Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
2026 World Cup coming to North America
North American soccer fans woke up with reason to celebrate, following FIFA's decision to award the 2026 World Cup hosting rights to the United Bid featuring the United States, Canada and Mexico. READ MORE
Make your picks!
The 2018 World Cup gets underway tomorrow, and that means Wednesday is the last day to sign up for the 2018 Ultimate Cup Bracket, where you can make your picks for the tournament in Russia, compete against your friends and win prizes. READ MORE
Five Stripes set to invade MAPFRE
Wednesday's top tilt will see Supporters' Shield pace-setters Atlanta United square off against an Eastern challenger on their visit to Columbus (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Gregg Berhalter's team, who suffered a regular season sweep last year, will gamble a nine-match unbeaten run. PREVIEW
Elsewhere, the New York Red Bulls will try to pull out of a three-game win drought against Wednesday visitors Seattle (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The hosts have been bit by the injury bug, with midfielder Vincent Bezecourt slated to miss 6-8 weeks due to an MCL sprain. READ MORE | PREVIEW
TFC, Montreal host Eastern duels
Are Toronto FC (2-1-1 in their last four) finally getting their traction back? We will find out when they host D.C. United for a midweek duel at BMO Field (8 pm ET | TSN — Full TV & streaming info). The Black-and-Red have often proven to be rude guests over the years, and are 2-2-1 in their last five trips to the 416. PREVIEW
Also Wednesday, Montreal will attempt to start their first home win streak since last August when Orlando City visits (7:30 pm ET | TVAS — Full TV & streaming info). The Lions have dropped five straight in league play, suffering three-goal blowouts the last two times out. PREVIEW
Quakes, Rapids, hungry for home cookin'
San Jose will strive to halt a four-game string of league defeats when New England drops by for a Wednesday night affair at Avaya (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). While San Jose have traditionally fared well in this home fixture, the Revs arrive this time on a 3-0-2 overall series run. PREVIEW
Colorado returns home looking to get well from a midweek matchup with the visiting Chicago Fire (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The Rapids, who enter weighed down by an eight-game losing slide, are unbeaten in the last five Dick's Sporting Goods Park meetings between these two sides. PREVIEW
Power moves
The top 10 stayed exactly the same in this week's MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings. Seattle and Vancouver made the biggest climbs of the week, rising three rungs each. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Whitecaps wiz kid Alphonso Davies was unsurprisingly named MLS Player of the Week following a show-stopping one goal, three assist outing in their weekend win over Orlando City. READ MORE
Villa approves of new boss
Though the New York City FC squad was shaken up Patrick Vieira's Monday move to Nice, star man David Villa has now given his stamp of approval to the man chosen to take over as head coach, Domenec Torrent. The striker, who worked under Torrent at Barcelona, says he's the "best person" to succeed the departed Frenchman. READ MORE
MLS Homegrowns to face Tigres
It has been revealed that this year's MLS Homegrown Game opponent will be Mexican Under-20 champs Tigres. The teams will meet in Marietta, Georgia on July 31 as part of Atlanta's All-Star Weekend festivities. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
The Movement explores how El Tri is woven into the fabric of American soccer
