Here are the top 15 soccer stories we’re following today...
1. GIVE ME THAT WHAT I WANT
“They have to give me that what I want.” That was Jermaine Jones' answer when, as part of an interview on Fox Sports, he was asked if he might play in MLS sometime soon, suggesting that the ball is now in the league's court.
2. QUAKES LOOKING FOR SIGNINGS
Having lost their last four games, the San Jose Earthquakes find themselves rooted to the bottom of the table. But is it too late to turn the season around? According to Quakes president Dave Kaval, “We need to get more attack-orientated players and we’re in the process of doing that.”
3. FIRE ADD TO MIDFIELD
The Chicago Fire made a move on Monday, adding Romanian international midfielder Razvan Cocis to their squad. Fire coach Frank Yallop described his new 31-year-old signing as “an experienced, well-traveled central-midfielder,” while also suggesting that Cocis won’t be the club's last signing this window.
4. EJ’LL BE IN RUSSIA
Despite Eddie Johnson being left out of the USMNT World Cup squad, the D.C. United forward is confident that he’ll be in the squad come Russia 2018. In a revealing interview, Johnson also talks about potentially playing in Florida one day.
5. THE DEADLIEST PAIRING
Following their 2-0 win against the Portland Timbers, the Seattle Sounders opened up a 10-point lead in the Western Conference. With the return of both Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins on Sunday proving key for the Sounders, is there a more effective partnership in the league?
6. IF THE PRICE IS RIGHT
While the Sounders continue to nurture future stars such as Brazilian forward Fabio Pereira, the club appears likely to lose DeAndre Yedlin at some point. However, if the latest rumors are to be believed, he’s only going if the price is right.
7. PLENTY OF POSITIVES
Ethan White made his first start for the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, and although the team may have conceded three goals, interim coach Jim Curtin was still impressed by what he saw from the young defender. He’ll also be hoping for good things from new forward Brian Brown, who isn't hurting for confidence: “That’s what I do best, score goals.”
8. LEARNING FROM THE BEST
With Thierry Henry becoming MLS’ new assist king -- he's got nine to his name this season already -- it shouldn't be surprising that Bradley Wright-Phillips is leading the race for the Golden Boot. Can the Englishman keep up his form and become one of the Red Bull greats?
9. WHERE DID THE GOALS GO?
There was a time when Real Salt Lake seemed to be scoring goals for fun, but that time has passed and the club appears to be going through something of a drought. Why have the goals dried up and what can be done?
10. BENDIK’S BACK
While Julio Cesar’s World Cup journey has come to an end, the Brazilian international goalkeeper looks set to return to Queens Park Rangers in England. Toronto FC fans needn’t worry, though, for as Joe Bendik reminded everyone this weekend, they already had a more than capable 'keeper in the first place.
11. COLORADO’S LATEST YOUNG STAR
Marlon Hairston, the Colorado Rapids 20-year-old rookie, has already been making quite a name for himself in Denver. How did the young midfielder arrive at this point and what might the future hold?
12. HERZOG’S ROAD TO RIO?
Andy Herzog has been part of Jurgen Klinsmann’s coaching set up for some time now, but does the Austrian see himself progressing in a similar way to Joachim Löw? According to the former midfielder himself, his next target is to be head coach of the US Olympic team.
13. COMMISSIONER TAKES YOUR QUESTIONS
The MLS Commissioner was a busy man on Monday as he made the rounds in New York City. Not only did Don Garber ring the NASDAQ closing bell, he also found time for a Facebook Q&A during in which, as you may have guessed, expansion was once again a hot topic.
14. ADDED EDGE
As the CONCACAF Champions League results show, Liga MX may have a competitive advantage over MLS on the field for now, but one area where they certainly don’t compete is in their use of digital media.
15. A COMEDY OF ERROR?
When they tell the story about how Robbie Rogers revealed he was gay, announced his retirement and then eventually returned to MLS, you pictured comedy right? No? Well, there is a TV series in the works right now that's exactly that.
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