Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Congratulations to the 2018 Hall of Famers!
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and NE Revs coach Brad Friedel were among the 2018 inductees. | MLSsoccer.com
Thursday, the National Soccer Hall of Fame unveiled its 2018 induction class, ahead of this year’s Hall of Fame Weekend at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, set for October 20. The celebration will also include the 2018 Hall of Fame game – an MLS match featuring FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City – an NASL Legends game to mark that league's 50th anniversary, and a concert headlined by Imagine Dragons. READ MORE
USMNT pay Ireland call on Saturday
The US national team will hope to build on Monday's win over Bolivia when their early summer friendly tour heads to Dublin for Saturday's game with the Republic of Ireland (3 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMás, UDN). The Nats have gone 0-5-0 with 16 goals allowed on their previous friendly visits to the Irish capital city. PREVIEW
'Caps, RSL tussle kicks off MLS weekend slate
The weekend MLS slate kicks off on Friday as a desperate Colorado side hosts Vancouver (9pm ET | TSN – full TV & streaming info). Though the Rapids enter having lost six straight, they hold a lifetime 7-1-2 home record against their Friday visitors. PREVIEW
Home tests for Atlanta, Columbus
East leaders Atlanta United will be eager to snap a two-game home slide when warming Philadelphia drop by for a Saturday duel (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). They'll be expecting more help from Josef Martinez, who has gone scoreless in the last four games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium after hitting 15 times in his first 11 matches there. PREVIEW
Kicking off at the same time on Saturday night, Columbus will take their shot at first place against visiting champs Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET | TSN – TV & streaming info). Gregg Berhalter's boys, who can clinch their first Trillium Cup sweep since 2012 with a win, have only managed to win one of the last five series meetings at MAPFRE Stadium. PREVIEW
Can Timbers roll lucky seven?
MLS Commissioner Don Garber and NE Revs coach Brad Friedel were among the 2018 inductees. | MLSsoccer.com
Portland will ride a six-game win streak into Saturday's home clash with the LA Galaxy (5 pm ET | ESPN2, TSN – full TV & streaming info). The Timbers have gotten three big goals in the last two games from forward Samuel Armenteros, who is now settling after taking an unusual path to arrive in Portland during the preseason. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Elsewhere, FC Dallas can tentatively grab the Western summit with a win in Saturday's home game against LAFC (8pm ET | TV & streaming info). FCD are on a 13-game home unbeaten run in league play, but have already settled for four draws at Toyota Stadium this season. PREVIEW
Red Bulls, Lions make tough trips
The New York Red Bulls will wager their five-game unbeaten streak with Saturday's important visit to Eastern rivals New England (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). After a hot start, the Revs have been in a bit of a skid, going 1-2-2 in their last five. PREVIEW
Meanwhile, New York City FC will play host to a bugaboo side when Orlando City invade on Saturday evening (7:30 pm | TV & streaming info). Even with last season's loss at Yankee Stadium, the Lions are 2-1-1 in their last four trips there. PREVIEW
SKC, RSL host Western rivals
In Sunday's lone contest, Sporting KC will try to secure their stay in the West penthouse when Minnesota United FC come to town (8:30 pm ET – FS1, TSN – Full TV & streaming info). The home squad have clean sheets in three straight at Children's Mercy Park, where they are 4-0-2 this season. PREVIEW
Seattle will be out for levels of revenge in Saturday's fast reunion match at Real Salt Lake (9:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Not only did RSL take three points away from CenturyLink Field last weekend, but they have also won six straight league tilts between the two at Rio Tinto. PREVIEW
Dynamo, Quakes on least favorite road trips
Houston will aim to keep hold of a playoff slot when they make Saturday's visit to Montreal (7:30 pm | TVAS – Full TV & streaming info). Stade Saputo has been a house of horrors for the Dynamo, who have dropped all five of their prior games there by a combined 15-2 count. PREVIEW
And a pair of teams chasing the playoff zone will try to recover from losses when Chicago and guests San Jose meet up on Saturday (8:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The Earthquakes have won just once in their 13 trips to the Windy City. PREVIEW
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
