Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. GALAXY OVERPOWER DC UNITED
The gifts keep coming for Landon Donovan as he approaches the close of his career, and he's hitting a rich vein of form, too. He played his part in the LA Galaxy’s 4-1 win over D.C. United (HIGHLIGHTS), with a goal and two assists. Meanwhile, United, despite a busy schedule, refused to make excuses.
2. DELAGARZA'S TOUGHEST BATTLE
You could forgive Galaxy defender A.J. DeLaGarza -- who earned an assist against D.C. -- for being distracted on Wednesday. On Thursday morning, his son will be born and immediately undergo a series of surgeries to correct a congenital heart defect.
3. JERMAINE'S FINAL NUDGE
Charlie Davies may have helped sell Boston to Jermaine Jones, but what was it that really convinced the World Cup standout to embrace the New England Revolution? Well, according to Jones himself, it was US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
4. THE IRON CURTIN
Having beaten them once this year in the US Open Cup, the Philadelphia Union take on their USL PRO affiliate, the Harrisburg City Islanders, in a friendly on Thursday night. The Union are in form right now, and there is no denying the impact of interim head coach Jim Curtin. The recent success has put Curtin on "the short short list, for sure."
5. THE COLORADO WAY
The Colorado Rapids are struggling through a five-game losing streak and a plague of injuries, but is it all building toward a stronger product down the line? Club General Manager Tim Hinchey has some thoughts on the subject.
6. PUSHING FOR POSITION
With Giancarlo Gonzalez transferred out, the Columbus Crew’s remaining Costa Ricans took the time to wish him well with his new club. However, his departure also leaves two young Americans fighting to take his place.
7. BATTLEFIELD NEW YORK
Having gotten their CONCACAF Champions League campaign off to a good start, the New York Red Bulls are now focused on their upcoming clash with longtime rivals D.C. United (Sunday, 2:30 pm ET, NBCSN). Speaking of rivals, the Red Bulls are also prepping for a "battle for hearst and minds" with New York City FC.
8. FUTURE RED BULLS CAPTAIN?
If New York coach Mike Petke has his way, 19-year-old Homegrown defender Matt Miazga "one day is going to be a captain of this club."
9. DALLAS DEPTH
Walter Cabrera, the Paraguayan defender recently acquired by FC Dallas, has yet to make a start. Given the club's 10-game unbeaten streak, there’s no rush as he takes "time to adapt and understand the league".
10. DERO’S NOT READY TO HANG 'EM UP
Despite making limited appearances for Toronto FC this season, as well as being 36 years of age, Dwayne De Rosario insists he isn’t thinking about retirement: “Right now I enjoy playing, in spite of everything, and I still feel like I've got a lot to offer.“
11. KEMPIN’S MOMENT
Sporting KC's starting goalkeeper, Jon Kempin, who entered the season having never played a minute of MLS action, admits he's been on a whirlwind ride. "It's obviously been really crazy lately," he said. But how long will it last?
12. SAN ANTONIO SUPPORT FOR MLS BID?
Potential MLS expansion markets continue to make noise across the nation. This time, it's San Antonio, where Gordon Hartman, owner of the NASL's Scorpions, is lobbying for more involvement from the city, which he says could serve as a "catalyst" for the city's expansion bid.
13. NWSL COACH OF THE YEAR
The Seattle Reign are set to host FC Kansas City in the NWSL championship this Sunday, and Seattle got some big news to help bolster them as they prepare when head coach Laura Harvey was named Coach of the Year. The NWSL also announced that its 2015 schedule will consist of 20 games, four shorter than this season, and include a two-week break during the group stage of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.
14. ADDED EXPERIENCE FOR CANMNT
The Canadian national team is gearing up for a friendly against Jamaica on Sept. 9, adding an experienced youth coach to manager Benito Floro's staff.
15. CAMERON INJURED
Geoff Cameron made his return to the Stoke City starting lineup for their midweek League Cup game against Portsmouth, but the US international was forced off after 37 minutes through injury. No word on the extent of the injury, but it obviously could affect his chances of a transfer away from the club. Regardless, Robbie Earle thinks the former Houston Dynamo star should stay at Stoke.
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