With the New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids kicking off tonight, don't forget to set your MLS Fantasy lineups by 7:30 pm ET! Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CAN THE IMPACT TAKE FINAL STEP INTO HISTORY?
It’s make-or-break time as the Montreal Impact host Club América in the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final (8 pm ET, Fox Sports 2 & UniMás in US, Sportsnet One & TVA Sports 2 in Canada). In front of more than 61,000 at Stade Olympique, the Impact still face a couple of major selection issues ahead of kick-off, but they’re certainly not paying any attention to América’s pre-game comments.
2. REFLECT ON THE JOURNEY
It’s been a strange road that brought the Montreal Impact, a last-place finisher in MLS one year ago, to the CONCACAF Champions League final. But now that they’re here, they want to take that final step and secure a place at the FIFA Club World Cup. And for the Impact's attacking star, Ignacio Piatti, it’s a second chance at securing the confederation title.
3. FROM BAR STOOL TO STARTER IN SEVEN DAYS
A week ago, Kristian Nicht sat alone in a bar in Indianapolis watching the first leg of the CCL final. Now he’s looking likely to start in the second leg and is confident he can help the Impact to victory. Yet, prior to Nicht’s transfer, did someone inquire about a certain Real Salt Lake goalkeeper?
4. CONCACAF TAKES ACTION
Dominic Oduro’s certainly ready for tonight’s big game, and the forward is also relieved to have seen CONCACAF do the “right thing” after the regional governing body took what they called unprecedented action to punish Costa Rican club Alajuelense for racism aimed at the Montreal Impact striker during the semifinals.
5. PRESSURE ON CLUB AMÉRICA
Of course, expectations will be high for Club América to continue Liga MX’s dominance over MLS in the CONCACAF Champions League. But while the whole of MLS will be cheering on the Montreal Impact this evening, Club América can’t count on the same support from the rest of Mexico.
6. RED BULLS, RAPIDS MEET IN MIDWEEK ACTION
In addition to the Champions League final, Wednesday also features a midweek MLS match in which the New York Red Bulls look to continue their unbeaten start to the season against the Colorado Rapids (7.30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). It’s a tough stretch of games for both teams, and Red Bulls head coach Jesse Marsch admits he is considering some changes to his starting lineup. Again, the Wednesday game means the MLS Fantasy roster deadline is 7:30 pm ET tonight.
7. UNITED BACK TO FULL STRENGTH
D.C. United’s injury woes already appear to be behind them, with practically the entire squad participating in training on Tuesday. There was also a new face in the group, as United are taking a look at a 21-year-old Peruvian trialist.
8. JAMIESON STEPS IT UP
So, just who is Bradford Jamieson IV? That’s the question many have been asking following his two most recent performances for the LA Galaxy, and it seems the young striker is building on a successful foundation laid with the US U-20 national team.
9. MALONEY’S SETTLED
Chicago Fire fans can get used to seeing Shaun Maloney’s face for a good long while. The Scotsman is said to have quickly settled into Chicago life and, while many of his fellow countrymen have returned home ahead of time, Maloney is already keen to stay for the duration of his contract.
10. BEST ON THE LEFT?
Who is the Seattle Sounders' starting left back? Dylan Remick or Leo Gonzalez? That’s a question only head coach Sigi Schmid knows the answer to and, for now at least, it seems he isn’t ready to announce a winner, insisting “right now I have two starting left fullbacks".
11. JONES KEEN TO STAY
With Jermaine Jones back in the lineup, the New England Revolution are really starting to click again, and it seems the 33-year-old US international is keen to help ensure the club’s success for some time to come: “You can see there is something we can build. I’ve said it always, I’m happy here.”
12. PREFERRED DESTINATION?
MLS Commissioner Don Garber recently reaffirmed his commitment to bringing a team to Miami and, while David Beckham and his investment group continue to examine multiple sites for a stadium in the city, some are suggesting that a location next to the Miami Marlins stadium is now the front-runner.
13. MOVING TO MANHATTAN?
While Miami continues their stadium search, there’s an existing team that’s also looking for a permanent home and the latest report has New York City FC considering building their new stadium at Columbia University’s Baker Athletics Complex.
14. NEW SPORTING KC JERSEY
It's only been a few hours that it's been released, but Sporting Kansas City's new white and metallic silver third kit is earning some rave reviews. They'll debut it on Sunday during their nationally televised home match against the Chicago Fire (5 pm ET, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes).
15. SUMMER ICC SCHEDULE SET
The International Champions Cup has released the schedule for games this summer, including where you’ll be able to see some of the world’s most storied sides taking on three MLS teams. Of course, the tournament has actually already started, with the MLS teams' results against each other in league play counting toward the ICC standings.
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