ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids renew Western rivalry on UniMas

Kick Off: FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids renew Western rivalry on UniMas | 'Caps add another Uruguayan

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

1. DALLAS WELCOME THE RAPIDS

FC Dallas host the Colorado Rapids on Friday in the latest edition of Viernes de Fútbol (7 pm ET; UniMas in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). While FC Dallas are looking to put their first loss of the season behind them, the Rapids are looking to end any number of unwanted streaks. Not that Je-Vaughn Watson gives them much hope.

2. FITNESS QUESTIONS AHEAD

Having earned a creditable draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday, Columbus Crew SC flew to the other coast on Saturday for a game against the New England Revolution (3 pm ET, MLS LIVE) and now-established star goalkeeper Bobby Shuttleworth. The hosts have a decision to make when it comes to Jermaine Jones' fitness, but the visitors could be without their own potential US star.

3. NEW YORK CITY MAKE FOR A TOUGH DEBUT

As local lad John McCarthy gets ready for his dream opportunity playing in goal for the Philadelphia Union, New York City FC will be looking to make sure that dream becomes a nightmare this Saturday (4 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Union coach Jim Curtin is wary of the threat NYCFC pose, and the expansion side's savvy veteran Ned Grabavoy will be looking to improve on his own already-impressive start to the season.

4. SILVA'S SLOW ROAD BACK

Luis Silva scored on his season debut last Friday, but his return from injury took a little longer than he'd expected. Can he do it again when his D.C. United side take on their old rivals the New York Red Bulls (Saturday, 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE), who have a new focus on their own academy development and are vigilant of a United side looking for revenge.

5. IMPACT SWITCH FOCUS

The Montreal Impact have already sold more than 35,000 tickets for their home leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final later this month, underlining the fact that their stirring run in the tournament deserves to be celebrated, not questioned. However, the Canadian side now need to switch their focus back to MLS as they take on the Houston Dynamo Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). One team they won't need to worry about for a while is the San Jose Earthquakes.

6. TORRES IN TEXAS, BUT NOT FOR THE DYNAMO

The Houston Dynamo hope to resolve their scoring issues when they take on the Impact. Although Owen Coyle has reiterated that star striker Erick "Cubo" Torres won't be joining the side until July, the Scotsman will be heading west to San Antonio to watch his future star in action for Mexico as El Tri take on the US national team on Wednesday.

7. CAN REAL SALT LAKE STAY UNBEATEN?

Real Salt Lake are one of only two MLS teams yet to lose a game this season, but on Saturday they face a Sporting Kansas City team looking for their third straight win (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Krisztian Nemeth will be hoping to help ensure another positive result for SKC; get to know the Hungarian striker, who has an "old school" feel to his game, here.

8. WHITECAPS ADD AN EXTRA OPTION

Undefeated in five games, the Vancouver Whitecaps may have gotten even stronger on Thursday after securing 22-year-old Uruguayan winger Cristian Techera on a season-long loan. They'll take on the Earthquakes Saturday night (10:30 pm ET; TSN2 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). How will the Quakes stop the 'Caps with a depleted squad?

9. LIONS OFFENSE SET FOR FITNESS BOOST?

As Orlando City look to solve their scoring problems, Northern Irish striker Martin Paterson is nearing a return to fitness. However, the Lions face another tough test this weekend when they take on the Portland Timbers (Sunday, 5 pm ET; ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), whose new, dynamic defensive duo are the subject of the latest MLS Insider.

10. SEB'S EXCELLENT OCSC ADVENTURE

Orlando City defender Seb Hines has gotten the Sky Sports treatment as the UK media giant profiled his move from Middlesbrough to MLS. Hines paints a glowing portrait of his experience thus far - "I'm loving it out here" - and even makes a bullish prediction about the Lions' postseason prospects.

11. WESTERN CONFERENCE POWERS SET FOR FIRST FACE-OFF

On Sunday the LA Galaxy face the Seattle Sounders for the first time since last season's Western Conference final (7 pm ET; Fox Sports 1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). LA vet Todd Dunivant is transitioning to life as a backup, while Juninho is enjoying his new role as a leader. That last encounter didn't go the Sounders' way and this weekend's visitors are keen to make amends this time around.

12. BUILDING A BASE

The US climbed five places in the latest FIFA World Rankings, ascending to 27th in the world. And there was more good news for U.S. Soccer as the national training center in Kansas City has received final approval for construction.

13. ALTIDORE SITTING THIS ONE OUT

There's no game for Toronto FC this week, and having picked up a red card in the USMNT's game vs. Switzerland, Jozy Altidore could sit out the Yanks' game against Mexico next week as he serves a one-game suspension for his red card in Zurich. No comment yet from U.S. Soccer, however.

14. PERFECT PLACES

With their MLS expansion franchise secure, Minnesota United are set to begin their big stadium push next week. A recent survey has compiled a list of the cities that its criteria suggests would be more than capable of supporting an MLS team. Who would you want to see join MLS?

15. DONOVAN WATCH

You can cross another item off Landon Donovan's post-retirement list of things to do, as the former MLS star threw out the first pitch at an LA Dodgers baseball game on Wednesday. Wait, aren't two of the Dodgers owners also owners of LAFC? Isn't Donovan an LA Galaxy legend? Awkward.

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