Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
D.C. to debut Rooney, new digs
The doubly big day has arrived for D.C. United, who will have new star Wayne Rooney in uniform to christen Audi Field in Saturday's game against Vancouver (8 pm ET | TSN – Full TV & streaming info). To celebrate the occasion, we've turned our "10 Things" spotlight on the Black-and-Red's new stadium. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Homegrown Player Game roster unveiled
The MLS roster for the 2018 Homegrown Player Game against Tigres Under-20 side was released on Thursday. The Philadelphia Union placed a league-high four players on the squad. READ MORE
Dueling Big Apple matches on tap
The New York Red Bulls will open the gates for a Saturday visit from Sporting KC, who are 4-2-1 on their last seven trips to Harrison (7 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The visitors received some bad news on Thursday, with forward Khiry Shelton ruled out for 2-3 months with a knee injury. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Meanwhile in the Bronx, New York City FC will try to tentatively move level at the top of the East with Columbus in town for a Saturday evening clash (7 pm ET | TV & streaming info). After a rough start to this series, NYCFC have gone 3-1-1 in the last five meetings. PREVIEW
Sunday treats at Atlanta, LAFC
Supporters' Shield leaders Atlanta United will take aim at visiting Seattle in Sunday's nationally-televised game (2 pm ET | FOX, TSN – Full TV & streaming info). The only prior league meeting between the two ended in a scoreless draw at CenturyLink Field. PREVIEW
Also Sunday, the two hottest teams in the West will clash when LAFC hosts Portland at Banc of California Stadium for the first time (6 pm ET | ESPN, TSN – Full TV & streaming info). Bob Bradley's bunch have waved goodbye to right back Omar Gaber, who transferred to homeland side Pyramids FC for family reasons on Thursday. READ MORE | PREVIEW
East meets West in New England, Texas
New England will gamble their seven-game unbeaten run in Saturday's home game against the LA Galaxy, who will arrive without a defeat in five (7:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). This has traditionally been a rough fixture for the Galaxy, who have won but twice in their previous 15 regular-season visits. PREVIEW
FC Dallas and Saturday visitors Chicago are set to renew their Brimstone Cup rivalry (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The Fire, who have won five of the last six games between the two, added a new center back with Thursday's signing of 24-year-old Argentine Nicolas Del Grecco. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Feeling like a "must-win" in Orlando
A pair of preseason East favorites that have fallen on very hard times recently will lock horns when slumping MLS Cup holders Toronto FC visit an Orlando City side eager to end their nine-game losing streak (8 pm ET | TSN – Full TV & streaming info). New Lions boss James O'Connor says he isn't worried about the struggles of their weekend visitors, while young attacker Chris Mueller has applied the "must-win" tag to this match. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Elsewhere, TFC rivals Montreal return home licking their chops for Saturday's game against Western cellar dwellers San Jose (7:30 pm ET | TVAS – Full TV & streaming info). Not only will the Quakes enter play winless in nine, but they have also lost by two goals on all three of their previous league trips to Stade Saputo. PREVIEW
Rapids, Loons host Western duels
Colorado will welcome one of their favorite guests of the decade when Houston drops by for a Saturday night tilt (9 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The Rapids are 6-0-2 with six shutouts in their last eight home games of this series. PREVIEW
Strugglers Minnesota United will be hoping for proper medicine when they return home to tackle Real Salt Lake, who just so happen to be one of the league's worst road teams (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). The defense-starved Loons have added a pair of attackers this week, leaving Bobby Warshaw to wonder how the defensive plan could shape up at TCF Bank Stadium. READ MORE | PREVIEW
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