ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Montreal Impact take aim at Champions League glory l Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS in 2018?

Kick Off: Montreal Impact take aim at Champions League glory l Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS in 2018?

Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:

1. CAN THE IMPACT MARCH ON?

Tonight the Montreal Impact will begin their quest to become only the fifth MLS side to reach the final of the CONCACAF Champions League (or Champions Cup) when they host Costa Rican side Alajuelense in the first leg of their CCL semifinal series (8 pm ET, FOX Sports 2, Univision Deportes, Sportsnet One in Canada). Here's a video preview featuring quarterfinal hero Cameron Porter. The Impact have sold more than 30,000 tickets for this game, but where does their CCL run rank in MLS history?

2. CLUB AMERICA GET PUMMELED

In the other CONCACAF Champions League semifinal series, there's a potential upset in the making. The second Costa Rican side in the competition, Herediano, walloped Mexican giants Club America 3-0 in the first leg, setting themselves up nicely for the decisive match in Mexico.

3. TARGET 2018

Could 2018 see MLS land its biggest Designated Player to date? That's the year Cristiano Ronaldo's contract with Real Madrid expires and, according to reports, the Portuguese superstar has his heart set on a move to North America after that year's World Cup.

4. WARMER THAN THE EAST COAST

The Colorado Rapids have officially transferred forward Deshorn Brown to Norwegian side Valerenga. With AJ Soares now on the books at Viking, that makes two MLS players who have headed to Norway this year, and it seems there could be a third on his way, as reports suggest Philadelphia Union midfielder Danny Cruz is being sent out on loan.

5. FRIENDS BECOME FOES

Way back in 2012, Chris Wondolowski won the MLS MVP award as the Frank Yallop-led San Jose Earthquakes marched their way to the Supporters' Shield. With the Chicago Fire the opponent in Avaya Stadium's inaugural MLS match (Sunday, 7 pm ET, FOX Sports 1, FOX Deportes, FOXSports2GO), the two men face each other once again, something Frank Yallop is incredibly wary of on what he knows will be an emotional afternoon.

6. MUSTACHE MAN

If you haven't seen Pablo Mastroeni's mustache by now, well ... click here. It's incredible. It's also here to stay, apparently. Mastroeni told the Denver Post that the 'stache "is symbolic of a rite of passage" and was initially grown on advice from his father. He may even keep it long-term as he tries to rebuild the Rapids.

7. THE SCHMID REVIEW

Sigi Schmid wasn't on the sideline for the Seattle Sounders' Saturday loss to the San Jose Earthquakes, instead attending his son's wedding, but the head coach has watched the video and cast his verdict on the team's performance. The Sounders also signed two draft picks on Tuesday, one of which provides another option at right back.

8. RED BULLS MOVE SOME PIECES

The New York Red Bulls are shaking things up again, this time parting ways with technical director Ricardo Campos, and as the club gets set to host D.C. United in their home opener on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN), it looks like their back line could be in line for some injury-enforced changes as well.

9. WHERE'S NEXT?

Following the news that Minnesota United are in "advanced discussions" to become the next MLS franchise, SI.com ponders what it means for other expansion hopefuls. It certainly hasn't deterred the Sacramento Republic, who are still hopeful they can one day earn a spot in the league.

10. CANADIAN CREW

Looks like another Canadian international could be on his way to MLS, as Julian De Guzman is currently training with Columbus Crew SC. Sadly, there was bad news for a Canadian export, as injury has brought Doneil Henry's season to an end before it really ever began.

11. CALL-UPS UPON CALL-UPS

With the US national team set to play two games in Europe at the end of this month, and the US Under-23 and Under-20 sides also holding their own European camps, there could be some interesting callups for all three teams that come down this weekend. Indeed, while senior head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has said he'll announce his roster over the weekend, have we already heard about the first call-up?

12. USMNT PLAYERS UNDER SPOTLIGHT

Ahead of those big games, Jurgen Klinsmann had some pretty positive things to say regarding MLS and its star national-team players, singling out Brek Shea in particular for praise. Will Sporting Kansas City's Graham Zusi be part of those plans? Right now he has enough to do playing through the pain from the lingering effects of a stress fracture.

13. THE FIGHT FOR ZELALEM

It seems the US are not the only ones interested in Gedion Zelalem, as Germany have called the intriguing Arsenal prospect up to their U-18 team for two upcoming friendlies against France. No word on whether he'll accept just yet, but meanwhile FC Dallas' Moises Hernandez is considering choosing Guatemala over the US.

14. A FIRST WORLD CUP

Richie Williams never got to play at a World Cup for the US national team but now, having guided the US Under-17s successfully through CONCACAF qualifying, he'll at least get the chance to coach at one. Yet, having just scraped past Jamaica on penalty kicks, what improvements does the side need to make ahead of the big tournament?

15. GOING TO THE SOURCE

There have been plenty of clubs in recent years that have talked about trying to replicate "Moneyball" in soccer, and many that have attempted it as well, to varying degrees of success. It seems that Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and former US international Earnie Stewart are taking it to the next level by actually hiring Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane as an advisor.

MLSsoccer.com Musts

90+: The best highlights from Week 2

Villa gets the plaudits, but NYCFC back line is unsung hero

Vote now for Week 2's Save of the Week