Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. RIMANDO DOES HIS THING
“Save it” was the thought running through Nick Rimando’s head when the LA Galaxy were awarded a late penalty, and that’s just what he did to help preserve a 0-0 scoreline (HIGHLIGHTS) late Wednesday night. Yet while the Galaxy had the opportunity to win the game, they were seemingly happy to leave Utah with a point.
2. ONLY HALFTIME
A quick formation change was all it took to bring the Montreal Impact to life and secure a 1-0 win over Canadian rivals Toronto FC in the first leg of their Amway Canadian Championship semifinal. While losing to your rivals is never easy, TFC coach Greg Vanney knows “this is a 180-minute game.” In between legs, of course, Toronto will open the renovated BMO Field on Sunday (5pm ET; ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in US, TSN, RDS2 in Canada) when they host the Houston Dynamo.
3. SNOW DAY
The Vancouver Whitecaps’ Amway Canadian Championship game against FC Edmonton last night was cancelled and rearranged for two weeks' time due to snow. How bad was it? See for yourself:
4. RED BULLS ARE READY
Jesse Marsch is certainly ready for the high-octane meeting between the two New York rivals on Sunday (7pm ET; FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes in the US, TSN2 in Canada), and the Red Bulls head coach could be set to welcome back Ronald Zubar to his starting lineup. Meanwhile another Red Bulls defender, Matt Miazga, has made his focus clear.
5. CROSSING THE RIVER
As the first meeting between the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC draws closer, this new derby needs a name. But what does the game mean for both clubs? It means enough that NYCFC have already opened up seating in the second tier of Yankee Stadium for the second meeting between the two clubs, which is not until June 28.
6. MBOLHI'S BACK … IN THE LINEUP?
Some might call this fate, as not only has Raïs Mbolhi returned to the Philadelphia Union after a month away, but it seems he’s also become the club's default starter again following the news that both Andre Blake and John McCarthy were injured in the same Tuesday training session that saw Mbolhi return. Bizarre? It's just part of Philadelphia's continuing goalkeeper saga.
7. RAPIDS DP ARRIVING EARLY
It looks like the Colorado Rapids are direct beneficiaries of Wolverhampton Wanderers' failed promotion bid, because with the English side failing to secure a spot in the playoffs, the two clubs have successfully negotiated an early move for striker Kevin Doyle, who will now join Colorado by the end of May rather than in July.
8. PACKWOOD HEADING HOME?
Having successfully secured the early termination of his contract with English Championship side Birmingham City, it seems that Will Packwood is heading home, with the US defender and Massachusetts native set to go on trial with the New England Revolution next week.
9. GALAXY ADDING MIDFIELD OPTIONS?
Packwood isn’t the only Yank who looks to be heading back stateside, though, as the LA Galaxy are reportedly close to signing West Ham United midfielder Sebastian Lletget.
10. LIKE TWO NEW SIGNINGS
The Chicago Fire’s attack came up short in their 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City last Sunday, and while they had won three games in a row prior to that, head coach Frank Yallop can’t wait to have long-term absentees Mike Magee and Patrick Nyarko available again. The only question is: Where will they fit in?
11. EVERYTHING BUT THE GOAL
The goals have come from all over the field for Columbus Crew SC this season, but despite impressing his coaches with his work rate and playing style, one thing Icelandic midfielder Kristinn Steindorsson has yet to do is find the back of the net.
12. STADIUM MOVING FORWARD
There hasn’t been much news concerning D.C. United’s Buzzard Point stadium recently. Rest assured United fans, the club and the city are actively moving forward with their plans. Also, could there be some good news for New England Revolution fans concerning their own stadium quest?
13. IT’S A FINE DAY
The Week 9 Disciplinary Committee decisions are in, and Jermaine Jones and Anatole Abang were both fined for incidents in the game between the New England Revolution and New York Red Bulls.
14. WHO’LL MAKE THE SQUAD?
Tab Ramos is set to announce his US U-20 World Cup squad today. Which promising young MLS stars will be making the plane to New Zealand? Here’s one set of predictions.
15. ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED
A bicycle kick goal, scored from a bicycle kick assist. Impossible, right? Not when you’re in high school.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
Are Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins the best duo in MLS? | MLS Now
Nick Besler finds his own way | The Prospect: Episode 3
MVP Ladder: Which Sounders star sits at No.1 this month?
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