1. DERIC'S ODYSSEY
Houston goalkeeper Tyler Deric will likely have a few questions to answer tonight, when he and the Dynamo take on the New York Red Bulls (9 pm ET; UniMas in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) at BBVA Compass Stadium. Deric's been stellar in 2015, but things haven't always been easy for the Homegrown 'keeper, who had a long journey to become Houston's No. 1. Another player who's been solid this season? New York's English attacker Lloyd Sam, who is no rush to return home.
2. US LOOK FOR RESULT VS. NETHERLANDS
The US national team take on the Netherlands this afternoon (2:30 pm ET; ESPN, WatchESPN, UniMas, UDN) in the first of two European friendlies for Jurgen Klinsmann’s side this month. Klinsmann, who will lead the Yanks against his native Germany next Wednesday, has said results are the focus for the friendlies and that a high percentage of the squad involved in these games will make the Gold Cup roster.
3. NYCFC STILL ADDING A THIRD DP
With Andrea Pirlo rumors swirling, New York City FC coach Jason Kreis has reiterated his club's plans to add a third DP this summer. Winless in their last 11, NYCFC have more pressing business to take care of on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union (7 pm ET, MLS LIVE), who have seen 33-year-old midfielder Brian Carroll roll back the clock during their recent hot streak. Hear what head coach Jim Curtin has to say about the Union season thus far on ExtraTime Radio.
4. CAN UNITED BREAK DOWN TORONTO?
D.C. United are now unbeaten in 20 home matches, but the injury list is starting to pile up for the league leaders. Luckily, Fabian Espindola and Jairo Arrieta should both be available for United’s game against Toronto FC (Saturday, 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE); they’ll be tasked with getting past emerging Reds defender Eriq Zavaleta.
5. ANGER MANAGEMENT
Columbus Crew SC were outplayed by the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday and surely know they need to be more clinical with their chances if they want to beat the Montreal Impact on Saturday (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Impact will welcome back Marco Donadel on Saturday, with the veteran Italian midfielder vowing to control himself after picking up a red card last weekend.
6. ABSENT STARS FOR SOUNDERS AND SPORTING KC
Although he won’t be available for Sporting Kansas City’s game against the Seattle Sounders on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) while on international duty, Hungarian striker Krisztian Nemeth has been named Etihad Airways MLS Player of the Month for May. The Sounders also look to be without a number of their stars, with Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins potentially missing the game, not that that the team is concerned about that.
7. CAN THE FIRE END ORLANDO’S STREAK?
The Chicago Fire may have lost on Wednesday, but Harry Shipp’s brief run as a No. 10 may have shown signs of things to come. Either way, the rebuilt Fire roster is showing signs of progress and on Saturday they’ll be looking to put an end to Orlando City’s three-game unbeaten streak (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE).
8. KEANE READY FOR SOME MINUTES
The LA Galaxy’s injury list remains quite long, but star forward Robbie Keane has stated that he could be in line for minutes against the Vancouver Whitecaps this Saturday (10:30 pm ET; TSN2 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). The 'Caps weren't happy with their loss at Montreal on Wednesday, but the trip wasn’t all bad for Kekuta Manneh.
9. CAN THE TIMBERS MAKE IT THREE IN A ROW?
The growing understanding between Gaston Fernandez and Maximiliano Urruti has been key to the Timbers' recent success, and Portland will be hoping it continues when they look to make it three straight for the first time in MLS when they host the New England Revolution on Saturday (10:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Revs won’t have Jermaine Jones for the next few matches because of a groin injury, but will that affect his Gold Cup availability?
10. ROCKY MOUNTAIN PROSPECTS
Real Salt Lake are preparing to begin the Rocky Mountain Cup against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday (5 pm ET; ESPNEWS in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), and the club may have just found another bright young talent in academy product Justen Glad. The Rapids will also be hoping they might have a future star after the Navy officially gave Joseph Greenspan permission to join the club.
11. DALLAS DEALS WITH BLOWS AHEAD OF SAN JOSE TRIP
The San Jose Earthquakes host FC Dallas on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1) at Avaya Stadium, one of the more unique venues in MLS. FC Dallas have been hit hard by international call-ups, but Mauro Diaz is still with the team and learning how to deal with physical play from his opponents.
12. U-20s BROUGHT BACK TO EARTH
Having already qualified for the knockout round of the World Cup, the US U-20s - who are being helped along in New Zealand by Landon Donovan - were brought back down to earth a bit early Friday morning, losing 3-0 to Ukraine to close Group A action. Things could have been worse for the US, who saw a CONCACAF counterpart shockingly fall 3-0 to Fiji.
13. EXTENDED EXPORTS
Good news on the export front, as US international Greg Garza has signed a new three-year deal with Club Tijuana and Canadian national team star Atiba Hutchinson has agreed to a two-year extension with Turkish side Besiktas.
14. U-23s STILL ALIVE IN TOULON
As unlikely as it may have seemed yesterday morning, with France beating the Netherlands 4-0, the US U-23s will now play for third place at the Toulon Tournament this Sunday. They’ll face either England, Mexico or Morocco depending on how the final Group B games finish today.
15. WOMEN'S WORLD CUP BEGINS TOMORROW
Saturday marks the start of the Women's World Cup in Canada, and although the USWNT won’t be in action until Monday, Canada will get things underway on Saturday, kicking off the tournament with a group stage game against China.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
MLS Now | Will Agudelo replace Altidore?
ExtraTime Radio: Jim Curtin on the MLS Rollercoster | WWC preview
Fun Time with Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux and USWNT Stars | Off Topic with Rachel Bonnetta
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