Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Cascadia derby on tap
The biggest game on the midweek card has West leaders Vancouver making the short trip to face Seattle (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE in the US; TSN1 in Canada). The Whitecaps, who enter the game unbeaten in seven, have incredibly taken four of the last five league meetings at CenturyLink Field. There are one of three teams that are in position to clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday. PREVIEW
In the latest edition of our MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, the Whitecaps rose to the third spot, a season high-water mark. READ MORE
Quakes need a win vs. Fire
The San Jose Earthquakes will not want to miss out on the opportunity of a home match at Avaya Stadium to keep pace with in race for a playoff spot in the West when they host the Fire on Wednesday (10:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Though the Fire have often played rude guests in San Jose throughout their history, they are winless (0W-3L-1D with a -7 goal differential) on their last four visits. PREVIEW
Local reporter Guillermo Rivera has passed on word that Fire ace Bastian Schweinsteiger could be back on the weekend, but is not expected to play a part in San Jose. READ MORE
NYCFC visit desperate Impact
Montreal will try to get their playoff drive back on track when they welcome New York City FC for a midweek match (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE in the US; TSN1, TVAS in Canada). The Impact, who've lost five of their last six, have yet to beat the Bronx bombers at Stade Saputo. PREVIEW
Catch up on 24 Under 24 rankings
NYCFC's Ronald Matarrita and Montreal's Ballou Tabla are two of the names released thus far in this year's 24 Under 24 rankings, which showcase the top young players in MLS. Talents ranked No. 11-15 will be unveiled on Wednesday, with the top 10 announced in a special ExtraTime Live at 2 pm ET on Thursday. CHECK THE RANKINGS
Union enter Atlanta hot spot
East climbers Atlanta United, who can also clinch a playoff berth on Wednesday, will wager their 9W-0L-2D home unbeaten run in Wednesday's tilt against Philadelphia (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). All the trends point in favor of the Five Stripes for this one, what with the Union arriving winless on the road since mid-May. PREVIEW
Sam Stejskal writes that covering for the absence of injured playmaker Miguel Almiron is about much more than simple counting stats for Atlanta United. READ MORE
Old rivals duel in the Big Apple
Bradley Wright-Phillips (above) and the slumping New York Red Bulls will try to avoid a spoiler's punch when they open the gates for a midweek tussle with D.C. United (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The Big Apple bunch have not lost at home to D.C. since 2012, going 7W-0L-2D in this fixture during that span. PREVIEW
Will it be Steve Clark or Bill Hamid in goal for D.C.? While long-time star Bill Hamid admits his future is up in the air, the impending free agent also insists that his focus only extends as far as the next game. READ MORE
Can Dallas finally bust their slump?
FC Dallas will try to halt the 10-game winless slide that has pushed them below the playoff line when Colorado drop in for a Wednesday night match (8 pm ET | MLS LIVE). Though the Rapids have traditionally struggled in the Big D, they are currently unbeaten in three at Toyota Stadium. PREVIEW
FC Dallas midfield ace Kellyn Acosta is still battling a nagging groin injury, so he could well miss out for a second straight game. READ MORE
Strugglers meet in Houston
Fellow Texan side Houston Dynamo will try to halt a five-game winless drought of their own and get back above the playoff line when they face the slumping LA Galaxy (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). PREVIEW
It's been a rough season for Galaxy star Giovani dos Santos, but head coach Sigi Schmid is determined to get him scoring again before season's end. READ MORE
Who can keep hope alive in Orlando?
A pair of teams hoping to keep slim Eastern playoff chances alive will clash on Wednesday when New England visit Orlando City (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). While the Lions have incredibly gone six straight home games without a win, their midweek visitors have yet to win in Orlando in three tries. PREVIEW
Lions boss Jason Kreis says he's unsure over the status of midfielder Cristian Higuita for Wednesday's contest. READ MORE
Arena: Not the time for new faces
With the US national team set for an all-important pair of World Cup qualifiers in early October, manager Bruce Arena says he can't afford to have a look at any uncapped prospects right now. READ MORE
With those comments as a backdrop, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle offers up his thoughts on who Arena should call up for those World Cup qualifiers. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch:
FC Dallas teammates Kellyn Acosta and Matt hedges square off in FIFA 18 Skills Games
