Here are the Top 15 soccer stories we’re following today.
1. DIEGO FORLÁN TO TORONTO FC?
This one seems almost done and dusted … according to reports from The Globe and Mail. Apparently newlywed superstar Diego Forlán is heading to Toronto FC, as the 34-year-old Uruguayan striker is finalizing a move from Brazilian side Internacional. Can his goals and star status help push TFC towards the playoffs? Word is he could be unveiled as a Red early this week. Bienvenido, Diego?
2. 10 ALL-STARS SELECTED, FIND OUT WHO
Forlán would almost certainly be an All-Star given a full season to make his case. But what about the 2013 MLS All-Stars? The showpiece game against AS Roma on July 31 is fast approaching, so who will be lining up at Sporting Park? You, the fans, have spoken and 10 players have already been selected. Some hometown guys got the nod…
3. WHITECAPS FINALLY PREVAIL
Is there such a thing as seventh-time lucky? Regardless, the Vancouver Whitecaps have their first MLS win against Cascadia rivals Seattle in seven attempts after a 2-0 win on Saturday. 'Caps fans were delighted – watch these jubilant scenes after the final whistle at BC Place saw Vancouver soar to the top of the Cascadia Cup standings. And here is some bonus footage of the Southsiders celebrating. Majestic.
4. LA GET “COMPLETE PERFORMANCE” AGAINST DALLAS
The LA Galaxy continued their surge up the Western conference standings on Sunday night, as they beat FC Dallas 2-0 at the StubHub Center. Bruce Arena was happy with the outing, as LA made it two wins on the spin. “It was close. Not quite there, but tonight was one of our better games on the year,” Arena said. “I thought we played very well.”
5. COLUMBUS END PORTLAND’S UNBEATEN STREAK
The Columbus Crew put an end to the Timbers’ 15-game unbeaten streak, as Bernardo Añor struck early to win 1-0 in a feisty game in Ohio that saw Pa Modou Kah sent off after 11 minutes. But head coach Caleb Porter put a positive spin on things: “We got better today, even though we lost. You can get better through losses just as much as you get better through positive results.”
6. SPORTING STOP CHICAGO’S REVIVAL
Mike Magee scored again, eight goals in nine games now, but two quick-fire goals from Sporting KC proved enough to take all three points at Toyota Park. Benny Feilhaber smashed in the opener, before Graham Zusi doubled the lead with a curled effort that was meant as a cross. SKC back in their groove?
7. SHUTOUT WINS FOR REVS, DYNAMO
Both New England and Houston needed confidence-boosting wins … and that’s exactly what they got. The Revs defeated San Jose 2-0 on Saturday with Saer Sene scoring a screamer, while Ricardo Clark scored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Philadlephia to end Houston’s seven-game winless streak.
8. CANADA LOSE LATE, PANAMA STUN MEXICO
Gold Cup. Late drama. Upsets. This month could be very special after the opening games of the 2013 Gold Cup gave us some sensational storylines. First Canada lost 1-0 to minnows Martinique on the last kick of the game, a strike worthy of winning any contest in the world. Take a bow, Fabrice Reupeme. Later in the night, Panama recorded their first-ever win over Mexico, 2-1, to leave Group A on its head as El Tri’s slump continues.
9. HOLDEN HAPPY
The US have to wait until Tuesday to kick off their Gold Cup campaign against Belize up in Portland (11 pm ET, Fox Soccer, live chat on MLSsoccer.com), but Stuart Holden is delighted after his performance in the USA’s 6-0 demolition of Guatemala on Friday night. Today, Gold Cup action continues from Red Bull Arena, with El Salvador taking on Trinidad & Tobago (6:30 pm ET) and Haiti playing Honduras (9 pm ET). You can watch both games live on Fox Soccer.
10. WYNALDA ON ATLANTA’S NASL TITLE
In case you missed out on the incredible finale of the NASL spring season on Independence Day, US national team legend Eric Wynalda talks you through it with MLS Reserves. His Atlanta Silverbacks side dramatically won the title, snatching it away from the Carolina RailHawks.
11. ALTIDORE TO SUNDERLAND ALMOST COMPLETE
It seems as if Jozy Altidore’s move to Sunderland will finally be completed later today. The USMNT forward is expected to head out to the Black Cats’ Italian training camp to join his new team. Some believe Jozy will shine at the Stadium of Light, others aren’t so positive. What do you think?
12. GUZAN SIGNS NEW DEAL
With one USMNT star set to seal his move to the EPL, another has extended his stay. Brad Guzan signed a new four-year contract with Aston Villa, as the US 'keeper shined during his first season as a starter in England’s top flight. Can Guzan push Tim Howard all the way for the USA’s No.1 jersey?
13. HOW CAN GUARDIOLA MAKE BAYERN BETTER?
The impossible task of improving the team that won every single trophy they competed for last season lies at the hands of Pep Guardiola. But the former Barcelona boss isn’t daunted by the task at Bayern Munich – quite the opposite. The New York Times dissects just what Pep has to do to succeed at Munich. Apparently, not much.
14. US YOUNGSTER ARRIOLA SCORES ON XOLOS DEBUT
Club Tijuana may have a new US national team star in the making, as American starlet Paul Arriola followed in the footsteps of countrymen Edgar Castillo, Herculez Gomez and Joe Corona by playing for the Xolos. And the Under-18 national team winger scored on his debut, too.
15. DRAMATIC GHANA MAKE U-20 SEMIS
The Ghanaian Under-20 squad scoring four times sadly isn’t a new sight for US soccer fans. But some solace to US supporters may come from the fact that Ghana scored four against Chile – watch the goals here during their dramatic extra-time turnaround – to make the U-20 World Cup semifinals. So two of the US' Group A opponents, Ghana and France, will face off for a place in the final. It really was the Group of Death.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
MLS Insider: Nigel Reo-Coker discovers the passion of the Cascadia Cup
Mike Magee questions Chicago's desire after defeat to Sporting KC: "It makes me sick."
Armchair Analyst: Three things we learned from staying classy in San Diego
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