Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
USMNT welcomes friendly foe Brazil
The US national team will kick off the new World Cycle with Friday night's tough friendly test against Brazil in East Rutherford, New Jersey (7:30 pm ET | FS1, UniMás, UDN). The squad will be without Sebastian Lletget, who has departed camp due to a nagging abdominal injury. READ MORE | WIEBE: WHO I'D START VS. BRAZIL | PREVIEW
Nations League opener for Canada
Canada will embark on their Concacaf Nations League qualifying road with Sunday's match against the US Virgin Islands in Bradenton, Florida (4 pm ET | oz.com). Our Daniel Squizzato writes that now is the time for manager John Herdman to begin shaping the future through youth. READ MORE | PREVIEW
The Rooney-Acosta show plays NYC
On Saturday afternoon, New York CIty FC will try to regain their footing against a visiting D.C. United outfit that hasn't won away since May and has dropped all three meetings at Yankee Stadium by a 10-3 combined count (4:55 pm ET | Univision, Twitter - full TV & streaming info). The Cityzens could get a surprise boost before the end of the season, as recovering midfielder Yangel Herrera says his ankle injury is healing faster than expected. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Can SKC, Timbers climb at home?
Sporting KC can jump into sole possesion of second place in the West with a victory over Saturday night guests Orlando City (8:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). Sam Stejskal dives into the other big SKC news of the week to find a club quite happy with the contract extensions handed out to four key cogs. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Meanwhile, Portland can leapfrog rivals Seattle to take fifth place when they host a Colorado side that has leaked multiple goals in nine of 12 road games this season (10:30 pm ET | TV & streaming info). With Jake Gleeson and now Jeff Attinella on the mend, the Timbers will turn to new netminder Steve Clark for Saturday's contest. READ MORE | PREVIEW
Webb, Agoos reflect on VAR year one
There's been plenty to reflect on after a year of Video Review. | USA Today Images
Now that we're most of the way through the first MLS season to feature the Video Review system, chief architects Jeff Howard Webb and Jeff Agoos have stepped back to review the system itself. And despite some hiccups, each is pleased with its impact on games. READ MORE
Caps add Dutch winger Emnes
Vancouver have received a dose of Dutch attacking guile with the free agent signing of winger Marvin Emnes. The 30-year old came up with hometown side Sparta Rotterdam before working 238 total matches in England for Blackburn, Middlesbrough and Swansea City. READ MORE
Elsewhere, D.C. United may also be looking to add to their squad for the stretch run. TheWashington Post has the Black-and-Red pondering a move to pick up erstwhile Chicago defender Kevin Ellis. READ MORE
Report: Euro powers browsing Bello
According to Italy's Calcio Mercato, a laundry list of big European clubs have their scouts keeping tabs on precocious Atlanta United left back George Bello. Fresh off his MLS debut, the 16-year-old is apparently being monitored by the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch:
