Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. USWNT TOO GOOD FOR AUSTRALIA
It was touch and go for a while, but the US women’s national team opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Australia, thanks to two goals from Megan Rapinoe and one from Christen Press. A rough first half had some in the States thinking the worse, while Australia clearly didn't think much of their opponents' performance.
2. DONE DEAL
Following recent reports suggesting the team could relocate to Virginia, D.C. United and the District of Columbia announced that they had finalized an agreement over the MLS side’s new stadium on Monday, which will keep the club in the nation’s capital.
3. WHAT’S THE WORD ON PIRLO?
Depending on what you read, Italian midfielder Andrea Pirlo is either close to signing with New York City FC, choosing them over Australian side Sydney FC, or looking to stay with defeated UEFA Champions League finalists Juventus.
4. VILLA LOOKING FOR REINFORCEMENTS
NYCFC grabbed an incredibly important win on Saturday. And the task now is to start getting some more, something Designated Player David Villa feels will be made easier by some new arrivals in the summer transfer window.
5. US U-20S FACE OFF WITH CAFETEROS
The US U-20s take on Colombia in the early hours of Wednesday morning (3:30 am ET, Fox Sports 1) in the U-20 World Cup round of 16 knockout stage. Can the US overcome their disappointing defeat to Ukraine and advance past the strong South American competition?
6. CLEARING THE AIR IN COLUMBUS
Following Columbus Crew SC’s latest loss, tensions bubbled to the surface in the form of a Facebook rant from Emanuel Pogatetz, who was unhappy about being left out of some recent games. However, speaking at Crew SC training on Monday, the Austrian defender said he and head coach Gregg Berhalter have since cleared the air.
7. ORLANDO CITY STARTING TO COME TOGETHER
With Orlando City now on a four-game unbeaten streak, the MLS expansion side is starting to show signs that they’re coming together as a team. This includes faith in more than just the starting XI, as head coach Adrian Heath is preparing his squad ahead of four games in 11 days.
8. DEMPSEY RETURNS
The Seattle Sounders may still be unhappy about the calls in Saturday’s game against Sporting Kansas City, but the team will at least be cheered by the return of Clint Dempsey. In other Sounders news, did the club attempt to sign this Dutch international?
- MANNEH MATURING
Kekuta Manneh has yet to become the consistent, reliable player that Vancouver Whitecaps fans hope he will be. But according to head coach Carl Robinson, his goal against the LA Galaxy on Saturday showed that the 20-year-old is heading in the right direction.
10. MORE INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES
Having played the full 90 minutes for the first time in two months, Robbie Keane now leaves the Galaxy to join up with the Republic of Ireland for a crucial European qualifier. He’s not the only one heading off on international duty, though, as Justin Meram has received another call-up for Iraq and David Accam is finally off to join Ghana.
11. ALTIDORE’S RACE AGAINST TIME
Jozy Altidore made a successful early return from his hamstring injury on Saturday, coming on as an 82nd-minute substitute and looking dangerous against D.C. United. Yet, with the Gold Cup just around the corner, the US international knows he’s in a race against time if he wants to make the squad for that tournament, especially with another young striker knocking at the door.
12. WHAT’S IN A NAME?
There’s not too long to go now until fans in Atlanta will learn the name and colors of their new MLS side. Ann Rodriguez, the expansion club's vice president of business operations, will have a big part to play in those decisions, and detailed what exactly goes into the process of deciding on the new team’s identity.
13. CHANGING THE RULES?
As more and more high-caliber players express their interest in joining MLS, not to mention the number of talented players already here, could the league be looking to alter its Designated Player rule?
14. CANADA WANTS TO JUMP THE QUEUE
On Monday it emerged that FIFA could indeed take the World Cup away from Russia and Qatar if they’re found to have won the hosting rights through illicit means. Logic dictates that these tournaments would then be awarded to one of the other competitors, but despite not being involved in either bid, Canada feels they should host one of the tournaments.
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5. FAMILY PHOTOS
What happened when Dom Dwyer, and Boss the dog, decided to crash Sydney Leroux’s recent photo shoot?
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Keep calm and tune in to Instant Replay, Week 14
ExtraTime Radio: Dynamo’s Bruin on twitter bots, Cubo and 100 MLS goals
Mike Magee on “absolutely incredible” return to action for the Chicago Fire
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