Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Open Cup final four set for battle
Alejandro Bedoya (L) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) are aiming to lead their teams back to the Open Cup final. | USA Today Images
Philadelphia will be shooting for their third Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title match in five years when one of their favorite guests, four-time tournament champs Chicago, come calling for Wednesday night's first semifinal (7 pm ET | ussoccer.com). The Union are on a 4-0-1 run at home in the head-to-head series, which has seen them bag 14 goals in that time. PREVIEW
The other match-up will produce a first-time finalist, with the run of Open Cup debutants LAFC taking them to Houston for Wednesday's late semifinal (8:30 pm ET | ussoccer.com). These sides have already met once at BBVA Compass Stadium this year, as the Dynamo rallied for a 2-2 draw with a pair of stoppage time strikes on July 3. PREVIEW
Can. Champ final kicks off in VanCity
Vancouver will play host to Canadian Championship holders Toronto FC in the 2018 final opener on Wednesday night (10 pm ET | TSN). This will be the fifth tourney tie between the two since 2011, with the Whitecaps holding a 2-0-2 record in home legs. PREVIEW
Countdown to the deadline
The MLS Secondary Transfer Window closes at 11:59 pm CT on Wednesday night (12:59 am ET Thursday), after which teams will no longer be able to complete signings or trades for this season (though out-of-contract players can still be added through the Roster Freeze Date on Sept. 14). You can keep track of all the latest moves over at MLSsoccer.com's Transfer Tracker. READ MORE
RSL surge in Power Rankings
Real Salt Lake achieved the biggest climb in this week's MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, rising three rungs to 13th. Conversely, Chicago and Houston experienced the worst falls, dropping four spots each. READ MORE
Report: Blackburn's Trapp bid rejected
According to both Columbus Dispatch reporter Andrew Erickson and Sky Sports, Columbus have knocked back Blackburn's offer for skipper Wil Trapp. The Championship outfit reportedly bid $1.25 million for the midfielder over the weekend. READ MORE
Speaking of clubs issuing "hands off" warnings over defensive midfielders, Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Union have no interest in dealing youngster Derrick Jones to interested party Minnesota United. The 21-year-old made his first MLS start in over a year in Saturday's loss at Portland. READ MORE
Boehm: Minnesota United's big ask
Writing about Minnesota United's recent trade of hero Christian Ramirez to LAFC, Charles Boehm asserts that club management are asking for a huge leap of faith from their supporters. The forward, affectionately known as Superman in the Twin Cities, was the face of a franchise that hasn't always hit the mark with their squad maneuvers. READ MORE
More transfer talk: Vytas, Sagna, Perez
D.C. United have apparently made a move to address their left back issues by swinging a trade to land Vytas Andriuskevicius from Portland. Meanwhile, the Timbers are reportedly busy bringing forward Lucas Melano back from a long loan stint in Argentina. READ MORE
Meanwhile, Atlanta United are reportedly sizing up out-of-contract veteran Bacary Sagna. The former Arsenal and Manchester City ace could offer temp help to the East leaders, who have three wide backs recovering from long term injuries. READ MORE
Also, American Soccer Now scribe Brian Sciaretta says LAFC could scoop up a local product, young Fiorentina winger Josh Perez. The US youth international, whose uncle is USMNT legend Hugo Perez, spent last season on loan with Serie C side Livorno. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
