Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Here comes Montreal
The Montreal Impact climbed to within two points of the last playoff slot in the East thanks to a 3-0 cruise past Wednesday guests Chicago Fire in the kickoff to Week 24. Superstar Ignacio Piatti scored a pair of spectacular goals to lead the way in sending the Fire to their fourth loss in five. RECAP
Following their third straight win, Impact boss Mauro Biello declared that his side can now compete with everyone in the league. READ MORE
Best sports fan experience in USA? It's in MLS
Major League Soccer clubs fared very well indeed in a JD Power & Associates Fan Experience survey covering all pro sports in 11 heavily populated regions and cities across the USA. The New York Red Bulls topped all 67 teams, while four other MLS clubs ranked first in their respective area. READ MORE
Forbes releases MLS team valuations
The LA Galaxy surpassed the Seattle Sounders as the most valuable team in MLS, according to the annual list compiled by Forbes which was published on Wednesday. Both 2015 expansion teams, Orlando City and New York City FC, rank in the top 5. READ MORE
Big questions for Timbers
Portland coach Caleb Porter has several selection woes for their Friday home tilt with the New York Red Bulls (10 pm ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes in USA; MLS LIVE in Canada). Starters Fanendo Adi, Jake Gleeson and Liam Ridgewell are expected to miss out with injuries. READ MORE
Rapids reveal the plan
In an open letter written to the team's fans, Colorado executives explained the decision to let coach Pablo Mastroeni go by insisting that the club needs to evolve. READ MORE
Transfer talk: Van Damme, Clark, Konate
Local scribe Kevin Baxter reports that a move to send Jelle Van Damme to Royal Antwerp is close to being completed, with the hold-up apparently related to the Galaxy's negotiations with replacement signing Michael Ciani. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Sparta Prague say they are in talks with NYCFC over Ivory Coast winger Tiemoko Konate. READ MORE
And early Thursday morning D.C. United announced the signing of former Columbus netminder Steve Clark, who was out of contract at AC Horsens. READ MORE
Brooks shelved until November
National team fans got some bad news out of Germany on Wednesday, when Wolfsburg announced that John Anthony Brooks will miss about three months with torn tendons in his thigh. That timeline means he will miss all four of the USMNT's remaining 2018 World Cup qualifiers. READ MORE
New digs: Atlanta, Minnesota
With Atlanta United set to christen their new Mercedes-Benz Stadium for soccer action next month, we give you all 10 reasons to fall in love with their new home. READ MORE
And though it won't open until 2019, Minnesota United's new stadium is sure to be the envy of clubs all over the world. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch:
Beyond The Stands: The Timbers Army gives back to local foster kids
