Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. FIRE LOOK FOR FIRST WIN IN FIVE MLS GAMES
Despite their midweek US Open Cup success, the Chicago Fire visit the Houston Dynamo on Friday's Viernes De Futbol (9 pm ET, UDN in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) in search of their first win in five MLS games. Standing in their way is the Dynamo’s Luis Garrido, who is fueled by his recent snub from the Honduran national team.
2. SUPPORTERS' SHIELD CONTENDERS SQUARE OFF
On the third of their four-game road trip (or the fourth of five, if you include the US Open Cup) D.C. United will visit the depleted Seattle Sounders (11 pm ET, UDN in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), a match up that features the 1st- and 3rd-place sides in the Supporters' Shield standings. After a rough June, Seattle is looking for a fresh start in July.
3. TRAPP RETURNS FOR CREW SC AHEAD OF RED BULLS VISIT
Columbus Crew SC received a significant boost midweek with Will Trapp's return from a long concussion layoff. However, the New York Red Bulls, their opponents on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), suffered a big blow when Chris Duvall broke his leg in the midweek US Open Cup game. Despite that news, they won't be pursuing trialist Will Packwood.
4. A NEW CANADIAN CITIZEN FACES NEW YORK CITY
This Saturday, Wandrille Lefevre’s attention will focus on the Montreal Impact’s game against New York City FC (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE). But since he just earned his Canadian citizenship, could his future feature a call-up to the Canadian national team? NYCFC, meanwhile, seem to have a new trialist in their camp.
5. CAN BUNBURY REIGNITE THE REVOLUTION?
While there may not be any truth to those Abou Diaby rumors, FC Dallas will look to recover from their humbling US Open Cup defeat when they take on the New England Revolution on Saturday (9 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Revs, meawhile, are looking for a first league win in four games, with Teal Bunbury hoping to push his team back on track.
6. WHITECAPS FIND A BALANCE
What will the Colorado Rapids achieve in July? The team is winless in their last six league games and things won’t get any easier with Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps coming to town (Saturday, 9 pm ET, MLS LIVE in the US, TSN in Canada). With strong contributions across the field, particularly from June’s Etihad Airways Player of the Month, goalkeeper David Ousted, the Caps have found a good balance.
7. CLOSE-KNIT SALT LAKE READY FOR FREE-FLOWING ORLANDO CITY
Although it looks like Yura Movsisyan won’t re-join Real Salt Lake any time soon, there’s hope that a new togetherness among the team will help turn around their fortunes. That’ll be put to the test on Saturday, though, when they host Kaká and Orlando City (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE), who are translating fun on the training pitch to success on the field.
8. CAN THE GALAXY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A WEAKENED TORONTO FC?
Having earned their first road win since last August, the LA Galaxy hope they can pick up plenty more. However, this Saturday, the Galaxy are back home, welcoming Toronto FC (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), who are figuring out how to adjust to the many Gold Cup call-ups among their squad.
9. QUAKES IN HOT PURSUIT OF TIMBERS
While Chris Wondolowski may be gone for now, the San Jose Earthquakes still have plenty of optimism in their pursuit of a playoff spot, especially with Fatai Alashe fitting in so well. The Quakes travel to Providence Park on Sunday for a national TV game against the Portland Timbers (11 pm ET, ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). On Thursday, the kick-off time was pushed back following safety concerns due to the heat.
10. USWNT GOING FOR GLORY
The US women’s national team takes on Japan at BC Place in Vancouver on Sunday in the Women’s World Cup final (7 pm ET, Fox Sports). The game is a rematch of the 2011 World Cup finale, and with a large number of US supporters expected to fill the stadium, US veteran Abby Wambach expects a thrilling match.
11. USMNT GOING FOR GOLD
Meanwhile, the US men take on Guatemala in Nashville on Friday evening (6:30 pm ET, Fox Sports 1) in their final warm-up game before the start of the Gold Cup next week. Ahead of the upcoming tournament, Jurgen Klinsmann explained why he replaced Clint Dempsey as USMNT captain. He also made it clear that he expects results from this veteran US side.
12. GARZA ADDED TO ROSTER
Already part of the squad for the Guatemala friendly, Greg Garza was officially added to the USMNT’s Gold Cup roster, replacing the injured Brad Davis. Staying on the injury front, Klinsmann also revealed how close Jordan Morris was to making the squad.
13. WHAT HERRERA THINKS ABOUT DOS SANTOS’ REPORTED MOVE
Mexico’s preparations for the Gold Cup have taken a blow following confirmation that Chicharito is out for four weeks after undergoing surgery on his fractured collar bone. Meanwhile, as speculation continues over Giovani Dos Santos’ future, El Tri manager Miguel Herrera weighed in on a potential move to the LA Galaxy.
14. SPORTING’S NEWEST ADDITION?
Dom Dwyer may soon have a fellow Brit to keep him company after Sporting Kansas City have reportedly agreed to sign a 19-year-old forward from West Bromwich Albion. Here are some of the kid's skills from when he was 17.
15. THE BEAUTIFUL GAME IN NUNAVUT
The Canadian Arctic may not seem like the easiest place in the world to play soccer -- or even travel to -- but to the locals, the game forms an important part of life.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ET Radio podcast: USWNT book place in the WWC final | Rongen on youth development
The Savior & the Saved: A young phenom's journey
LA Groove? Chicago Rhythm? MLS team names that didn’t make the cut
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