Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Giovinco, Toronto edge out Tigres
Sebastian Giovinco and TFC proved too much for Tigres | Action Images / Reuters
Sebastian Giovinco played the hero for Toronto FC again, scoring a decisive free kick as the MLS champs ousted Concacaf Champions League foe Tigres on away goals despite a 3-2 loss in Mexico on Wednesday night. Andre-Pierre Gignac struck twice in the waning moments to pull the hosts level on aggregate at 4-4, but it was too little, too late. RECAP
Red Bulls stampede to CCL semis
The New York Red Bulls are onto the Champions League semifinals following completion of a 3-1 (5-1 aggregate) victory over second leg visitors Tijuana. After Xolos gave themselves early hope with an away goal, Tyler Adams, Marc Rzatkowski and Alejandro 'Kaku' Romero Gamarra scored to put the tie away. RECAP
What does it all mean?
Needless to say, the success of the Red Bulls and TFC provoked plenty of reaction in the North American soccer world on Tuesday night. MLSsoccer.com's Charles Boehm argues that the on-field gap between Liga MX and MLS is closing, in part thanks to the strong mentality US and Canadian teams are finally showing in Mexico. READ MORE
In the short-term, both the Red Bulls and Toronto FC now have some idea of who they'll face. RBNY's next CCL trip will take them to either Seattle or Guadalajara, while TFC can be fairly more certain of their next opponent – they will most likely face Club América, who hold a commanding 4-0 advantage on aggregate heading into the second leg of their series vs. Tauro. READ MORE
Seattle look to bounce Chivas
Seattle will try to make it three MLS sides in the Champions League final four when they visit Chivas for Wednesday night's tie decider (10 pm ET | UDN, UnivisionDeportes.com, go90.com for English audio). The Sounders, who last reached the semifinals in 2013, will carry a slim 1-0 aggregate lead south of the border. PREVIEW
Power Rankings: NYCFC stay top
NYCFC are rolling to start 2018 | USA Today Images
New York City FC stayed tops in our MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, while expansion outfit LAFC made the big jump of the week by soaring seven spots to fifth. On the flip side of the coin, Real Salt Lake fell seven rungs to 13th. READ MORE
Shalrie and the Spice Boys
A New England legend has landed a job in international management, as four-time MLS Best XI midfielder Shalrie Joseph signed a two-year deal to manage his home nation of Grenada, with his first major test coming in the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League this fall. READ MORE
Loons hovering around Quintero
In the aftermath of Kevin Molino's season-ending injury, Paul Tenorio says Minnesota United general manager Manny Lagos and head coach Adrian Heath are down in Panama to scout veteran Club América attacker Darwin Quintero. READ MORE
Quintero isn't the only Liga MX-based player Minnesota are reportedly chasing. The Athletic's Jeff Rueter reports that the team is also looking to sign Peruvian left back/left winger Alexi Gomez, who was most recently with Club Atlas. READ MORE
More transfer talk: De la Torre, Boli
According to West London Sport, New England could make a loan swoop for Fulham's US Under-20 attacker Luca de la Torre. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Sam Stejskal reports that Colorado are nearing a deal to add free agent Ivory Coast striker Yannick Boli. Last season, the 30-year-old led Chinese second flight champs Dalian Yifang with 16 goals. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
