Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Caps make scary trip to Houston
Vancouver have impressively won two straight away from home, but now they must try to do something no MLS club has accomplished this season: win at Houston. Heading into Friday's match (9 pm ET | TSN1/3/4/5; MLS LIVE in US), the Dynamo have gone 5-0-1 at home while scoring 15 goals. PREVIEW
Kurt Larson has ranked the top five winners of the recently closed transfer window, and he placed the Dynamo at the top of the class for transforming into a club battling for the West lead with several key pick-ups. READ MORE
NYCFC come to rumble in Dallas
Two of the top teams in the league will lock horns on national television when New York City FC drops in on FC Dallas to close the league's weekend slate on Sunday night (8 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). It won't be easy for Patrick Vieira and his BX crew; not only are FCD the last unbeaten side in MLS, but they've also dropped just two of their last 38 home games in league play. PREVIEW
While answering Twitter questions this week, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle discussed the reason FC Dallas keeps winning so consistently without star man Mauro Diaz. READ MORE
Red-hot TFC welcomes Minnesota
Toronto FC will wager their club-record five-game win streak when Minnesota United comes calling at BMO Field for the first time on Saturday afternoon (3 pm ET | CTV; MLS LIVE in US). PREVIEW
After being away from training for one day, Loons attacker Johan Venegas was back in practice on Thursday. Minnesota boss Adrian Heath had excused the frustrated Costa Rican ace to allow him to "clear his head" and regain focus. READ MORE
Inconsistent champs invade Chicago
The Chicago Fire return home from a tough road trip to face a Seattle side still looking to recover last year's MLS Cup magic in a Saturday night showdown (9pm ET | ESPN2, ESPN Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada) between rollercoaster sides. The Sounders have often played rude Toyota Park guests, losing on just one of their last five visits. PREVIEW
Leading up to the visit from defending champs Seattle, Benjamin Baer takes a look at how Chicago shifted their rebuild into high gear after missing the postseason in six of the last seven seasons. READ MORE
Orlando City set for Sporting clash
After dropping two on the road last week, Orlando City happily returns home to tackle Sporting KC in Saturday's cross-conference matchup (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Jason Kreis's men will be aiming to extend their perfect start to life at Orlando City Stadium, where they've become the first MLS club to debut a new home with five straight victories. PREVIEW
After leaking four goals at Houston last weekend, the Lions have spent this week getting their defensive ducks in a row in training. READ MORE
Crew SC braces for Impact
Columbus will have their trend-battling work cut out if they hope to correct their road form in Saturday's Eastern duel at Montreal (5 pm ET | TVAS; MLS LIVE in US). Not only have Gregg Berhalter's boys gone 3-16-4 in their last 23 away games, but the Impact have won four straight meetings between the two sides at Stade Saputo. PREVIEW
New Impact arrival Blerim Dzemaili is fresh off action with Serie A side Bologna and has pronounced himself fit to play against Columbus. The Switzerland midfielder arrives with plenty of motivation to shine, as he has declared that the chance to win MLS Cup is the reason he came to Montreal. READ MORE
Atlanta makes first Portland visit
Portland and Atlanta enjoyed strong starts to the campaign, but each will be looking to end a two-game win drought in Sunday's nationally-televised contest at Providence Park (4 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN2). The Timbers have won eight of their last 10 in the friendly confines, outscoring opponents 23-9 during that span. PREVIEW
One of the keys to Portland's success thus far this season has been midfielder David Guzman, who's making quick work of adjusting to MLS. READ MORE
Coastal clash as LA travels to RBNY
Both the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls will be searching for peak form when they meet at Red Bull Arena for a nationally-televised Sunday clash (6 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; TSN2). The Galaxy are winless in four, while their hosts arrive coming off consecutive shutout losses. PREVIEW
The Galaxy were the bearers of bad news on Thursday, announcing that fullback Robbie Rogers must sit out the entire season to recover from ankle surgery. READ MORE
Union travel for D.C. derby
Having freshly broken into the win column (at last), Philadelphia will make the short trip to face D.C. United for a Saturday night clash (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The Union will come looking for revenge after last month's 2-1 defeat at RFK, where they're winless (0-5-2) since 2013. PREVIEW
On the heels of a spectacular rookie season, Union right back Keegan Rosenberry has struggled a bit out of the blocks this year. After coming off the bench to help spark last week's win, he's aiming to regain his starting place in the nation's capital. READ MORE
Revs host shorthanded RSL
A pair of teams starving for wins of late, Real Salt lake and New England, will square off at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The squads have been evenly matched in Foxborough, with a slight edge to away side RSL (4-3-2). PREVIEW
Things were already hard enough for Salt Lake, who've had an overflowing recovery bay all season long. And now, with four youngsters off for US duty at the Under-20 World Cup, coach Mike Petke might not even have enough players to make a full 18-man game squad. READ MORE
Colorado hosts warming Quakes
Colorado will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak when San Jose comes to town for a Saturday tilt (4 pm ET | UniMás, facebook.com/univisiondeportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). The Earthquakes are currently headed in the other direction, with two straight wins and clean sheets in three of their last four games. PREVIEW
How did the Quakes land Albania winger Jahmir Hyka? It all started with an email from former MLS player and coach Mo Johnston. READ MORE
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