Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
When will we see Zlatan?
Zlatan could debut vs. LAFC on Saturday | Jon Shard/LA Galaxy
Could Zlatan Ibrahimovic make his MLS debut this weekend? That's the question that's adding even more intrigue to the first meeting between the LA Galaxy and LAFC this Saturday (3 pm ET | FOX; MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada), and Galaxy head coach Sigi Schmid certainly didn't rule anything out, saying Zlatan could "quite possibly" play. READ MORE | STEJSKAL: HOW THE GALAXY LANDED IBRA
Playmaker Horta joins LAFC
Not about to be outdone by their rivals' big signing last week, LAFC announced the addition of Benfica midfield talent Andre Horta as their third Designated Player. Our Bobby Warshaw writes that the Horta swoop should help clear the way for more exciting young players to move across from or over to Europe's top leagues. READ MORE | WARSHAW: HORTA COUP CUTS A PATH
Wood PK edges Paraguay
Thanks to a Bobby Wood spot kick conversion on the stroke of halftime, the US national team scored a 1-0 friendly win over Cary, North Carolina guests Paraguay on Tuesday night. The collective midfield effort provided the basis for the victory, but it was Tyler Adams and Matt Miazga who earned the highest individual marks on our report card. RECAP | USMNT PLAYER RATINGS
Though Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle always came away satisfied with much of the team's performance on the night, he still wondered about the overall process as the team moves forward from last year's World Cup qualifying letdown. READ MORE
Crew SC, Timbers on the rise
In this week's MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, Columbus cozied up to fellow unbeatens NYCFC by claiming the second spot. The wild jumps and drops of the early rounds made way for more subtle movement following Week 4, with Portland the best risers (+3 rungs) and Minnesota United the biggest droppers (-3). READ MORE
BWP nets PotW
Bradley Wright-Phillips and the Red Bulls are rolling. | USA Today Images
After two clever strikes in their weekend win, New York Red Bulls goal monster Bradley Wright-Phillips was named MLS Player of the Week. With the veteran now up to 98 tallies in 157 total league contests (including the postseason), the ExtraTime Radio crew had to ask: Is he the best MLS scorer of all-time? READ MORE | LISTEN TO EXTRATIME RADIO
Vieira: Ring to return early
Though key midfield cog Alexander Ring was initially slated for a four-week layoff due to a knee setback suffered on Finland duty last week, New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira says the injury is not as bad as they thought and the player shouldn't be out quite so long as first feared. READ MORE
Martinez the homebody
While Atlanta United ace Josef Martinez is as deadly as they come on home turf, local blog Dirty South Soccer notes that he often comes up empty on the road. The striker has scored three times in nine career MLS away games, but all of them came in the same outing. READ MORE
Vako's moment of brilliance
A half-dozen USMNT participants and Paraguay's Miguel Almiron weren't the only MLS players in international friendly action on Tuesday night. Across the Atlantic, San Jose attacker Vako Qazaishvili scored a sublime stunner to seal Georgia's 2-0 home win over Estonia. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
