Kick Off: Transfer Deadline recap | Week 23 preview | LA-NYC on ESPN2

Blerim Dzemaili - Montreal Impact - July 1, 2017

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:


ExtraTime Radio: Deadline Day Winners and Losers


ExtraTime Radio Podcast

Kick Off: Transfer Deadline recap | Week 23 preview | LA-NYC on ESPN2 -


LISTEN: Who won a pleasantly busy transfer window? D.C. United, who splashed the cash? LAFC, who got a coach and a foundational star? How about Sporting KC, which stockpiled allocation money? Maybe Crew SC, who got the cash and a DP? Former Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis and D.C. United general manager Dave Kasper are featured guests! Subscribe now and "Like" our Facebook page so you never miss a show! Download this episode!


Listen to ExtraTime Radio driven by Continental for a breakdown of a hectic Transfer Deadline Day with former MLS executive and New York Red Bulls sporting director Ali Curtis. Then, D.C. GM Dave Kasper chats about the club's financial splash, effort to get younger and more dynamic ahead of the opening of Audi Field and ongoing contract negotiations with Bill Hamid. LISTEN NOW | SUBSCRIBE


Sporting ride high into Seattle


The weekend MLS slate will begin with perhaps the tastiest matchup, in which West leaders Sporting KC visit a red-hot Seattle side on Saturday afternoon (4 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The defending MLS champs have four wins in five and a 310-minute shutout streak, while their guests (who are fresh off a US Open Cup semifinal victory) have not tasted defeat in any competition since May. PREVIEW


The Sounders capped their busy summer transfer spree with a last-minute trade before the deadline. The champs spent a draft pick to acquire defensive midfielder Calum Mallace from Montreal. READ MORE


Resurgent Timbers invade Toronto


Having now emerged from a summer swoon, Portland attempt to score their first win at BMO Field when they visit Supporters' Shield front-runners Toronto FC for a Saturday duel (6 pm ET | TSN; MLS LIVE in US). Though unbeaten in five, Greg Vanney's bunch have been forced to settle for draws in three of their last four games. PREVIEW


With competition for starting places high in his exceptionally deep squad, Reds GM Tim Bezbatchenko was quite content to stand pat at the transfer deadline. READ MORE


Crew SC sets derby trap for Chicago


Old rivals Chicago and Columbus will clash for the 60th time in league play on Saturday at MAPFRE Stadium (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). While the Fire do hold an eight-win advantage in the overall series, they are 0-4-2 in their last six visits to Ohio. PREVIEW


The Fire have a couple of key players in some doubt for the game. Midfield ace Dax McCarty has missed two straight practice sessions with an illness, while All-Star defender Johan Kappelhof is nursing a groin injury picked up in training on Wednesday. READ MORE


Can NYCFC prolong LA's home struggles?

Kick Off: Transfer Deadline recap | Week 23 preview | LA-NYC on ESPN2 - https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/images/8-11-LA-ESPN-dosssantos.png

Having suffered rough losses in their last two road games, Supporters' Shield chasers New York City FC hope to take advantage of the LA Galaxy's shocking home struggles when the teams meet on Saturday (11 pm ET | ESPN2; MLS LIVE in Canada). The StubHub Center denizens are winless in their last eight in the friendly confines, their longest such run of futility in more than 11 years. PREVIEW


Although Patrick Vieira was unable to add another center back at the transfer deadline, the NYCFC boss remains confident his side can compete with any team in the league as is. READ MORE


Red Bulls take on OCSC


The New York Red Bulls will look to regroup after last weekend's derby loss when Orlando City comes calling for a Saturday tilt (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). With a win this weekend, the Lions can sweep the season set and level the all-time series. PREVIEW


The Lions will need to make do without backline marshal Jonathan Spector, who is expected to miss 2-3 weeks with a Lateral Collateral Ligament sprain. READ MORE


Rapids aim to play Dallas spoilers


FC Dallas will probably be expecting to snap a two-game losing skid in Saturday's home tilt with Western basement dwellers Colorado (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Dallas should refrain from overconfidence, though; even if the Rapids are 0-11-1 in their last 12 away matches, they've won on their last two trips to Toyota Stadium. PREVIEW


The Rapids pulled the trigger on a transfer deadline-beating swap, dealing Dillon Powers to Orlando City for Luis Gil and $100,000 in allocation money. READ MORE


Dynamo, Quakes jockey for position


The Western playoff race will heat up when second place Houston welcomes San Jose for a Saturday showdown (9 pm ET | MLS LIVE). If the Quakes are to post their third win in a row, they'll need more from Chris Wondolowski, who has scored but one goal in 11 games against his former employers. PREVIEW


Both of these clubs received good marks in Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle's summer transfer report card for all 22 MLS teams. READ MORE


Union, Impact battle in Philly


A pair of Eastern teams hoping to make late surges to the postseason will lock horns on Saturday when Philadelphia plays hosts to Montreal (8 pm ET | TVAS; MLS LIVE in US). Though the Impact are unbeaten in the last five meetings between the two, they have never won in the City of Brotherly Love. PREVIEW


In a league littered with star playmakers, Ben Baer writes that the one to keep an eye on down the stretch is Montreal's productive Blerim Dzemaili. READ MORE


Revs host warming Vancouver


Sudden road warriors Vancouver will renew their playoff push with Saturday's visit to New England (8 pm ET | TSN; MLS LIVE in US). Not only are Carl Robinson's boys unbeaten in three away from home, but they also were victorious on their last trip to Gillette. PREVIEW


The Whitecaps were among several clubs that pulled off a midweek move, signing free agent Egypt midfielder Aly Ghazal. READ MORE


RSL make tricky D.C. trip


Big summer spenders D.C. United will try to halt a seven-game win drought when Real Salt Lake comes town for Saturday's contest (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Though the visitors are currently unbeaten in five, they've dropped four straight at RFK, where they've yet to win in 10 tries. PREVIEW


Soccer Insider Steven Goff explains how D.C. United's summer splurge was made possible by their new stadium ,Audi Field, which is scheduled to open next summer. READ MORE


MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch



Paul Arriola leads DC United youth movement | Armchair Analyst