Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN
The Philadelphia Union host Sporting Kansas City in the US Open Cup final tonight (7 pm ET, ESPN2 & UDN). If you still need to get psyched up for the game, watch the Union’s impressive hype video and check out the backstory of the tournament’s first trophy.
2. CAN SPORTING KC BUILD A DYNASTY?
Tonight’s final offers Sporting KC the opportunity to win a third trophy in four years, something they feel can further establish them as a power in MLS. To that end, the club is expecting 800 traveling fans to be at PPL Park, but what role will impressive Hungarian forward Krisztian Nemeth play?
3. CAN THE UNION WIN THEIR FIRST TROPHY?
The game at PPL Park will be the 14th time a US Open Cup final has been held in Pennsylvania. While the Union hope to emulate the recent success of their opponents with their first trophy win, Union forward C.J. Sapong sees it as a chance to continue his redemption, this time against his former team
4. SOUNDERS HEALTHY AGAIN
The Seattle Sounders host the LA Galaxy in a huge Western Conference clash on Sunday and they are healthier than they've been in a while, including Clint Dempsey. They’ll also be sporting a slightly different kit for the encounter.
5. CRUNCH TIME FOR THE TIMBERS
It’s gut-check time for the Portland Timbers as they look to maintain their spot above the red line in the Western Conference. Captain Will Johnson’s fitness, however, remains a question.
6. DO THE 'CAPS HAVE A FINISHER?
The Vancouver Whitecaps are still in the hunt for the Supporters' Shield, just two points behind the leading LA Galaxy. But with production among their strikers drying up in recent weeks, does the club have a natural finisher and, even more importantly, can they succeed without one?
7. OLSEN CONSIDERS CHANGES FOR UNITED
As D.C. United look to end their six-match winless run in league play, head coach Ben Olsen is considering ringing the changes in an attempt to get the former Eastern Conference leaders back on track.
8. CAN KAKÁ PRODUCE AGAIN?
A win for Orlando City against the Montreal Impact on Saturday would be huge in their quest for a place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. With that in mind, they will need a big game from Brazilian superstar Kaká. After all, the Lions have only lost once in games in which the Brazilian icon has tallied either a goal or an assist.
9. SAURO PREPS FOR RETURN
Gaston Sauro received a clean bill of health just over two weeks ago, but the Columbus Crew SC summer signing has yet to return to the field. The team’s staff is busy getting the defender ready to take to the pitch again.
10. RED BULLS RECALL OUIMETTE
The New York Red Bulls have secured their playoff spot so far, but they’re still focused on winning the Eastern Conference or even the Supporters' Shield. To that end, the club recalled Karl Ouimette from his stint with the Red Bulls II. This Saturday's game vs. Crew SC will also offer an interesting moment when the Red Bulls will honor club legend and former head coach Mike Petke.
11. NYCFC MUST TRUST IN OTHERS
Despite their impressive recent run of results and change in form, New York City FC know their playoff hopes now lie more in the hands of others than they do in their own continued success.
12. HERNANDEZ CONTINUES TO GROW
After being a regular starter earlier in the year for FC Dallas, left back Moises Hernandez has dropped off the radar in the second half of the season. But according to head coach Oscar Pareja, it’s all just part of the growing process for the 23-year-old.
13. DROGBA NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Didier Drogba’s fine week in MLS has earned him his first MLS Player of the Week award following his two-goal performance against D.C. United.
14. JACK WARNER BANNED
With plenty of bad news floating around the halls of their Zurich headquarters this past week, FIFA took a stance on Tuesday by issuing a lifetime ban from all soccer activities to former CONCACAF President Jack Warner. That prompted this response from Warner.
15. NWSL'S BEST
The NWSL Championship will take place on Thursday night in Portland, contested between FC Kansas City and Seattle Reign FC. Those two teams boast six players combined on the NWSL's 2015 Best XI.
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