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September 1, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


1. D.C. United carries six-game unbeaten streak - and scoring surge - into New York City

By Steve Goff Washington Post - August 31, 2016

D.C. United is not counting on scoring six goals again Thursday.

Last weekend's outbreak against Chicago was, after all, an anomaly by any soccer standard. But it did show United's capacity to attack in rhythm, create opportunities through craft and ingenuity, and capitalize in dangerous spots.

With summer acquisitions in place, United had been building toward a breakout.

"It's a nice thing we've got going on right now," midfielder Lloyd Sam said. "People are playing well together and we've got a lot of guys on form."

Unbeaten in six matches, United will seek to sustain form against star-laden New York City FC at Yankee Stadium. United (7-8-11, 32 points) is gripping to the sixth and final playoff berth in MLS's Eastern Conference with eight matches left, while the hosts (11-8-8, 41) are aiming to overtake first-place Toronto FC (12-8-7, 43).

For most of the year, United was among the league's lowest scorers: seven scoreless efforts and five one-goal performances in the first 15 league matches. But the club has scored in 10 of the past 11 outings and posted 12 goals in the four games featuring Coach Ben Olsen's prime attacking quartet of Sam, Patrick Nyarko, Luciano Acosta and Patrick Mullins.

Sam and Mullins were acquired two weeks apart from the New York area teams: Sam from the New Jersey-based Red Bulls, Mullins from NYCFC. In exchange, United relinquished primarily financial considerations (known in MLS as general allocation money and targeted allocation money).

Last weekend, Mullins, a former University of Maryland star, recorded his first pro hat trick to increase his D.C. haul to five goals in five starts (seven appearances overall).

Besides the arrival of Sam and Mullins, Nyarko has regained his place after recovering from a second concussion this year and Acosta, 21, has turned into an influential playmaker.

Describing Acosta, Mullins said: "It's simple with him: He has so much talent, if you move, he will find you."

Acosta's three assists last weekend equaled a single-game club record, and Mullins was named MLS player of the week.

Midseason changes do come with risk. Besides new players, Olsen adjusted the formation from 4-4-2 to 4-1-4-1.

"You just don't know what it's going to look like, not only from a playing standpoint, from a locker room standpoint," assistant coach Chad Ashton said. "Credit to the guys already here, but credit to those new guys, who have gelled really well together."

The support system, though, will not be fully intact Thursday. Center back Steve Birnbaum is with the U.S. national team for two World Cup qualifiers, and midfielder Jared Jeffrey is serving a one-game suspension for exceeding the league's yellow-card limit.

Kofi Opare or Jalen Robinson will replace Birnbaum. Rob Vincent or Nick DeLeon is likely to fill in for Jeffrey, who also had a concussion diagnosed this week after getting elbowed in the face in the Chicago match and leaving in the first half. With a long break, United is hopeful he'll pass concussion protocol in time for the next game, Sept. 11 at the Red Bulls.

NYCFC also lost a defensive starter to international call-ups: Ronald Matarrita (Costa Rica).

With the attack clicking, United is confident it can continue generating chances and finishing them off. NYCFC features MLS co-leading scorer David Villa (16 goals), famous European midfielders Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo and emerging attacker Thomas McNamara. But the club has also conceded the second-most goals in the league (45) and plays on a narrow field - jammed into a baseball park - conducive to abnormal opportunities.

"There are always a lot of chances on this field anyway," Ashton said. "To go in with the mind-set that you just did score a few goals, it's a good place for your guys to be."

United is also motivated by the playoff hunt.

Asked to explain United's surge, Sam said: "We seem to be realizing we've come into crunch time. We're running out of time and we need points on the board. There's a little more desire and we're creating a lot of chances."

United notes: Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra and midfielder Miguel Aguilar are with third-flight Richmond (12-6-7) for the Wednesday makeup game at City Stadium against the Charleston Battery (11-5-8). The match was rescheduled after an Aug. 17 lightning storm. The playoff-bound Kickers are unbeaten in nine straight.

2. Former Terrapins star Patrick Mullins carries message onto field with D.C. United

By Thomas Floyd Washington Times - August 31, 2016

There's a message Patrick Mullins carries with him every time he takes the field, scrawled in black marker across the front of his shin guards.

"First. Last. Only."

It's a mantra Mullins adopted a year ago, after attending a church service in New York. Delivering his homily, the priest spoke of how he approached every opportunity to address his congregation as if it were his first Mass, his last Mass and his only Mass.

"So the type of effort, the type of concentration and enthusiasm that he put into it, he wanted to be that way for every Mass," Mullins recalled. "With something like soccer, where it's an everyday thing and a grind where you really have to come in and put the work in, I thought that was perfect for the attitude that I want to have as a player."

That outlook was put to the test over Mullins' time with New York City FC. Backing up Spanish legend David Villa, the University of Maryland product made 24 appearances last season - scoring six goals - but saw the field in just 7 of 21 matches for NYCFC in 2016.

So the club dealt Mullins to D.C. United in mid-July, acquiring allocation money and an international roster slot for the 24-year-old striker. After notching his first professional hat trick in a 6-2 win over the Chicago Fire on Saturday, Mullins finds himself with five goals in seven games - already enough to lead a 7-8-11 United team that had ranked among the league's worst attacks.

Mullins has made the players around him better as well, serving as a strong and shrewd outlet up top to help invigorate the attacking midfield trident of Luciano Acosta, Patrick Nyarko and Lloyd Sam.

"He's in good spots," United coach Ben Olsen said. "He's predictable in the way he plays and he seems to be finding a relationship or two with some attacking players, in particular Lucho, and that's healthy."

Defender Taylor Kemp added: "He's a poacher in the box, which is good for us because we were hurting for goals a little bit. He works hard, holds the ball up in some tough spots and does a lot of the dirty work."

United and Mullins have made for a perfect marriage after years of flirtation. While the club could have taken the former Terrapin with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 draft, United instead traded back a slot and selected defender Steve Birnbaum, who has since grown into an All-Star and U.S. national team regular.

Mullins, meanwhile, surprisingly dropped to the New England Revolution at No. 11. Two and a half years later, Mullins has returned to the D.C. area - where he won the Hermann Trophy as college soccer's top male player in 2012 and 2013 - as an evolved athlete.

"He's changed quite a bit," said Kemp, who played with Mullins at Maryland. "He's definitely smarter, his movement is very good and a lot of things have just grown about him."

As Mullins prepares to face NYCFC (11-8-8) on Thursday at Yankee Stadium, there are no hard feelings about the lack of opportunities he received this season under first-year coach Patrick Vieira.

Mullins instead fixates on the lessons learned in a locker room featuring Villa, Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard, with whom he forged a particularly strong connection after idolizing the English soccer icon growing up.

"I definitely had a very positive experience there in both of my seasons," Mullins said. "It was a place I sunk a lot of myself into to try to put my stamp on the club and also try to become a part of that club. When you have the opportunity as a pro to play against a former team like that, it can definitely be challenging in terms of managing emotions.

"But I think that's just something you have to deal with and something where I know what to expect, and I expect myself to deal with it."

Although Mullins' MLS breakout has felt like a long time coming, he did bag goals in four of his first five matches as a rookie with New England. But after that initial scoring streak, he went two years without starting more than three consecutive games for the Revolution or NYCFC.

Now that Mullins has found a groove, he's reminded to fend off complacency every time he pulls his socks over those shin guards.

At that moment, the message reverberates: "First. Last. Only."

"I always did believe I had the capabilities to be a starter on a team, and that's what I always wanted," Mullins said. "But at the same time, that's something that you earn every day. I put my head down and worked hard from the second I got here - but that doesn't guarantee anything going forward."

3. TFC's Vanney: 'I'm always looking for the perfect game'

By John Molinaro SportsNet.ca - August 31, 2016

If ever there was a Major League Soccer coach who decided to drink from the poisoned chalice, that coach would be Greg Vanney.

On Aug. 31, 2014, Toronto FC fired Ryan Nelsen following a 3-0 loss at home to the New England Revolution. Although sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, the Reds, with a 9-9-6 record, were trending in the wrong direction with 10 games remaining in the MLS season. TFC were mired in a dreadful run of defensive form (26 goals against in 13 matches) and Nelsen had lost the room, so general manager Tim Bezbatchenko and former president and CEO of MLSE Tim Leiweke decided to make a change.

Less than 24 hours after the loss to New England, Nelsen was gone, and Vanney, at the time an assistant GM and director of the team's youth academy, was hired as his replacement. Vanney became the ninth Toronto coach in eight seasons. No TFC coach ever made it past two years, and considering this team's history of managerial turnover, and Vanney's inexperience - this was his first head coaching gig, having only previously served as an assistant coach at Chivas USA - the odds were pretty good that he wasn't going to last long, either.

Two years later, Toronto FC has never been in better shape. The Reds boast the best player in the league, they have a playoff game under their belt (albeit in an embarrassing loss to rivals Montreal), they currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference and are challenging for the Supporters' Shield (awarded to the top team in MLS at the end of the regular season), and they look a sure bet to qualify for the playoffs for a second straight year.

And Vanney? He's still in charge. Tuesday marked exactly two years since his appointment, making him the longest-serving coach in franchise history.

On the date of his two-year anniversary, Vanney sat down for a lengthy, one-on-one chat with Sportsnet.ca to discuss a variety of subjects, including: how he got the job, his managerial style, Sebastian Giovinco's influence, the playoff loss in Montreal, club president Bill Manning's decision to stick with him after the playoff loss, his views on social media criticism of the team, and his future with TFC.

Below is part one of our Q&A. Come back to Sportsnet.ca on Thursday to read part two.

Take me through that day - Aug. 31, 2014 - when you were hired as coach, because it was pretty hectic how it all came together. How quickly did it all happen? Greg Vanney: My head was spinning. It was an uncomfortable feeling. When somebody loses their job, it's just a very uncomfortable day for everyone. I'd known Ryan for a while, so it was very awkward. Then I got thrown in front of the media and it was just a whirlwind of a day - honestly, I can't even remember what I said at the press conference. Really, the only thing I remember clearly were the emotions involved, in terms of it was not a good day for the club.

I was thrust into it pretty quickly. We lost that game [vs. New England], and then I took over the next day and we had a midweek game in Philadelphia, so I didn't have much time to settle. I'd taken the job on Sunday and we were playing again on Wednesday, so my immediate thoughts were how was I going to try to impact this group of players. My immediate thought was 'what do I do next?'

Did you have a sense that something was in the works before it happened? Did you know that Tim Bezbatchenko was thinking about making a coaching change? Vanney: Everyone in the building knew it was getting down to a bit of crunch time in terms of results and performances. But I didn't know anything specifically as to when or what it was going to take, either way, for Ryan to lose his job or keep his job. I wasn't privy to those conversations, and I honestly didn't know what the next plan would be in terms of who was going to take over for Ryan. It wasn't until after the game on Saturday that Tim [Leiweke] and Tim [Bezbatchenko] called me into the office and said 'we're going to do this. This is going to happen. Are you ready to do this?' I said I was ready, and that I have some opinions on the team having watched from afar, and they said, 'well, here you go.' [laughs]

It happened very fast and I wasn't inside the loop that it was coming, and I think that's important that it be that way because you never want the next guy to be there just waiting for the job to fall into his lap as he looks over your shoulder. That's not fair to the incumbent coach.

Why did you want the job? With all due respect to TFC, you were fully aware of the team's history of hiring and firing coaches. You had far more job security as assistant GM and director of the youth academy. So why take this job on? Vanney: What it mostly came down to was I cared about the club. I spent the first seven months here working with Tim and Tim trying to lay out a long-term vision for the club, and how the club could be successful for many years. I'm very passionate about working on projects, and I quickly get locked in and involved in on projects when I start them. When I get involved in a project, I throw my entire self into that project, and the project I took on here was trying to make this club successful. I felt like we were a little bit of a club in crisis at the time, and I was asked to be the guy to help us at that moment, so more than anything else I felt obligated.

Being a head coach was something I was always interested in, but I didn't know when it would come. For me the process is all about learning. Every step I've taken, even when I was a player, all of these steps I've taken in my career have been to try to learn more about being a coach - whether it's learning more about the league, working closely with Tim [Bezbatchenko] to learn about the inside stuff of MLS and how things work. I tried to build up a number of different experiences that would help me when I got that shot one day to be a coach.

I didn't expect it to happen as quickly as it did. I had confidence in my knowledge of the game, and who I am as a manager of people. It felt like the club was in a position where it seemed it needed that. So I went for it. There was a bit of discussion and debate between my wife and I because she knew head coaches don't have a ton of job security, especially in the past with TFC. The role I was in at the time had far more long-term security.

So you felt as though you were taking a chance in taking the job? Vanney: I did, yeah. I knew it was a bit of a risk, but I also knew that over the course of a career there are only so many times that you get opportunities. For me, I felt confident in what I knew, I was confident in what I'm capable of doing and here was the chance.

You've said previously that one of the hardest parts of this job has been to change the culture of TFC. What was the culture like when you took over as coach? How has it changed in the last two years? Vanney: Before I arrived here, I'd gone to other teams and done club evaluations - at Barcelona, Stuttgart, clubs in France - so I had walked into clubs before where you instantly feel the culture and how they work and how things are done, and that they have certain systems in place, and you just feel the success that comes from it. When I came here I didn't feel like that when I first walked into the building - it still felt disjointed. It wasn't everybody working together under a similar idea of what success is and how we're going to get there. There were still a lot of different ideas, and the different departments were disjointed; people were not necessarily collaborating together and going in the same direction with uniformity and with a clear idea of how to define success.

So for me, it was important to define where it is we're going, and how we're going to get there. Once you have that, it's about getting the people on board that are going to buy into it and who are going to add something to what you are doing to help you get there. It's like I say all the time to the players: I might not have the perfect idea of how to play the game, but if we all are on the same page, we give ourselves the best possible chance to win every time we step onto the field because we're better as a team than we are as a collection of individuals - and the same applies to us as a club. The sooner we all could get on the same page, and everybody had their responsibility and role within the bigger picture, the better.

How much of changing the culture is tied to achieving success on the field? Vanney: Oh, that's part of it, no doubt. I think you need some successes, you need something along the way that convinces or assures everybody that they're on the right path, and what they're doing is working, and that takes time. There were a number of years where the club probably felt it was on the right path but [the kind of] success that builds up the confidence of what people are doing didn't come.

Last year we started to get little wins along the way - it took us a while to keep building up little wins. Last year, it was a big win to get to the playoffs, but I thought it was just a series of little wins that got us there. I said to the team at the end of the season that we really didn't take the big step forward - we took a lot of little steps forward. We took the little steps, stayed consistent with the process and we got to the playoffs. We clearly weren't ready to win once we go to the playoffs for various reasons.

What have you done to make sure you're ready to win this year? Vanney: I think it's about being honest about yourself and your group and how you're going to get better. It's easy for people sometimes to not be honest with themselves, but for me, we had to really have an honest evaluation of where we stood and what we had. We recognized what new pieces we really needed, and that means we had to have difficult conversations, letting guys go that you don't really want to let go but you need to let go in order to get to the next level. We had a sit-down at the end of last year and we were all on the same page, me and Tim [Bezbatchenko] and Bill [Manning] as to what were the pieces we needed to add that could help us take another step forward.

I still think we have more steps to take, there's still a lot to learn. I, as a manager, still have a lot to learn. It's always a constant process - I am never satisfied. I'm always looking for the perfect game, and I know it's never going to come, but I'm always in search of it. I'll always feel there's something we can improve upon. That's how I go about my job every day.

How have you grown into the job? Vanney: From the get go, I wanted to be very clear with the ideas I wanted to impart to the players, and the more times you do it, and the more years you get under your belt, and the more pre-seasons you have, the clearer you are on what you want to achieve, and the better feel you get from the players with regards to their skill sets, the better you can fit your pieces together on the pitch.

Management was a big thing for me, in terms of how I want to go about getting them to buy in and getting the most out of them. For me, it's important that each guy on the team feels as though he's adding something to our team. There are a lot of coaches who have their starting 11 and that's it - they really work their 11 and everybody else is on the perimeter. For me, every guy has to be invested, and feel as though they play a role in our success as a team. Once you establish that, then you get the ultimate buy in, so for me, I concentrate on how I work with each player and make sure they feel that way. You can't make everybody happy. Guys want to play and they don't always play, but it's always about making each and every guy emotionally invested in the project and that they feel as though they have value to the club and our success.

4. Ethan Finlay awaits next shot with national team

By Tom Reed Columbus Dispatch - September 1, 2016

Five months ago, Ethan Finlay heard the American Outlaws cheering his name during a World Cup qualifier in Mapfre Stadium. As four Crew SC teammates departed for international duties this week, he remained in Columbus rebuilding his game and looking forward to the next call from U.S. national coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

For a player who's literally wrapped in the stars and stripes in his Twitter avatar, the Crew winger desperately wants another chance to represent his country. If the past few months are an indication, Finlay won't grow discouraged over his recent exclusions from the American side, which plays Friday against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

He has rebounded from a difficult start -- the 2015 MLS All-Star was benched for three straight games, -- to score four times in his past four games with the Crew. His inspired play has helped the club to a 2-1-1 stretch that's kept Columbus in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.

Finlay's resilience has not gone unnoticed.

"What I've seen from Ethan lately is he never gives up, which is a great quality to have," Fox Soccer analyst and former national team forward Eric Wynalda told The Dispatch's Soccer Speakeasy podcast Wednesday. "He also has that extra gear in moments that matter. That's the kind of stuff you look for."

Adversity reveals character, and that's arguably been Finlay's best attribute this season. He managed just one goal and six assists in the first five months after registering 23 goals and 20 helpers over the previous two years. Finlay might have lost some confidence but never misplaced the desire to work his way out of the worst funk of his five-year career.

He spent more time in the film room and on the practice field even as his minutes were reduced in July. Given another chance, he validated coach Gregg Berhalter's faith in him. Finlay produced game-winners in recent wins over New England and San Jose.

"You have to take ownership of (expectations)," Finlay said. "I think it gave me good perspective to be able to persevere and keep going through it. ... I still think there's a chance for myself and the team to do something special down the road."

His recent form should give him a shot to return to the national team in October, when it plays a pair of exhibitions against Cuba and New Zealand. Wynalda says the Crew veteran can be as valuable to the Americans as Alejandro Bedoya, who recently returned home to play his club soccer for the Philadelphia Union.

Finlay has three national-team appearances, registering one assist. He had a goal nullified on an offside call in America's 4-0 win over Guatemala in Columbus on March 30 during a World Cup qualifier.

"Having the goal called back has made me hungry to put that jersey on again," he said. "In a way I feel I have unfinished business."

Finlay should be entering his prime in two years, when a national team very much in transition makes a run at the World Cup, assuming it qualifies. The good news for Crew fans is his inclusion probably would portend lots of goals and wins for the club team.

"Those spots are earned, and I look at it from a personal standpoint and say I probably didn't do enough to earn a spot this (time around)," he said. "But I'm building a case for friendlies in October and qualifiers in November. ... It always gives you a little outside motivation.

"We've just got to keep it going here. That other stuff will come."

5. Pedro Ribeiro inching closer to return after back surgery

By Alicia DelGallo Orlando Sentinel - August 31, 2016

A loud thud, a strike that made those watching on the sideline pay attention. The shot hurtled into the net like a discharged cannonball as Orlando City's reserves scrimmaged Monday.

That sound had been missing from the training field for quite some time - the sound of Pedro Ribeiro taking a shot on goal.

"The power is one thing, but I think what he has is unbelievable technique," said Lions assistant coach Bobby Murphy, who also served as interim head coach before Jason Kreis was hired. "For being a guy as big as he is, he can strike the ball really well passing or shooting. He had a shot in the Chicago game earlier this year that hit the post from 30 yards out. He's one of our most natural finishers in front of goal."

Power and technique bundled in the 6-foot-4, 208-pound frame of a 26 year old from Brazil.

The versatile attacker can play in any midfield position and also relieve Cyle Larin at striker when needed. He was selected by Orlando City in the fourth round of the 2014 expansion draft. He'd played in nine game with just three starts and 351 minutes for the Philadelphia Union that year, but he took three shots on goal and two of them went in.

He doubled his playing time in his first year with Orlando, seeing time in 18 games and starting eight. He also scored two goals, had two assists and was named to the MLS Team of the Week once.

After a successful preseason, he started and played a full 90 minutes in the Lions' 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake to open the 2016 season. He then subbed on the next two matches.

Then, injury struck, and not just a small knock or a muscle strain like the one that kept him out for weeks last season - it was serious.

His future in soccer didn't even enter his mind when he heard the words, "back surgery."

"I was thinking about my health and future, 'cause it's something that if the surgery is not done right and something happens, I could pretty much not walk again," Ribeiro said. "So, I was worried about my future first and my family. Obviously, them being away, they were all freaking out in Brazil."

Ribeiro had a herniated disc pressing on his sciatic nerve, which sent excruciating pain from his lower back all the way down his right leg.

That was in April. The surgery - cutting off the part of the disc that was pressing on the nerve - was a success, and then Ribeiro started what he described as the worst five months of his career.

It took small steps and many months of continued rehabilitation to get to where he is now, participating in a scrimmage after the Lion's 2-1 victory against New York City FC last weekend.

His family - mom, dad and brother - visited in July. That was a turning point in his recovery, he said, and gave him the strength to press on despite feeling frustrated at not being able to contribute while the team was on a downward spiral and traversing a coaching change.

"It's been tough, but I learned a lot being outside and watching the new coaching staff that came in, and now I know what they want and what they expect from me," Ribeiro said. "If I'm able to contribute in any way this season still - we're still fighting for a playoff spot - . . . I'm willing to help.

"Going day by day, it's tough with the back. Some days I feel great, some days I'm a little sore here and there, but I'd say maybe in 10 days I'll probably be playing with OCB."

Ribeiro may be back on the training field, but precautions still are being taken - he is training with no contact. That's the next step. He's working with athletic trainer Dave McKay, he said, on getting tackled and knocked off balance.

"He's been really diligent about doing his recovery and rehab work, it's pretty amazing to see how quickly he's going," Murphy said. "It seems just a couple weeks ago he was walking really stiffly and now he's out playing and doing really well. He deserves a lot of credit for how far he's come."

Butterflies, jitters, whatever you call them, Ribeiro has them as he gets closer and closer to match fitness. His goal is to be back in Orlando City's lineup, fighting for a spot in the midfield before the end of the season.

"I feel like a kid that's playing in my first professional game again," Ribeiro said. "It's been so long, and I'm really excited to be back on the field."

6. Portland Timbers still searching for first road win as they head to FC Dallas

By Jamie Goldberg The Oregonian - September 1, 2016

The Portland Timbers put together their best first half performance of 2016 last week en route to a critical and decisive 4-2 victory over rival Seattle Sounders.

Now, the Timbers have the challenge of trying to carry momentum from that victory on the road.

Portland (9-10-8, 35 points) has yet to post back-to-back wins this season and has not won a game on the road in 13 attempts this year. Finally finding that road victory won't be easy Saturday as Portland travels to face first-place FC Dallas (15-7-6, 48 points), who has not lost a game at home this season.

"Ultimately, every game on the road has been different, but I think just in general can we play more consistent home and away - Timbers coach Caleb Porter said. "Can we - from here on out - just have more of a set way of playing home and away -

While the Timbers have been a dominant home team in recent weeks, winning three of their last four games at Providence Park and scoring three or more goals in each victory, Portland has struggled on the road. The Timbers have lost three-straight games away from home and have scored just one goal over their last five road games.

Earning back-to-back wins has also been a struggle for the Timbers this season due in part to a slew of injuries and a handful of national team call-ups throughout the year that have prevented Portland from having consistency in its lineup game-to-game.

And the Timbers will be dealing with that same issue Saturday.

Due to national team call-ups, Portland will be without Darlington Nagbe, Alvas Powell and Jermaine Taylor, while Dallas will be missing Kellyn Acosta, Tesho Akindele, Aubrey David, Maynor Figueroa and Carlos Gruezo.

"We can't play the same lineup again," Porter said. "That would be nice. I'm looking forward to the day where I can play the same group two games in a row after we've won a game and had a good performance."

While overcoming the national team call-ups will be a challenge for Portland, both teams will be dealing with key absences and relying on their depth Saturday.

That could actually be a benefit for the Timbers, who have been forced to rely on their depth for much of the season as they've dealt with injuries.

"We're confident," Timbers midfielder Diego Chara said. "In this part of the season, we've always played well. We're confident in our style and our team."

In each of the last two seasons, the Timbers have played their best soccer in the final stretch of the year when they were fighting for a playoff spot.

In 2015, Portland earned 13 points in its final seven games of the season to finish third in the Western Conference before going on to win the 2015 MLS Cup. In 2014, the Timbers picked up 14 points in their final seven games, but missed playoffs by one point.

Portland's performance in the final seven games will once again determine whether the Timbers earn a berth in the postseason this year. The Timbers currently sit in sixth place in the Western Conference standings, just three points above the red line.

Knowing that they've historically done well at the end of the year in games that have counted most is certainly giving the Timbers confidence as they head on the road to FC Dallas.

But they'll have to turn that confidence into results in the final stretch of the season.

"Over the past few years, we've been one of the best teams during this part of the year," Timbers midfielder Jack Jewsbury said. "That's because we've been able to string positive performances together. That's what's going to be needed. We're going to have to do it on the road."

7. Remainder of Aaron Maund's 2016 season still to be determined

By Christopher Kamrani Salt Lake Tribune - August 31, 2016

In the hours after Real Salt Lake returned the Rocky Mountain Cup to Rio Tinto Stadium, its best defender this season posted a photo on his Twitter account. A smiling Aaron Maund, flanked by his parents, held the Cup in his left hand. But the photo was not taken on the field, where in 2016, Maund's continued rise at center back has coincided with RSL's return to the playoff picture.

It was in the stands.

The 25-year-old defender once again was forced to look on as RSL topped rival Colorado 2-1 last Friday night in Sandy, and it's a view he may have to get used to for a while. Maund, who suffered a toe fracture in the days after RSL's 1-0 loss at Toronto on Aug. 3, has missed the last four matches due to the injury.

But the looming question remains: Will Maund be able to return to the field this season?

"That's still a little to be determined," RSL general manager Craig Waibel said.

Maund suffered a fractured sesamoid in his right foot, a small bone located on the underside of the foot. One of the recovery timelines RSL received, Waibel said, was possibly at the conclusion of the regular season, which ends Oct. 23 at Seattle.

"We've also been told that [the RSL medical staff] wants to reevaluate the injury," Waibel said. "They took a really good look at it and want to reevaluate it in about a week-and-a-half or two weeks and just see where the process is on the recovery."

Though not similar injuries, Waibel equated the potential timeline for Maund's recovery to that of L.A. Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes who will miss the rest of the regular season with a fractured fifth metatarsal in his right foot suffered over the weekend.

Maund has been in a walking boot the last few weeks while he and the club decide on the next course of action. Last week, RSL coach Jeff Cassar told reporters that they still were weighing the option of whether or not to have the fracture surgically repaired.

"It's kind of a wait-and-see injury," Waibel said. "There's some that are like this."

Once buried on the RSL depth chart early in his career, Maund started a career-high 21 matches in 2015. The Notre Dame product kept his job through the offseason and into the CONCACAF Champions League round against Tigres UANL in February. Maund started 20 of RSL's first 23 league matches this season, not to mention four goal-line clearances in 2016.

Less than a week after Maund's injury, RSL re-signed Chris Schuler to the first team after Schuler overcame his latest bout with foot and knee surgeries from 2015. Veteran Jamison Olave since has replaced Maund in the RSL starting lineup alongside 19-year-old Justen Glad.

8. John McCarthy will start in goal for Union vs. Fire

By Marc Narducci Philadelphia Inquirer - August 31, 2016

There will be no suspense until game day.

Union coach Jim Curtin said Wednesday at his news conference that John McCarthy would start in goal Saturday in the team's Major League Soccer game against the host Chicago Fire.

Matt Jones, who just returned from a knee injury, will be the reserve.

The Union's starting goalkeeper, Andre Blake, will miss his second game of the season while he plays for Jamaica in World Cup qualifiers.

"He is a guy I trust a great deal," Curtin said of McCarthy, a product of North Catholic High and La Salle University. "He is a winner and won us big games last year and I expect him to do the same in Chicago."

McCarthy played in a U.S. Open Cup game this year, a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg Islanders, and he appeared in the first half of a friendly against Crystal Palace of the English Premier League.

Last year, he appeared in five U.S. Open Cup games and 11 MLS contests. In MLS action, he was 3-5-3 with a 1.64 goals against average.

Jones started the previous game in goal when Blake was gone, but he has been training for only about a week. On Tuesday, Jones played for the Union's United Soccer League affiliate, the Bethlehem Steel.

"Even [playing] in the game last night was a little bit rushed, but it also was an effort to get [Jones] minutes and prove he could be available to be a backup," Curtin said.

Also on the injury front, designated player Maurice Edu, a midfielder who has been out all season with a stress fracture in his left leg, will go though testing on Thursday. If Edu gets favorable results, Curtin said he could play this weekend for the Steel.

According to Curtin, midfielders Ilsinho and Brian Carroll, who have missed time with foot injuries, "are on track to be up for selection," Saturday.

Carroll has been out since Aug. 6. Ilsinho has been sidelined the last two games.

The Union (11-9-7) are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, where the top six make the playoffs. Chicago (5-12-8, 23 points) has the lowest point total in MLS.

9. Red Bulls pitch in for 2 mini soccer fields in Hoboken

By Steve Strunsky NJ.com - August 31, 2016

HOBOKEN - Space under the 14th Street viaduct that was once a no-man's land now has a pair of small soccer fields for the general public and youth programs.

Hoboken and county officials teamed up with the U.S. Soccer Foundation and the New York Red Bulls to create the 2 "mini-pitch" play areas.

Officials held a "first kick" ceremony Tuesday on the mini-pitches, located on Hudson County property between Jefferson and Adams streets.

The mini-pitches are open to the public for pickup games on a first-come, first-served basis from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except when organized games are scheduled, Mayor Dawn Zimmer announced.

Southwest Park, at Observer Highway and Jackson Street, is intended to provide open space and drainage in a flood prone corner of the city transitioning from industrial to residential use

The Red Bulls, who play in Harrison, paid the several thousand dollars for the development of the mini-pitches, which are painted in the team's red and blue colors and logo.

Red Bulls players Aurélien Collin and Felipe, plus team general manager Marc de Grandpre and MSG analyst Shep Messing, joined Zimmer and County Executive Tom DeGise for the ceremony.

A $200,000 U.S. Soccer Foundation grant in 2013 paid for development of a full-sized artificial turf field in Hoboken, at 16th Street between Willow and Park avenues.

Mini-soccer, or microfutbol, is a condensed form of the game popular in urban areas and for indoor play. Futsal is the organized version of the indoor mini-game.

Zimmer thanked the team, the foundation and the county, and in statement she said, "these soccer pitches are the latest new recreation facilities in our city and will support over 1,000 children in our soccer programs and our active adult community."

10. Canadian men face crucial week in World Cup qualifiers

By Matthew Cullen CBC.ca - August 31, 2016

Four years ago Canada's World Cup dreams evaporated in a devastating 8-1 loss under the Honduran sun.

The coming six days presents the Canadian men's national soccer team a chance at revenge.

On the heels of the Canadian women's captivating bronze-medal performance at the Rio Olympics, the men have a chance to continue Canada's success on the pitch by taking another step toward qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Canada has two matches left in Round 4 of qualification, starting at Estadio Olimpico in Honduras on Friday. Four days later, Canada plays its final Group A match against El Salvador at B.C. Place in Vancouver on .

Race to 'the Hex'

Situated in Group A along with Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras, Canada is in third place with four points after a win, a draw and two losses.

The top two teams in the group advance to the final round of qualification, commonly referred to as the Hexagonal Round, or just simply "the Hex."

Honduras (1-1-2) has an identical record to Canada's, but has a better goal differential (+3), giving the small Central American nation the edge for second position in the group.

"It's probably the biggest game since the last time we said this four years ago against Honduras so it's massive and it's just about getting the three points," defender/midfielder David Edgar said from Orlando, where the team is conducting its training camp.

"It's going to be quite similar to the last time we played them because that second spot's still up for grabs for both teams. It's going to be a vicious atmosphere but we're used to it in places like Panama and Honduras. It's just about getting our heads down and getting on with it."

A loss against Honduras wouldn't mathematically eliminate the Canadians, but it would put the squad in a very difficult position heading into the final day of Group 4 qualification.

Searching for only its second World Cup berth - the only appearance was in 1986 in Mexico - a win in Honduras would allow Canada to control its own destiny ahead of its final Round 4 qualification game against last-place El Salvador (0-2-2) on Sept. 6.

"It's a special game because it is an official game and it is very important for both teams towards the qualification," manager Benito Floro said in a conference call on Wednesday. "But this is a game of soccer. There are two teams, a ball, a referee and a tactical plan. The matter is to understand perfectly what to do."

No shortage of history

Undefeated Mexico (4-0-0) has already locked up top spot in Group A and El Salvador basically out of contention, Canada and Honduras are scrapping for the coveted second spot.

Canada has no shortage of history in World Cup qualification against Honduras, most of it bad. In the past two World Cup qualifications, Canada has twice been eliminated from contention in Honduras - a 3-1 loss in 2008 and the 8-1 collapse in 2012 when a draw would have secured a spot in the Hex.

The drubbing prompted some major changes for the organization. Manager Stephen Hart resigned and Floro was brought in to replace him.

Floro has implemented new systems and with the help of new players such as Cyle Larin and Scott Arfield, Canada is back in the same position it found itself in four years ago. While the team boasts two players in midfielder Atiba Hutchinson and goalkeeper Milan Borjan who will compete in the upcoming UEFA Champions League, Canada will be without the services of injured captain Julian de Guzman.

Setback against Mexico

Canada got off to a good start in Round 4 with a 1-0 win over Honduras on Nov. 13, 2015 in Vancouver and followed it up with a 0-0 draw on the road against El Salvador four days later. But two losses to Mexico - 3-0 on March 25 and 2-0 four days later - saw Canada drop in the group.

If Canada were to advance to the Hex, it would play a round-robin home-and-away series against Mexico and the other top two teams from Groups B and C (six teams total). The top three teams in the Hex automatically qualify for Russia 2018 while the fourth-place team would need to play a head-to-head playoff series with an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) nation for a final chance to qualify.

11. 'Difference-maker' Sacha Kljestan ready to seize latest U.S. team chance

By Jeff Carlisle ESPNFC.com - August 31, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Sacha Kljestan thought his first U.S. national team call-up in more than two years was a prank.

It was around 11 p.m. Sunday night when Kljestan received a text from U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann giving him the news he had long waited for. In that moment, the New York Red Bulls midfielder didn't recognize the number, and his troll deflector shield immediately went up.

"It was a 949 phone number, which is where my brother lives and close to where I grew up, so I thought it was maybe one of my friends that was having a joke with me," he told reporters prior to Tuesday's training session with the U.S. national team. "I didn't really want to text back like I was excited, [which] I was, so I just wrote, 'Please call me.' [Klinsmann] called me a few minutes later, and we talked for a few minutes, and I told my wife and she didn't really believe it either. I'm here now. It's pretty exciting."

Kljestan's wait has certainly been well-documented -- and excruciating -- for a player who first made his U.S. debut in 2007. He most recently appeared for the U.S. in a 2-0 loss to Ukraine on March 5, 2014, in a match that was moved to Larnaca, Cyprus. Kljestan's fading international prospects were made even tougher to swallow as he moved to Belgian side Anderlecht, won league titles and played in the UEFA Champions League.

He returned to MLS in 2015 with the New York Red Bulls and put together an impressive season as the side won the Supporters' Shield. His stellar form has continued into this season, as he has tallied five goals and a league-leading 15 assists.

None of that was good enough for Klinsmann. Although Kljestan was called up with a fair bit of regularity in 2012 and 2013, he essentially fell off the international map thereafter. In a recent interview with ESPN FC, Kljestan called the snub "a small mystery." Consider it now a mystery solved, mostly.

"The reason Sacha is back in this group is he deserves it," Klinsmann said in an exclusive interview. "He's a difference-maker at [the Red Bulls], and he's more mature. He seems very driven."

Klinsmann insisted that he has been watching Kljestan over the years and said that he considered him for Copa America, though the New York attacker didn't make the 40-man provisional roster. The U.S. manager noted that players such as Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones and Kyle Beckerman created something of a logjam in the center of midfield. But as Klinsmann explained this thinking, it became clear that the difference-maker tag -- however he defines it -- has been the dividing line for whether Kljestan gets called in.

"We always ask national team players to be a difference-maker," Klinsmann said. "Whatever position you play, you've got to be different to whatever the other players out there in your league and your club that play your position. That needs to be there. There's always a special piece to a player that becomes a national team player.

"So if you play a No 8 or a No. 10 now -- he plays more a No. 10 at Red Bulls -- then I need killer passes, I need you to get in the box, I need you to be decisive on set pieces, certain things that make a difference. That's what Kljestan is doing. When he was three, four years with us, he struggled to do that for whatever reason. Now there's another opportunity."

Kljestan understands full well why this chance has come about. Jones is out because of a lingering knee problem that includes an LCL strain, and Bradley is suspended for Friday's World Cup qualifier against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Kljestan's experience is such that the circumstances don't bother him in the least. He knows that his smarts and ability mean there is a real chance that he'll see the field against the Vincy Heat or, failing that, against Trinidad & Tobago four days later.

"I think it's up to me in the next couple of days in practice to prove that I'm ready for that level again," he said. "But yeah, I've been asked this question a million times over the last couple of years, and I said, 'If I get a chance, I'll be ready.' If I get a chance to play in either of the games, I know I'll be ready, and I know I'll help the team."

Klinsmann certainly sounds like a believer, even though it's been a long time coming for Kljestan.

"It's great to have [Kljestan] back, and without putting pressure on Sacha, it's an opportunity for him now to prove a point," he said. "He doesn't have to prove that point in these eight days. It's not that I want to see miracles from you. I just want you to take the initiative."

Consider that a message received.

12. Bobby Wood, Jozy Altidore rapport could benefit Dempsey-less U.S.

By Jeff Carlisle ESPNFC.com - August 31, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Forward partnerships are typically formed on the practice field. Preferences, from a player's favored foot to the runs he likes to make, are noted. Repetition and time are then needed for such knowledge to take hold, though the infrequency of national team matches can make this difficult at international level.

In the case of Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood, there was work off the field as well.

When Wood was first getting called into the U.S. national team on a consistent basis, he endured some inevitable ups and downs. It was Altidore who reached out to offer emotional support.

"[Altidore] was one of the guys who was always there for me," said Wood prior to Tuesday's practice session. "He always wrote to me after games to tell me what I could do to try to improve. I'll always have respect for him. [That help] is always great. I can't complain."

Altidore has a deep reservoir of advice from which to draw, of course, having ridden the roller coaster that is endemic to the life of a forward. He has endured injuries and drops in form, as well as criticism from coaches and media. He sees in Wood a forward whose career is about to reach escape velocity.

"Bobby is a guy who is just well-rounded," Altidore told reporters on Tuesday. "I think his work rate is fantastic, he's a little bit of a pit bull. He makes it uncomfortable for defenses. It was rough on him in the beginning. I think people were a little harsh on him but now I think you see him starting to grow. He's getting more confident, and he's got a great transfer now at Hamburg, and you see around the group he's just brighter, happier. He's improved a lot and he's going to continue to improve."

Ahead of two World Cup qualifiers -- one in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, followed by a home match against Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 6 -- it seems likely the U.S. will rely on Wood and Altidore at some point over the next week. The absence of Clint Dempsey due to an irregular heartbeat will force something of a rethink in terms of the U.S. attack, a situation compounded by the suspension of Michael Bradley for Friday's game and an ongoing knee injury for Jermaine Jones.

Altidore insisted not much would change -- "Trying to be effective, trying to be dangerous," -- but U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann admitted that he has a bit more planning to do than he normally would if Dempsey was available. He noted that Dempsey's habit of dropping back into midfield left Wood to remain high, occupying the center-backs. When the ball was lost the roles were reversed, with Wood the one to help out defensively. Now the U.S. will have to compensate for that loss in familiarity.

"You put your puzzle together, and it's always important what key elements you have and [Dempsey] has been a key element for us over the last years, over the last 10 years," Klinsmann told ESPN FC. "Then once he's not on the field, you put it together differently. You have a different approach then."

Then he added, "I think we have built some players over the last couple of years and they are ready to step in and get the job done."

Wood is foremost among those, having struggled at 1860 Munich only to break out last year at Union Berlin.

"I think Bobby is an example of a lot of work," said Klinsmann, referring to both player and coach. "Two years ago people said 'Why is he playing that kid? He hasn't played any minutes at 1860 Munich.' Well, if you tell the German national team coach to pull a kid from the second division that isn't even on the bench, they would call you crazy. But our pool of players is just completely different to any team in Europe or South America. We don't have the luxury just to pick the players from Champions League teams."

Now Wood's aforementioned transfer to Hamburg looks promising, especially after he scored on his Bundesliga debut in a 1-1 draw with Freiburg. "It was a really proud moment and something I worked hard for," he said.

Altidore is only just back into the frame after recovering from his latest hamstring injury. When reminded of this he said, "Let's knock on wood somewhere," pun not intended.

"I think now we've pinpointed it," said Altidore about the cause of his hamstring injuries. "The national team has been a really big help for me in that. Hopefully I can stay healthy and if I stay healthy, with my ability, I know I can help the team."

In total, Altidore and Wood have been on the field together in 10 U.S. matches, including the 6-1 win over the Vincy Heat in November, a game in which both players scored. For that reason Wood is confident that he and Altidore will link up well.

"We'll figure it out," he said. "He's a great player and it's not going to be a problem playing with two strikers or whatever we do. We'll just have to come in and adapt and do whatever we can to help the team."

And each other.

13. USMNT should be fine without Clint Dempsey, thanks to red-hot Jozy Altidore, Bobby Wood

By Caitlin Murray FOXSports.com - September 1, 2016

Even just a few months ago, the striker position looked like a pretty big problem for the U.S. men's national team.

The USMNT's best goal-scorer by far was an aging Clint Dempsey, who looked to be approaching the tail-end of his career. Jozy Altidore, long the USMNT's best hope for the future, was injured and in poor form. Bobby Wood was so far from an established prospect that many people didn't understand why coach Jurgen Klinsmann called him in at all. There just weren't many options.

How quickly things can change. Dempsey has been unexpectedly sidelined and that probably would've thrown the USMNT into a mini-crisis in the past -- but not now. Both Altidore and Wood have been surging. Altidore has scored in four of his last five matches for Toronto FC, while Wood turned a great season for Union Berlin into a Bundesliga move and scored in his first match for Hamburg last week.

Now, for the first time in a good while, the U.S. men's national team has two in-form strikers who look like they just might be able to deliver when the USMNT really needs it.

The semifinal round of 2018 World Cup qualifying will start wrapping up on Friday against St. Vincent & the Grenadines and it's a good bet we will see Altidore and Wood starting together. But with a new pair of strikers who are not only the USMNT's best options, but perhaps the only good options right now, the question Klinsmann must answer is clear: Can Altidore and Wood complement each other and establish themselves as a striker tandem?

It's a question that Klinsmann had to address sooner or later with 33-year-old Dempsey fighting against time. Dempsey's unexpected heart condition has forced the issue, but Altidore and Wood have been playing well enough that it would've been tough for Klinsmann to ignore. It's an interesting question though because Altidore and Wood would provide a much different partnership than either one of them with Dempsey -- and it could change the look of the USMNT.

Both Altidore and Wood are "No. 9" target strikers who play very similar styles and occupy the same space on the field. What Altidore has been doing for Toronto FC -- five goals and an assist since returning from another hamstring injury -- is a lot like what Wood did for the USMNT in Copa America and when he scored in his first Bundesliga match last week. Neither of them are like Dempsey, who has seemingly gotten the most out of both players.

While Dempsey roams freely as a second striker -- dropping into the midfield or drifting to the flanks to start combination plays -- both Altidore and Wood tend to stay high up the field and look to get in behind back lines. Both are excellent with their backs to goal and at holding up the play, but that's also why the marauding Dempsey provided a good outlet for them. Altidore and Wood serve as the direct outlet up the field and stretch opposing back lines, creating space for a second striker like Dempsey to follow through.

But the creativity and unpredictability of Dempsey aren't exactly hallmarks of the physical style that Altidore and Wood have built their resumes on, even as Altidore in particular has rounded out his game as he turns into a more seasoned veteran. That creates an interesting dynamic for Klinsmann to work with since Altidore and Wood are so clearly the best options on the table, and the USMNT thrives in a 4-4-2 with two strikers up top.

That's not to say there aren't other options available. Jordan Morris, for all the criticism about his lack of a left foot, is enjoying a strong rookie season with the Seattle Sounders. Rubio Rubin is still just 20 years old, but shows promise. Once Gyasi Zardes returns from a broken foot, he could earn some consideration for a central striker role, even if that's not where Klinsmann has typically played him. The USMNT, after months of legitimate concerns about the lack of consistently solid striker options, has a crop of young talent that can give even the most cynical fans cause for optimism.

That, in and of itself, is a positive turn for the USMNT. The American striker ranks have been a revolving door over the years and it's futile to try to project what the striker force will look like a year from now. But right now, with two very important World Cup qualifiers ahead to finish the round before the hexagonal, the USMNT attack looks good, which often hasn't been the case.

The last time Altidore and Wood took the field together was last year, but neither were enjoying the sort of form they are now and that didn't help them get the best out of each other. At the time, Klinsmann still seemed to be tinkering, making frequent substitutions and rotating the strikers with other options, like Zardes and Morris. He seemed to be in search of the most dynamic duo, and he may have found one at Copa America with Dempsey and Wood, but it wasn't one built to last.

There are concerns about Altidore's health, but he claims he has seen a specialist who identified the reason for his hamstring issues and he's on a roll. Meanwhile, Wood is just getting going in the Bundesliga. We don't know Dempsey's status or if he'll be back and we don't know if players like Aron Johannsson will be able to stay healthy. We have no idea what the future will hold -- but that's no different than usual, especially with the USMNT. You can never really predict the future, only the now -- just look at Altidore and Wood, who were once the subject of derision and now have the Americans optimistic about their attacking firepower for the first time in way too long.

14. LA Galaxy buy ad in Irish Times to congratulate Robbie Keane on retirement

By Alex Dowd FOXSports.com - August 31, 2016

Robbie Keane's 18-year international career with the Republic of Ireland will come to a close Wednesday in a friendly against Oman. With the book closing on an era, Keane's club team, LA Galaxy, took out an ad to pay tribute to the legend in the Irish Times.

It's not a full-pager, but hey, there's actually some other big news going on across the pond. Anyway, the ad reads:

"Congratulations Keano! The LA Galaxy would like to congratulate Robbie Keane for all of his accomplishments in his remarkable 18-year career with the Republic of Ireland."

The Irishman joined the Galaxy in 2011, winning three MLS Cups and taking hold of the captain's armband in 2013. He also sports the skipper armband for his country.

Keane, who turned 36 in July, hangs up his boots as Ireland's all-time leader in goals scored with with 67 and appearances with 145. Of course, he has one last chance to pad those numbers in Wednesday's friendly. Something tells us he'll be up for it.

15. Could Jordan Morris Join MLS Elite?

By Nick Vitalis Fansided.com - August 31, 2016

Could our hometown hero become a nationwide sensation?

There's no doubt about it: this has been a difficult season. We've scraped the low end of the Western Conference, and twice went nearly an entire month between wins. We lost Oba before it started (my heart will go on...barely), but for those dedicated fans still tuning in, there has been one bright spot: Jordan Morris.

After contract talks in January of this year, Werder Bremen of the Bundesliga failed to sign Morris, and the Sounders shortly after signed him. With dearly departed Oba leaving soon after that announcement, Morris' expected role went from supporting Oba and Clint Dempsey to full-fledged starting striker alongside Dempsey, to now being the top of the attack in the new 4-2-3-1 formation. Looking forward, could we see Morris jump from being merely a great forward for us to one of the elite goal-scorers in MLS?

"I have a big chance to score a goal ... then I don't finish my chances and we come out with a loss." He's shown the capability to take on an entire team, like last weekend against Portland. He received a pass in the defensive third before darting across the field and breaking a double-team (pictured above). We've always known about the stallion-like pace. With Nicolás Lodiero now able to drop perfectly weighted passes at his toes, his sheer speed goes from scary to nightmarish for opposing backlines. He's debatably a scarier threat than Dempsey nowadays.

He's leading the Sounders with 9 goals. And yet, we can't help feeling like he ought to have scored more.

Why Hasn't He?

Part of it seems to be his reluctance to shoot, probably out of nervousness. He also takes missed opportunities and losses very personally. In an interview with FOX Soccer, Morris said, "It's the same kind of story all year: I have a big chance to score a goal ... then I don't finish my chances and we come out with a loss, so it's frustrating."

It is a good thing to see Morris taking on that much responsibility for the teams success. It shows maturity as a player and leader, something good to see at such a young age. However, when you put that much pressure on yourself, you'll be more likely to pass the ball instead of pulling the trigger. You also will be more likely to misfire when you do shoot. You lose your focus on the moment.

Additionally, what I got out of it is that he is being too hard on himself.

To see if I was right, I compared Morris' numbers with the three leading scorers in MLS. Those men would be Sebastian Giovinco, David Villa, and Bradley Wright-Phillips, each with 16 goals. The particular statistics I used, respectively are SH%, the percent of shots converted for goals, and SOG%, the percent of shots that were on goal. I used shooting statistics for this season only, and also included their goal totals. I threw in Dempsey also, just for comparisons sake.

Giovinco: .098/.333/16

Villa: .122/.419/16

Wright-Phillips: .208/.506/16

Morris: .153/.491/9

Dempsey: .123/.338/8

Looking at the data, a couple things are apparent. First, you can see that Morris is shooting with more accuracy and efficiency than all but Wright-Phillips. His SOG% is


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