ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: MLS sides navigate US Open Cup passage as Fourth Round wraps

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Kick Off: MLS sides navigate US Open Cup passage as Fourth Round wraps | Atlanta unveiling set

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

1. FOURTH ROUND FINISHED

The Fourth Round of the US Open Cup concluded on Tuesday with seven more games, and while the majority of MLS sides got the job done, there were a couple of upsets. The USL's Charlotte independence beat the New England Revolution 1-0 in Boston, something the Revs blame on a lack of chemistry, and the New York Cosmos triumphed over New York City FC, winning a penalty-kick shootout 4-3 after the game finished 2-2. NYCFC were understandably unhappy to have let a lead slip away.

2. DRAW SOMETHING

The dust has settled, and on Thursday morning the pairings for the Round of 16 and quarterfinals of the Open Cup were drawn. The marquee matchup for the Round of 16, which will be played on June 30 and July 1, is another all-New York encounter, as the New York Red Bulls will host the Cosmos.

Fans in California, meanwhile, can enjoy a second California Clásico in four days, as the San Jose Earthquakes will host the LA Galaxy in Open Cup play immediately following their meeting at Stanford Stadium on June 27.

3. NEAL’S NEW ROLE

Orlando City are thrilled to still be alive in their quest to win an Open Cup and it seems their game against the Charleston Battery was the one to watch in round four, finishing 4-4 after extra time with Orlando eventually triumphing 8-7 on penalties. Lewis Neal scored the club's first goal on the night, and the midfielder is becoming an increasingly important player for the Lions.

4. BRADLEY EYES CONTINUITY

Fresh from his star performances with the US national team, Michael Bradley is back with Toronto FC and hoping to keep his own fine form going with the reinvigorated Canadian side ahead of this summer’s Gold Cup. Meanwhile, it looks like TFC might soon be welcoming a new Italian midfielder to the team.

5. KNOW THY ENEMY

The Women’s World Cup group stage drew to a close on Wednesday and with that, the US and Canada now know who’ll they be facing in their first knockout games. The US women face Colombia in Edmonton on Monday, while host side Canada will take on Switzerland on Sunday in Vancouver.

6. FIELD IS SET

In just over a month’s time, Canada's men's team and the other nine winners from World Cup qualifying this week will learn their opponents in round three and, potentially, round four of CONCACAF qualifying.

7. NO HELP FROM HUTCHINSON

As Canada look to continue their fine form from World Cup qualifying into this summer’s Gold Cup, will they once again have to make do without midfielder Atiba Hutchinson?

8. GARCIA GETS THE CALL

Honduras have revealed their final 23-man roster for the US Gold Cup group stages and it only includes one MLS player: the Houston Dynamo’s Boniek Garcia.

9. SAM GETS A SCARE

The New York Red Bulls advanced safely through the US Open Cup fourth round but the club has gained an injury concern, with Lloyd Sam forced from the field towards the end of the match. In other news, while USMNT winger Miguel Ibarra has just moved to Mexico, in another life he could have been joining the Red Bulls.

10. A NEW RIVAL

Sporting Kansas City and Saint Louis FC faced off in a well-attended US Open Cup clash on Tuesday. Although competitive games between the two sides are presently limited to just one potential match a year, SKC captain and KC native Matt Besler is hopeful that it can mark the beginnings of a brand-new rivalry for the two teams.

11. YEDLIN SET TO MOVE?

With Tottenham Hotspur visiting the US this summer, DeAndre Yedlin is bound to see some playing time for the Premier League team when they meet the MLS All-Stars in Colorado on July 29. But what about when the new EPL season starts? With Spurs apparently set to sign yet another right back, could the US international be heading out on loan?

12. GATT'S ROAD BACK

Some good news for another American abroad, as 23-year-old winger Josh Gatt alleviated fears of another potentially serious setback after he went down with a non-contact injury in his comeback game for Molde on May 22. The game was his first league appearance since June 2013 after he struggled with knee injuries, but it looks like we'll be seeing the speedster make his next showing in short order.

13. I NAME THEE

The identity of MLS’s new Atlanta franchise is starting to come together, with the new club set to unveil their name and logo on July 7 at an exclusive, founders-only party before an airing of a Gold Cup match. This could also mean we learn the club's primary colors, though the kit itself is expected to be revealed at a later date.

14. AND THE FLAMES, THEY WENT HIGHER

Ante Razov was one of the best strikers in MLS history and in his time with the Chicago Fire he became their all-time top goalscorer, which he remains to this day, helping them win five trophies along the way. It’s for all those reasons that the current Seattle Sounders assistant coach is finally being honored by the Chicago Fire with induction into their Ring of Fire.

15. LIGHT IT UP

The second derby between New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls is just over a week away. Starting next Wednesday, fans of the two sides can compete to have the Empire State building lit up in their colors. Which team has the better support? We’ll find out soon enough.

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