Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Slate opens Friday as 'Caps visit SKC
The Week 8 menu will kick off with Friday night's appetizer, as Vancouver pay a call on West leaders Sporting KC (9 pm ET | TSN – Full TV & streaming info). The Whitecaps, who arrive without key man Kei Kamara, have won two straight at Childen's Mercy Park and four in a row overall in this series. PREVIEW
Galaxy set for Five Stripes test
The LA Galaxy will chase revenge for last year's drubbing in Georgia when Atlanta United makes their first ever trip to StubHub Center on Saturday night (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Despite all the attention cast toward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sam Stesjkal still feels the real key to the Galaxy season lies in the tandem play of Perry Kitchen and Jonathan dos Santos. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Also Saturday, expansion darlings LAFC will make their first visit to Montreal (1 pm ET | TVAS – Full TV & streaming info). It looks quite likely that the Impact will be forced to cover for ailing defender Rod Fanni. INJURY REPORT | PREVIEW
Rivals throw down at RBNY, RSL
Dax McCarty (L) clashes with Tyler Adams during the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs Knockout Round | USA Today Sports Images
Old big city adversaries will reunite for a key conference clash when Chicago visit the New York Red Bulls on Saturday (3:30 pm ET | Univision – full TV & streaming info). The home side (who've cruised to three victories in three tries at Red Bull Arena this term) have celebrated six Bradley Wright-Phillips strikes during their seven-match series unbeaten run. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Meanwhile, the 14th edition of the Rocky Mountain Cup gets underway when Colorado visit Real Salt Lake on Saturday night (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info). RSL are on a sterling 11-0-4 home run in this rival series. PREVIEW
Sunday treats in Cascadia
Portland will be the next club to try to knock NYCFC off the summit when they fly in for a Sunday special at Providence Park (6 pm ET | FS1 – Full TV & streaming info). Interesting fact: the road team has swept all three meetings between these two thus far. PREVIEW
To the north, winless Seattle will open the gates on Sunday for Minnesota United (4 pm ET | ESPN – Full TV & streaming info). The Sounders took both of last year's meetings by a combined 6-1 tally (with three goals from Clint Dempsey, who just happens to be back from a ban for this one). PREVIEW
Union, TFC visit Texas
FC Dallas will wager the last unbeaten record in the West against Saturday guests Philadelphia (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The Union have never won a league game at Toyota Stadium, going 0-4-1 to date. PREVIEW
Over in Houston, the Dynamo will play Saturday host to what is sure to be a second-unit Toronto FC side (3 pm ET | CTV – Full TV & streaming info). While Wilmer Cabrera's boys are unbeaten in six at home to the Reds, the last five of those clashes ended in draws. PREVIEW
Big tilts in Columbus, Orlando
Columbus return to their friendly confines hoping to halt a three-game slide when New England comes to town on Saturday (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Referring to Revs boss Brad Friedel's claim that Diego Fagundez is the best No. 10 for a club currently not utilizing Lee Nguyen, Bobby Warshaw says he's got an argument that this is actually the case. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Orlando City will be shooting for a fourth straight win when they host San Jose for a Saturday tilt (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). These teams have drawn in each of their previous three meetings. PREVIEW
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
