ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Canada begins World Cup qualifying | Sounders-Dallas fireworks

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Kick Off: Canada begins World Cup qualifying | Sounders-Dallas fireworks | USWNT vs. Sweden

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

1. LARIN LEADS CANADA TO VICTORY

The Canadian national team did exactly what they needed to do on Thursday, coming away with a 2-0 win over tiny Dominica in the first leg of their second-round World Cup qualifier. Orlando City forward Cyle Larin and Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert tallied for the Canucks.

2. CANADA'S WOMEN HELD BY FERNS

Unfortunately, the Canadian women’s national team couldn’t produce a similar result to the men on Thursday and had to settle for a 0-0 draw with New Zealand at the FIFA Women's World Cup.

3. USWNT MEET FORMER COACH

On Friday, attention switches to the USWNT, who take on Sweden (8 pm ET, FOX, NBC Universo, NBCDeportes.com). A win will put the Yanks into the knockout stage, but their former coach, Pia Sundhage, will be up for it, especially after taking a jab at Abby Wambach. How does Chelsea Ladies FC manager Emma Hayes think this heavyweight bout will go?

4. IMPACT’S NEW STAR

Both New York City FC and the Montreal Impact enter Saturday’s clash (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE) having recently earned important wins. Yet, while the Impact are benefitting from Wandrille Lefevre’s growing role, NYCFC will have to make do without forward Adam Nemec, who was called up to the Slovakian national team.

5. GALAXY FACE NEW DADDY KAMARA

As the LA Galaxy prepare to visit Columbus Crew SC on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), two of the team's mainstays could return from injury. Crew SC, meanwhile, will look to snap a five-game winless streak, but having just become a new father, Kei Kamara is feeling pretty lucky no matter what happens.

6. WHO REPLACE JERMAINE JONES?

With Jermaine Jones out, the New England Revolution need someone else to step up when they host the Chicago Fire on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Fire will be without some of their key men as well, including Shaun Maloney, who has explained to the Scottish media about the challenge of MLS and his club's ambitions.

7. DALLAS SEARCH FOR GOALS AGAINST SEATTLE

While Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins will likely return for the Seattle Sounders game against FC Dallas on Saturday (10 pm ET, MLS LIVE), it looks like Osvaldo Alonso is out, which could help further extend Andy Rose’s increasing influence in the side. For Dallas, with one goal in their last four games, the problem is pretty easy to identify.

8. CAN LIONS ROAR AGAINST MLS'S BEST?

Orlando City SC are unbeaten in four games, a run they’ll put on the line when they host the Supporters Shield leaders D.C. United on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1). They will look to avoid a season sweep against United, who will be powered again by their midfield juggernaut Perry Kitchen.

9. PETER VERMES IS UNIMPRESSED WITH ORLANDO CITY'S COMMENTS

Orlando City coach Adrian Heath recently discussed his former player Dom Dwyer, much to the consternation of Dwyer’s current coach, Sporting Kansas City’s Peter Vermes, who on Thursday took issue with Heath's comments.

10. US U-20s PREP FOR SERBIA

The US U-20 national team will face Serbia in the U-20 World Cup quarterfinals in New Zealand (12:30 am ET Sunday morning, 9:30 PT Saturday night, FOX Sports 1, NBC Universo, Telemundo, NBCDeportes.com). Can Tab Ramos’s side continue their run? Forward Rubio Rubin weighs in on ExtraTime Radio.

11. A VICTORY IN EVERY SENSE FOR USMNT

This week marked a remarkable one for the US national team, as it could be argued they overcame not just the Netherlands and Germany, but also a whole ton of negativity. Yet at least one question remains: Given his fine form in MLS this season, why can’t SKC star Benny Feilhaber get a look?

12. BOBBY WOOD LOOKING AT OPTIONS

This past week could mark a turning point for Bobby Woods, who hit two goals in the USMNT's recent friendlies. Jordan Morris also put in some good performances and though he’s still got another year of college ahead of him, the 20-year-old could soon have a tough decision to make.

13. MOVSISYAN MURMURS CONTINUE FOR RSL

With Real Salt Lake hoping that a week’s rest can help the side get over its current slump, technical director Craig Waibel offered his own thoughts on the reason behind RSL’s poor run of form. In the meantime, rumors linking the club with a return for former striker Yura Movsisyan refuse to go away.

14. TIMBERS GIVE BACK

With three consecutive wins, Caleb Porter is confident that the Portland Timbers are back on the right track now. This week, players from the team, along with Timbers owner Merritt Paulson, have been doing their bit to help the Portland community.

15. SOUNDERS BEAT THE GALAXY

The LA Galaxy may have had the last laugh in their only meeting with the Seattle Sounders so far this season in MLS action, but on Thursday, Seattle Sounders 2 came out on top with a 1-0 victory over LA Galaxy II in USL action. Aaron Kovar scored the only goal of the game, which S2 finished with 10 men following Sergio’s remarkable red-card offense.

MLSsoccer.com Musts

When will bigger clubs take notice of Bob Bradley?

Fantasy Doctor: Use the Round 15 wildcard to get critical with your roster

ExtraTime Radio: Early wake-up call for U20’s Rubin + USWNT preview