one of its worst, as John Bieniewicz, a local referee in the Detroit area, has died after being punched by a player while refereeing an adult league game.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
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A soccer nation: US – Belgium sets ESPN ratings record for a soccer match.
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