Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Crew SC dismantle NYCFC in Columbus
Columbus took a large step toward the Eastern Conference final with a 4-1 triumph over 10-man visitors New York City FC on Tuesday night. The hosts broke the game open after Alexander Callens was ejected early in the second half. RECAP | HIGHLIGHTS
Amidst turmoil in Columbus, Sam Stejskal noted that the big Crew SC victory delivered a perfect tonic to the team's stressed-out fan base. READ MORE
Iron sharpens iron in the East
In the aftermath of the Columbus cruise, Charles Boehm writes that the beastly nature of East this season has helped all of the conference's contenders prime for the playoffs. READ MORE
2017 MLS awards finalists revealed
The list of final nominees for all of the 2017 MLS awards has been released. Atlanta United and Chicago are each up for five prizes, while Toronto FC got four nods. READ MORE
Report: Dinged-up Timbers lose Chara
The injury news isn't getting any better for title-chasers Portland. It seems that important midfield cog Diego Chara is likely done for the year after being diagnosed with a broken foot. The team is also sweating the availability of both Larrys Mabiala and Darlington Nagbe for Sunday's Conference Semifinal home leg against Houston. READ MORE
Fire's Paunovic up for Serbia post?
Serbia sacked manager Slavoljub Muslin on Monday, and apparently the nation's soccer scribes believe that Chicago boss Veljko Paunovic is being considered as his successor. The Fire chief led his native land to the Under-20 World Cup crown in 2015. READ MORE
Meanwhile, New England blog The Bent Musket has profiled the known candidates for the open Revs job. READ MORE
Giovinco, and the art of the restart
Where does Toronto FC marksman Sebastian Giovinco rank among the world's best free-kick snipers? A look at the numbers, courtesy of Charles Boehm, shows that the Atomic Ant has the highest goal total and second-best conversion rate since joining the Reds in 2015 when compared to restart demons of Europe's top leagues. READ MORE
Report: Atlanta chasing Argentine defender
Expansion darlings Atlanta United enjoyed such high dividends from dipping into Argentina to nab defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, it appears they're going back for another pick. Argentine outlet TyC Sports reports that the Five Stripes are in deep discussions over young Newell's Old Boys back liner Franco Escobar. READ MORE
The NASL's magnificent seven
With the offseason shopping season already getting started for some clubs, FourFourTwo has come up with a list of seven NASL players that could make the top-flight jump and to impact next season's campaign. READ MORE
Nocerino donates 100 Puerto Rico benefit tix
As Antonio Nocerino gets ready for Wednesday's benefit friendly against Puerto Rico, the Orlando City midfielder and his family took the time to buy and donate 100 tickets to the game as a contribution to the night's hurricane relief efforts. READ MORE
