Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Heineken Rivalry Week continues in New York
New York City FC will try to close out their first New York derby season sweep when they visit Red Bull Arena to kick off the weekend MLS card on Friday night (7 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN5). If the home side has other thoughts, they will need to contain David Villa, who 11 goals in his last 10 league games. PREVIEW | HRW SCHEDULE
ExtraTime Live from Red Bull Arena!
Watch ExtraTime Live on Friday at 5:30 PM ET. Ahead of the New York Derby, Andrew and David bring you on to the field and into the parking lot at Red Bull Arena. Tune in for interviews with players, coaches and fans ahead of a massive match as Heineken Rivalry Week rolls on. Set a reminder to watch
Cascadia cauldron lights up on Sunday
Portland will have a special double opportunity when they make the short trip to face arch-nemesis Seattle in Sunday's nationally-televised grudge match (9:30 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). Not only can the visitors wrest away the keys to the Western penthouse by snapping the Sounders' club-record 10-game unbeaten run, but also could move within a point of clinching their first Cascadia Cup crown since 2012. PREVIEW
Sounders supporters will soon be able to relive last year's astounding title run, as a book that commemorates the feat will be available for pre-order at a Friday event. READ MORE
401 Derby face off: Toronto visits Montreal
Two of the hottest teams in the league will do Heineken Rivalry Week battle on Sunday when Toronto FC visits Montreal (4:30 pm ET | ESPN, ESPN Deportes; TSN1/4, TVAS). Is it a trip-up game for the Reds? They've only managed one victory in their last seven overall games at Stade Saputo, and will be facing a home side that has won four straight by an 11-2 combined tally. PREVIEW
As Montreal's extension talks with Ignacio Piatti roll on, Ben Couch writes that MLS fans should watch the Impact star man – a top-five talent – work while they still can. READ MORE
Cali Clasico: Rivals clash in L.A.
Playoff chasers San Jose will aim to end a six-game StubHub win drought when they visit the LA Galaxy for a nationally-televised Cali Clasico on Sunday (7 pm ET | FS1, FOX Deportes; MLS LIVE in Canada). They may be catching their arch-rivals at the right time, as LA are in an 0-9-1 slump across all competitions that includes a 3-2 away loss to the Quakes in Open Cup play. PREVIEW
Having experienced the derby from both sides, Landon Donovan can assure everyone that there's plenty of animus to go around in this rivalry even though many of the players are new to the matchup. READ MORE
Can RSL retain Rocky Mountain Cup?
Real Salt Lake have the chance to both continue their playoff push and clinch a Rocky Mountain Cup repeat when arch rivals Colorado pop by for the 39th league derby between the two on Saturday (10 pm ET | MLS LIVE). On the other hand, the Rapids will have three goals: 1) Halt a seven-game winless slide, 2) Post their first road victory of the season & 3) Triumph at Rio Tinto for the first time since April 2007 (they've gone 0-10-4 since). PREVIEW
Rapids communications director Ryan Madden has announced that the club has mutually agreed to a contract termination with Juan Ramirez, effectively opening a DP slot. READ MORE
Sliding FC Dallas host Crew SC
Supporters' Shield holders FC Dallas – who will try to avoid slumping to their first six-game win drought since Summer 2015 – are on the road in Columbus for Saturday night's important duel with the aspirant Crew SC (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). PREVIEW
The Columbus Dispatch reports that new Crew SC winger Pedro Santos is settling quickly, both with his new team and in his new city. READ MORE
Slipping Chicago welcome the Loons
Hoping to avoid their first four-game losing skid in nearly two years, Chicago will host Minnesota United for the teams' first meeting on Saturday night (8:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The Fire will also try to get Nemanja Nikolic heated up again, as the striker has now gone seven games without a goal. PREVIEW
In the notes section at the bottom of this feature profile of new Fire defender Christian Dean, the Chicago Tribune provides the news that right back Matt Polster could make his return from injury this weekend. READ MORE
Atlanta makes first Philly trip
Philadelphia and guests Atlanta United will each be hoping to improve their postseason hopes in Saturday's clash (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). It will be the first meeting between the two clubs. PREVIEW
Julian Gressel has enjoyed a fine rookie season in Atlanta while playing several different roles, and now he's volunteering to fill-in as a defensive midfielder with Carlos Carmona suspended. READ MORE
Roller coaster 'Caps ride into Orlando
Orlando City will be looking to halt a six-game win drought in Saturday's home game against Vancouver (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE in the US; TSN in Canada). The Whitecaps, who have gone a middling 2-2-2 in their last half-dozen matches, won with a last gasp lone goal on their only previous trip to central Florida. PREVIEW
Lions skipper Kaka will return from suspension, energized by the unique experience of taking in their last game from "The Wall" at Orlando City Stadium. READ MORE
Revs visit warming D.C.
A suddenly revived D.C. United side will shoot for their first three-game win streak of the season when New England comes calling for a Saturday tilt (7 pm ET | MLS LIVE). The hosts will like their chances to throw another "W" on the pile as they've taken five straight home meetings with the Revs, who haven't won on the road all season. PREVIEW
Late summer catch Russell Canouse has made a quick difference in D.C. by providing the club with the strong defensive midfield play they've needed all season. READ MORE
HOU-SKC postponed due to Hurricane Harvey
Houston was also supposed to host Sporting Kansas City in a Western Conference clash, but the match has been postponed to October 11 at 8 p.m. ET. READ MORE
USMNT roster game
Bruce Arena is soon set to announce his USMNT squad for the next round of 2018 World Cup qualifiers, so as usual, we've put together a roster prediction. Even though the exercise was complicated by a spate of injuries in the backline and midfield stables, we foresee a lack of big surprises among the selection. READ MORE
There could, however, be a late alteration to the squad, as Borussia Monchengladbach winger Fabian Johnson returned to full training on Thursday and could be in uniform for his season debut when they travel to Augsburg on Saturday. READ MORE
MLSsoccer.com Must-Watch
The Movement visits an underrated soccer hotbed: Jackson, MS
