Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Dempsey retires
US soccer legend Clint Dempsey announced his retirement from the game on Wednesday morning after an illustrious 15-year playing career. The Seattle Sounders forward, known to many fans as Deuce, also starred for New England as well as Fulham and Tottenham in the English Premier League. He retires as the joint top scorer for the US national team with 57 international goals to his name and the only American man to have scored in three World Cups. READ MORE
Can rotating Red Bulls go top?
Kaku and the Red Bulls can take the Supporters' Shield lead on Wednesday night. | USA Today Images
The New York Red Bulls have a chance to move atop both the East and the Supporters’ Shield standings when the slumping Houston Dynamo come to town (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). In the midst of another fixture crunch, it seems likely that the hosts will test their depth against a Dynamo side that has never won a regular season game in the Big Apple. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Tense Eastern six-pointer in D.C.
Two teams getting hot at the right time will clash on Wednesday night, with D.C. United welcoming Philadelphia to Audi Field for the first time (8 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Though it's taken a while, Sam Stejskal examines how Alejandro Bedoya has proven a perfect fit for the Union. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Timbers host desperate champs
A game with important implications for both conferences will go down when Toronto FC pays a call on fellow playoff line chasers Portland (10:30 pm ET | TSN3/4 in Canada - full TV & streaming info). The MLS Cup holders are playing better overall of late, but local blog Waking the Red insists they must do something fast about leaky play at the back if they want to defend their crown into the postseason. READ MORE | PREVIEW
West leaders invade San Jose
FC Dallas will try to move clear of the chasing Western Conference pack when they visit last-place San Jose on Wednesday night (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). If the Texans wish to continue excelling toward MLS Cup, ProSoccerUSA thinks they'll need to see more impact from subs down the stretch. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Power Rankings: Philly hit rare air
In-form Philadelphia reached a new high water-mark for the season in our MLSsoccer.com Power Rankings, climbing two rungs to eighth. The biggest drop of the week belonged to Montreal, who fell three spots. READ MORE
Ciman says goodbye to LAFC
As expected, LAFC defender Laurent Ciman completed a move to Ligue 1 side Dijon. After the deal was announced, the Belgian wrote a heartfelt farewell thanking LAFC and their fans for their support. READ MORE
Basti scores in Bayern tribute
Chicago Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger enjoyed his big night back home on Tuesday, working a half for each side and scoring the final goal as host side Bayern Munich rolled to victory in a a testimonial match for their longtime star. Ahead of the event, Fire players reacted with genuine awe at their chance to take part in a "once in a lifetime" game.
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