Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
All-Star voting ends Wednesday
Time is running out to get your MLS All-Star team ballots in! With Atlanta United dominating thus far, the voting will close near midnight Pacific Time. VOTE NOW
Open Cup bouts at Atlanta, LAFC
The final four Lamar Hunt US Open Cup quarterfinal berths will be won on Wednesday, with Atlanta United hosting Chicago in the headlining match-up (7:30 pm ET | ussoccer.com). The Five Stripes have taken two of the three previous meetings between the two, enjoying a 4-0 rout the only other time they played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. PREVIEW
Bob Bradley's LAFC side will play their first ever round-of-16 game against the visiting Sacramento Republic (10:30 pm ET | ussoccer.com). The expansion side have yet to lose a home game in any competition, going 3-0-3. PREVIEW
Quarterfinal place up for grabs in D.C.
D.C. United will try to end a three-year string of round-of-16 exits when they "welcome" Open Cup visitors Orlando City, playing for the first time in the post-Jason Kreis era, on Wednesday night (7 pm ET | ussoccer.com). PREVIEW
A pair of USL sides will clash on Wednesday, with Louisville City and guests Nashville SC each aiming for a first ever quarterfinal place (7 pm ET | ussoccer.com). The The team have evenly split their league meetings, with both posting a 2-0 win at home. PREVIEW
Lions eye timely hire
In an interview with ProSoccerUSA, Lions CEO Alex Leitao says they'll waste no time finding a new head coach after the team parted ways with Kreis on Friday. Among the names being considered, according to ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman in a Tuesday report, are former Brazil national team coaches Dunga and Luiz Felipe Scolari, as well as recently-departed Portland boss Caleb Porter and current Iran national team and ex-MetroStars manager Carlos Queiroz. READ MORE
Geiger takes charge
Geiger in action on Wednesday. | USA Today Images
Two-time MLS Referee of the Year Mark Geiger took charge of the first game in his second World Cup on Wednesday, ably managing Portugal's narrow 1-0 win over Morocco. Geiger's road to Russia has been as long as many of the players he's refereeing, as detailed by MLSsoccer.com's Charles Boehm. READ MORE
No Power Rankings shake-ups
The shake-ups were minor in this week's MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings. Orlando City were the only team to move as many as two rungs in either direction. READ MORE
Columbus' No. 9 factory
The resurgence of Gyasi Zardes this season is shining a light on the consistently happy home created for strikers by Columbus boss Gregg Berhalter. Sam Stejskal examined how he does it. READ MORE
Injury report: Toronto FC, Portland
Out since April, Toronto FC center back Drew Moor has resumed light training. The Reds are also hoping to have Jozy Altidore and Chris Mavinga back with the group in the coming weeks. READ MORE
Over in Portland, the Timbers are getting close to a healthy defense. Julio Cascante and Liam Ridgewell have been passed fit for their weekend league tilt with Atlanta, and Roy Miller looks to be nearing a surprise early return after rupturing his Achilles in November. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
