Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Fire captain McCarty returns to RBNY
Chicago Fire traffic director Dax McCarty says it will be a little strange upon his return to Red Bull Arena on Saturday (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). And though he looks at the visit as a chance to say a proper goodbye to the fans there, the former New York skipper is also plotting to leave town with three points for his new side. READ MORE
Timbers' Valeri, D.C.'s Le Toux ruled out for weekend
West leaders Portland will be missing an early MVP candidate in their big Saturday showdown at FC Dallas (8pm ET | MLS LIVE). Like their starting netminder Jake Gleeson, Timbers star playmaker Diego Valeri is sidelined with a hip ailment. READ MORE
Over in the nation's capital, an already injury-laden D.C. United side will now need to go without veteran attacker Sebastian Le Toux when they invade Atlanta on Sunday (3pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). READ MORE
RSL backing understudy Van Oekel
Real Salt Lake boss Mike Petke and his veteran charges are showing faith in the ability of back-up netminder to ably spell Nick Rimando while the veteran sits out Saturday's trip to face Sporting KC (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE) with an injury. READ MORE
Reports: Crowd growing around Larin
According to Canadian journalist Anthony Totera, Bundesliga side Borussia Moenchengladbach were on hand to scout Orlando City strike ace Cyle Larin during their weekend win at New York City FC. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Belgian outlet Het Belang van Limburg has added Club Brugge, Genk, Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg to the list of European clubs reportedly sizing up the Lions star. The article does add that Larin has become too pricey for Europa League quarterfinalists Genk, for whom he was purportedly the top summer target. READ MORE
U-17 WCQ: US tops El Tri
Two months after the US Under-20's pulled off their first competitive victory over Mexico, the U-17's have matched the feat. Josh Sargeant scored twice as our boys logged a 4-3 CONCACAF U-17 Championship win that has set them up well for the next round of the tourney, which doubles as this age group's World Cup qualifiers. READ MORE
Abu pressed into Crew SC duty
One man's break can be another man's... well, break. For Columbus' Mohammed Abu, his chance to shine has come as a result a cracked wrist suffered by Artur. READ MORE
Exports: Omar Gonzalez helps Pachuca win CCL
Omar Gonzalez went the distance as Pachuca edged Tigres 1-0 to win the CONCACAF Champions League on Wednesday night. The former LA Galaxy man becomes the third American to raise the trophy. READ MORE
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