Kick Off: Could the 2014 LA Galaxy become the greatest MLS team ever? Is Vegas ready for soccer?

News  |  Videos  |  Schedule & Stats  |  Clubs  |  Fantasy  |  Shop Forward To A Friend Kick Off: Could the 2014 LA Galaxy become the greatest MLS team ever? Is Vegas ready for soccer? Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning, plus don’t forget to vote for September's Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month: 1. THE GREATEST EVER? Following their impressive demolition of the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, the 2014 LA Galaxy could be making a claim to be one of the greatest teams in league history if they can beat out the Seattle Sounders for the Supporters' Shield. But they wouldn't be the greatest ever, according to their head coach Bruce Arena. That honor belongs to another of his teams. 2. MAKING CALLS Toronto FC may still have a game in hand over most Eastern Conference rivals, but it projects to be a tight race down to the wire if they're going to snag their first playoff appearance in club history. With that in mind, the club have already been making inquiries about potential international absences. 3. CLASH OF THE TITANS With Joao Plata called into the Ecuador squad, Real Salt Lake are another team whose October could be interrupted by international matches. On Tuesday, the MLS side will take the field for a friendly against Sacramento Republic FC, recently crowned USL PRO champions. 4. REPLACING THE IRREPLACEABLE There’s been no shortage of support for Will Johnson since his terrible injury on Saturday, and while Ben Zemanski talks about filling in for the fiery competitor, Portland Timbers head coach Caleb Porter has no plans to appoint a new team captain for the remaining four games. 5. LOWER LEAGUE, TOP TALENT In the midst of an impressive season with Minnesota United in the NASL, could Miguel Ibarra become the first player in nine years to earn a national team callup while playing in the US second division? It looks that way but, much like Clyde Simms back in 2005, Ibarra might not be in the second division for much longer. 6. WHAT’S YOUR NUMBER? Periodically the MLS Players Union publishes a list of base salaries and guaranteed compensation of players around the league. On Monday that list was updated as of the roster freeze deadline of September 15. You can pore through the MLSPU's numbers here. 7. MORE CANDIDATES FOR MVP The stars leading the way in the salary department, the Designated Players, had a big weekend in Week 29. DPs led the way for almost every victorious team, especially in the case of two US internationals who are particularly important to their respective teams' postseason hopes. 8. A STADIUM BY NUMBERS It's been a landmark year for DC United. Not only are they riding high again in the Eastern Conference, but they're also working on getting a new stadium built. As part of their latest push to explain the project, the club have released information about how fans would get there and what else the new venue would be used for. 9. APPRECIATING ARNAUD There are a lot of reasons to explain D.C. United’s remarkable transformation from worst to first, but could one of the key components, and the one most often overlooked, be the acquisition of Davy Arnaud? 10. NO CHANGE FOR SAN JOSE … YET So is Dominic Kinnear on his way to the San Jose Earthquakes? Although the Dynamo acknowledge that the speculation has always existed, the Quakes have released a statement that no changes are forthcoming. They do note, somewhat ominously, that change might come at the end of the season. 11. PERILS OF CYCLING It seems the season could be over for Steven Lenhart. The San Jose Earthquakes forward had only just returned from a knee injury, but Lenhart will miss several weeks after reportedly cutting his foot while riding a bike. 12. NEW YORK CITY STARS ABROAD New York City’s Frank Lampard can’t stop scoring for loan club Manchester City at the moment, and while the midfielder gears up to play Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday, his fellow Designated Player, David Villa, is set to arrive in Melbourne on Tuesday in time for the start of the A-League season. 13. STILL A HOME FOR HOLDEN Stuart Holden has been without a club since his contract with Bolton Wanderers ran out in the summer, and while his former manager admits that mistakes were made during the US international’s rehabilitation, he also states that Holden can return to Bolton whenever he’s ready. 14. BROOKS DEMOTED? Many US soccer fans may have been expecting big things from center back John Brooks this season after his breakout goal during the 2014 World Cup but, following some inconsistent performances, the US defender has found himself demoted to Hertha Berlin’s Under-23 side instead. 15. IS VEGAS READY? While Las Vegas’ proposed stadium deal is still working through some issues, is the city actually ready for a top level professional soccer team? According to World Cup veteran and ex-MLSer Herculez Gomez, the answer is a resounding 'Yes.' MLSsoccer.com Musts Goal of the Week & Save of the Week: Vote now! ExtraTime Radio: MLS ready? Preki says Sacramento could hack it Instant Replay: Donovan’s penalty claim, Montreal’s protests and a tussle in KC

Kick Off: Landon Donovan equals assist record, Toronto get epic win, Sacramento lift a trophy

News  |  Videos  |  Schedule & Stats  |  Clubs  |  Fantasy  |  Shop Forward To A Friend Kick Off: Landon Donovan equals assist record, Toronto get epic win, Sacramento lift a trophy Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning: 1. THE BEST OF THE BEST The New York Red Bulls could do nothing but hold their hands up and offer praise to the LA Galaxy following a 4-0 loss on Sunday evening (HIGHLIGHTS). The game also saw Landon Donovan move level with Steve Ralston atop the league's all-time assists standings and, with just four games to go in the season, Donovan finally admitted he wants the record. 2. LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE Jermaine Jones sure picked a good time to score his first goal in MLS, hitting the winner in the New England Revolution's 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City (HIGHLIGHTS). The result means the Revs move above SKC into second in the Eastern Conference, but having nearly earned a draw, Sporting are focusing on the positives. 3. GET WELL WILL Could Toronto FC have really turned a corner? In a game that was marred by a horrific injury to Will Johnson, TFC came back from two goals down to beat the Portland Timbers 3-2 (HIGHLIGHTS) as the visiting team's defense fell apart yet again. While Toronto celebrated, they also sent well wishes to Canadian international Johnson, who has since undergone successful surgery on his broken leg. 4. MAKING THE MOST OF THE MOMENT With the Timbers having already lost, the Vancouver Whitecaps had an opportunity to move back above the red line, which they proceeded to do, coming from a goal behind to beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 (HIGHLIGHTS). However, with two penalties called against them, RSL were feeling a little down on their luck. 5. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS With Toronto FC breathing down their necks, the Columbus Crew strengthened their playoff position with a 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS), their fifth consecutive win at home. On the other side, Frank Klopas was so unhappy with one penalty call that the Impact coach was ejected from the game. 6. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED? Meanwhile, the Crew are looking for to the date of their much-anticipated rebrand. It will be another step forward under club owner Anthony Precourt, who continues to execute his vision in his first year in charge. 7. GETTING IT DONE It's felt like a long two months for D.C. United, but the Black-and-Red once again did what they had to, beating the Philadelphia Union 1-0 (HIGHLIGHTS) to open a six-point gap at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. The result also makes the Union's playoff chase that little bit harder and Jim Curtin was not impressed with his team's perceived lack of commitment. 8. GOOD GOING FORWARD While Chivas USA made an encouraging start to their game against the Seattle Sounders, the team in Rave Green proved too much, running out eventual 4-2 winners (HIGHLIGHTS). Yet while the Sounders attack impressed once again, the same can't be said of their defense. 9. DIFFICULT DRAW Colorado Rapids head coach Pablo Mastroeni described it as "probably one of the most difficult results I've experienced" after seeing his side concede a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes (HIGHLIGHTS). The Quakes are now winless in 10, but hailed the return of Matias Perez Garcia as a potential game changer. 10. DYNAMO STYLE Despite an attack-oriented lineup, the Chicago Fire saw their playoff hopes all but ended by a 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS). The Dynamo are only five points out now, with a game in hand, and owe their latest win to simply doing what the Dynamo do best. 11. MOVING ON? Could Dominic Kinnear's time in Houston be coming to an end? According to the Houston Chronicle, the head coach of the Houston Dynamo has been given permission to leave should the San Jose Earthquakes call to offer him a job. Hang on, though: the Quakes already have a head coach. 12. DOMESTICATING THE LIONS As Orlando City continues to build their squad for next season, several of their players would currently take up international spots, with another Brazilian potentially set to join them as well. However, for a number of players that status could soon be set to change. 13. ONE REPUBLIC Sacramento Republic FC completed a remarkable year by capturing the USL PRO title in just their first season in existence. In front of a sellout crowd at Bonney Field, the Republic beat the Harrisburg City Islanders 2-0 to walk away with the trophy and perhaps further strengthen their case to become an MLS expansion franchise. 14. YOU BETTER RECOGNIZE The Copa América Centenario was already confirmed for the US but, with FIFA voting to recognize the tournament as an official date on the international calendar, national team fans can now look forward to seeing all the best players on display. 15. THE INFLUENCE OF FIFA With copies of FIFA 15 flying off the shelves, how much has the popular gaming franchise helped to drive the growth of soccer in the US? MLSsoccer.com Musts Armchair Analyst: The greatest win in TFC history and more from week 29 How USL PRO will help shape the future of MLS and the USMNT TFC vs Timbers sets new league-wide single season sellout record

TWIM: All revved up for the MLS weekend

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Forward To A Friend JERMAINE JONES IS ALL REVVED UP GLITZ & GLAMOR: LA-NY takes center stage on a make-or-break weekend GOT MVP? Breaking down the Volkswagen MVP race down the stretch DISCOVERING DEANDRE: How the Sounders found & developed young star Yedlin COL v SJ CSN BAY AREA Saturday 9:00 PM ET SKC v NE NBCSN Friday 8:00 PM ET

DC v PHI
NBCSN
Saturday 3:00 PM ET
HOU v CHI

UNIMAS
Sunday 3:00 PM ET
LA v NY
ESPN2 / DEPORTES
Sunday 8:30 PM ET
PHI v CHI
ESPN2 / DEPORTES
Thursday 8:00 PM ET

TOR v POR	Saturday 1:00 PM ET
SEA v CHV	Saturday 4:00 PM ET
VAN v RSL	Saturday 7:00 PM ET
CLB v MTL	Saturday 7:30 PM ET