ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Quest for the quarterfinals begins tonight as US Open Cup resumes

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Kick Off: Quest for the quarterfinals begins tonight as US Open Cup resumes | Moment of truth for US women

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

1. QUEST FOR THE QUARTERFINALS

The Lamar Hunt US Open Cup resumes this week with the Round of 16, and things get underway on Tuesday with an encounter between I-95 rivals the Philadelphia Union and D.C. United (7 pm ET, YouTube).

2. RELYING ON RIBEIRO

Orlando City’s growing rivalry with Columbus Crew SC continues in the US Open Cup Tuesday(7:30 pm ET, YouTube) and with Cyle Larin now gone for the Gold Cup, Pedro Ribeiro will be the one tasked with scoring for the Lions this summer. Meanwhile, former Crew SC player Aaron Horton has found a new home in USL.

3. FIRE SEE OPPORTUNITY

The Chicago Fire host the Charlotte Independence tonight (8:30 pm ET,YouTube) and Frank Yallop (right) sees the US Open Cup game against the last remaining USL side as a chance to set things right with his side. Yallop has also been explaining some of the thinking behind the Amarikwa-Harden trade.

4. TALKING TORRES

As the Houston Dynamo prepare for their US Open Cup game against the Colorado Rapids(Tuesday, 9 pm ET, YouTube) the Texan side are also working hard to try and ensure Erick "Cubo" Torres will be with them at the earliest available moment.

5. IS IT TIME FOR THE USWNT TO SWITCH THINGS UP?

As the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup get underway, Tuesday's encounter between the US and Germany sees the two top-ranked teams in the world collide (7 pm ET, Fox, NBC Universo). Yet given their consistent difficulties, is it time for the US to consider a new formation?

6. A MIDWEST CASCADIA?

Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas meet each other again on Wednesday in the US Open Cup (8:30 pm ET, YouTube) and fans of both sides, along with those of the Colorado Rapids, have finalized plans for their own rivalry series.

7. SAM SET TO RETURN?

While Lloyd Sam missed the New York Red Bulls’ weekend triumph over New York City FC, the midfielder is hoping to be fit for the club’s second New York derby, this time against the New York Cosmos, on Wednesday. However, one player who may not feature for a while is Ronald Zubar.

8. POWELL’S PATH TO PORTLAND

Alvas Powell has slowly but surely matured into one of the Portland Timbers' most reliable players, with head coach Caleb Porter comparing him favorably to DeAndre Yedlin. YetPowell’s path to this point has been anything but easy.

9. ONE MORE YEAR FOR MORRIS

The Seattle Sounders are welcoming back a beloved former player to their ranks. But for those hoping to see Jordan Morris (right) also join their side anytime soon, the rising star has reaffirmed that he’ll be playing another season in college before he turns pro.

10. NEW ACADEMY CHIEF FOR TFC

With Toronto FC’s team coming together on the field, the club have taken the next step to ensure they can continue to produce talented young players of their own, announcing Laurent Guyot as the new director of the TFC Academy.

11. SCORPIONS NEED MORE STING

The San Antonio Scorpions are often mentioned in the MLS expansion conversation. But what else can the NASL club do to give themselves the best chance to reach their lofty goals?

12. RETURNS, ROUTS AND REVENGE IN THE USL

Bradford Jamieson made a successful return from his concussion over the weekend, scoring two goals for LA Galaxy 2 in USL play to help them on their way to a 4-2 win over the Tulsa Roughnecks. Meanwhile, on Monday Seattle Sounders 2 went some way towards avenging their parent side with a 2-0 win over Portland Timbers 2.

13. PLAYING PERU?

It appears the US national team could be heading back to RFK Stadium in the nation's capital for a post-Gold Cup friendly, as reports on Monday suggest that the US will schedule a September match against Peru, who last night lost their Copa America semifinal against Chile.

14. NO MORENO FOR MEXICO

Mexico have suffered an injury blow ahead of the Gold Cup: Hector Moreno has been ruled out of the tournament as he prepares to undergo surgery on his right foot.

15. DATES ARE SET FOR CCL

The opposition was already set, but CONCACAF has now revealed the full schedule for the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League (defending champs Club America pictured right) meaning that fans of MLS’ five representatives can now start planning for international games both home and away.

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