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October 10, 2016 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

1. Kellyn Acosta added to US roster for New Zealand friendly

By Buzz Carrick Dallas Morning News - October 9, 2016

FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta is joined the U.S. Men's National Team in Washington, D.C. this weekend as the team prepared to face New Zealand at RFK Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The 21-year-old was one of six players added to the roster after the team's 2-0 win against Cuba on Friday, including Juan Agudelo, Matt Belser, Terrence Boyd, Bill Hamid, Tim Parker and Michael Orozco.

Acosta will rejoin FC Dallas following Tuesday's friendly. FC Dallas returns to league play on Sunday, Oct. 16, when they host Seattle Sounders FC at Toyota Stadium on Fan Appreciation Day presented by Papa John's. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.

2. Orlando City backup goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. ready to play

By Christian Simmons Orlando Sentinel - October 9, 2016

As the 2016 season winds down, starting goalkeeper Joe Bendik has guarded Orlando City's goal every game this year. But Earl Edwards Jr., the Lions' backup goalkeeper, is ready for a chance to play.

"I think anyone that's been in my position is ... definitely anxious to try to get a game in, and I hope I can in the last two games. And I think that it comes with the territory of being a young goalkeeper and it's something I expected," Edwards said. "It's not something I'm gonna sit back and accept that I haven't gotten games but ... I was prepared for it and my mentality's strong and I'll be ready when I get my shot."

Edwards, who was drafted by Orlando City in the third round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, has still not had a chance to play for the team in an MLS match. However, he has still gained plenty of experience early in his career, playing in friendlies, U.S. Open Cup matches and with Orlando City B.

"Those are great experiences," Edwards said. "Hopefully I can get more of them next year, if not more MLS games next year, but I think those are great experiences and I'm glad that they're options that I've had the last two years."

Edwards has also taken advantage of the chance to train with several veteran goalkeepers. Last season, he backed up Donovan Ricketts and Tally Hall and has been the primary backup to Bendik this year.

"Ricketts and Tally had their different strengths and Joe has his strengths as well, so I try to pick up the best from all of them and learn as much as I can," Edwards said. "I think as a young keeper, it's the best thing you [can] do is learn from older guys that are ahead of you and try to add it to your game. So I think I've done that this year and Joe had a lot to offer and I've learned a lot from him throughout the year."

While Edwards, who is 24, is still relatively early into his soccer career, he is hopeful that he will get a chance to play in an MLS match soon. The Lions, who are now eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Montreal Impact on Saturday, still have a couple of games remaining on their schedule, potentially providing opportunities for Edwards.

"It depends on what the coaching staff's thinking and what they want to do going forward, but I hope [I can play] and, like I said, I'll be ready when I get my chance," he said. "I feel like I'm continuing to develop and the more I can get games, the better, and I'm hoping I can take everything I've learned the last two years into the next season and show what I can do."

3. MCL tear ends season for Orlando City defender David Mateos

By Alicia DelGallo Orlando Sentinel - October 9, 2016

Orlando City defender David Mateos will be out four to six weeks with a Grade 2 MCL injury.

Mateos suffered the partial tear during the Lions' 1-0 loss to Montreal last week. He went down in the second half clutching his right knee and came off the pitch. He rejoined the game moments later, but went down again before he was subbed off in the 52nd minute.

The season is now over for Mateos, who will be forced to miss the Lions' final two matches against Philadelphia and D.C. United. How it affects his offseason training and bid for a spot on next year's roster remains to be seen.

The 29-year-old from Madrid closed out the year as a regular starter with a total of 20 starts in the 21 matches he played for 1,759 minutes. He missed multiple matches at the start of the season after pulling a hamstring in training. Positive performances by Tommy Redding and Seb Hines during that time left Mateos sidelines, fighting to regain a spot in the starting XI.

In recent weeks, Orlando City coach Jason Kreis favored Mateos and centerback Jose Aja over Redding and Hines. Mateos started in six of the last seven games. The one he missed was due a suspension from yellow card accumulation.

4. Ricketts rockets up career list in Canada's win

By Kurt Larson Toronto Sun - October 7, 2016

The post-Benito Floro era is off to a solid start as Canada's men's soccer team upended Mauritania 4-0 in Marrakech, Morocco, on Thursday night.

It was Canada's first action under interim head coach Michael Findlay, who assumed Floro's role after the Spaniard's contract wasn't renewed last month.

After surviving a first half in which goalkeeper Simon Thomas denied a penalty kick, Canada broke out after the break to blow the exhibition wide open. Les Rouges found an opener in the 52nd minute when Tosaint Ricketts finished off a low cross from Junior Hoilett.

Minutes later, Canadian defender Steven Vitoria doubled the advantage when he rose to meet a corner in the 55th.

Marcus Haber made it 3-0 in the 58th minute before Ricketts bagged his second in the 80th minute, driving a half-volley side-netting to complete the scoring.

Ricketts' 14th international goal moved him to sixth on Canada's career scoring list, one behind Ali Gerba and two behind Alex Bunbury.

Canada meets Morocco next Tuesday as it continues to pick up the pieces left over from another World Cup qualifying cycle gone awry.

5. McDonough's experience invaluable for Atlanta United

By Doug Roberson Atlanta Journal-Constitution - October 10, 2016

Paul McDonough brings the unique experience to Atlanta United as director of soccer operations of having already gone through taking one club into Major League Soccer when he was at Orlando City, where he was general manager.

Working with club president Darren Eales, technical director Carlos Bocanegra and soon with manager Gerardo Martino, McDonough is applying the good and needs-improvement lessons he learned in Florida to Atlanta United in hopes, in his words, of doing it better than it has been done anywhere else.

"I think that things are going really, really well," he said. "The experiences that Darren and Carlos bring, and I bring, it really, really works well. I think we are trending in the right direction."

McDonough's hiring was announced by Atlanta United in December. Since then, he has spent a lot of his time overseeing the $60 million training ground that is under construction in Marietta. It's a complex that he says will push the envelope in the league and has been praised by everyone from Mexico manager Juan Carlos Osorio to incoming manager Gerardo Martino, who have seen some of the world's best training training grounds.

The rest of McDonough's time is spent scouting and working on what may become Atlanta United's first roster. The team has eight players and the roster can have many as 28 players, so there are a lot of signings that must be made.

Atlanta United and Minnesota, the other club coming in next year, will each get five picks in the expansion draft on Dec. 13, with the coin flip to be held on Sunday determining who will go first. Past drafts have included 10 selections, which increases the probability of finding several useful first-team players.

McDonough said five is OK because the two new teams will be given extra allocation money (the amount hasn't been determined), which will allow them to try to sign they players have they clearly identified that they want, rather than possibly those that their current clubs have made available because they are no longer wanted. If Atlanta United can find five first-team players in the expansion draft, and use the allocation money in some way to find two more, McDonough described that as a winning situation.

Atlanta United hasn't done any mock drafts, but he said those are coming soon. He has spent a lot of time along with others at the club rolling through permutations of Atlanta's roster.

"We're just getting to the stage where we are trying to guess what the other teams are going to have exposed," he said.

It's important to McDonough that the club has a balance of youth and experience. So far, that's working. The inexperience of homegrown signings such as Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin, as well as Jeffrey Otoo and Hector Villalba, are offset by the experience of veterans Kenwyne Jones and Chris McCann. McDonough said Orlando City may have geared too young when he was there.

As much as McDonough wants all of Atlanta United's signings to work out, he knows they won't. McDonough learned in Orlando that mistakes made with personnel need to be dealt with immediately. That may mean holding back some allocation money so that weaknesses in year one can be fixed in year two.

Also, he said preference in the expansion draft won't be given to players with ties to Atlanta. The need is for useful players, no matter where they are from.

Another lesson McDonough learned is that he thinks while he was in Orlando City the franchise may have become too focused on its success in the United Soccer League. As a result, it may have taken away some of the focus on preparing for MLS. NYCFC, which came into MLS at the same time, didn't have USL, so it couldn't be distracted. It's similar to the situations for Atlanta United and Minnesota, which is finishing its final NASL season before joining MLS next year.

"Going through the expansion process, you have to live it to truly understand it and how difficult it is," he said.

6. Nashville's MLS chances boosted by big soccer crowd

By John Glennon The Tennessean - October 8, 2016

Walking into Nissan Stadium with paint on his face and a freshly made sign - "This Gringo Loves Mexico" - in his hands, Shelbyville's Taylor Gannon was reveling in pre-game soccer atmosphere on Saturday afternoon.

"This is crazy," Gannon said, about an hour before the Mexican national team kicked off against New Zealand in front of a crowd of 40,287, the second-largest soccer crowd in state history.

"I knew there would be a bunch of people here, but not like this. This is a lot more people than I expected."

It was easy for Gannon, attending the game with Mexican-born Maria Garcia and soccer-loving youngsters Anthony Revelo and Jaxon Gannon, to think what it might be like if Nashville were to land a Major League Soccer team.

"I think we'd definitely come out for a lot of MLS games. Both of these guys love soccer and I'm the coach of their team, so any chance they get, they like to watch games."

That enthusiasm appears to reflect Nashville's growing appetite for soccer, one that has already led the USL to award Music City an expansion franchise - Nashville SC - that is scheduled to begin play in 2018, assuming a soccer-specific stadium is in place by then.

The next goal is to secure rights to an expansion franchise in the MLS, which is the top rung of club soccer in the U.S. - two steps above the USL.

"Today is a great step to bring MLS to Nashville," said the head of Nashville's MLS Organizing Committee, Bill Hagerty, who watched Saturday's contest from a suite with mayor Megan Barry and MLS representatives among others.

"We're thrilled with the crowd. The energy here and around the stadium all day has been just outstanding. What we're seeing on the field is great. Sitting here with MLS officials, they could not be more thrilled with the showing Nashville has made to support soccer."

The MLS currently has 20 clubs and plans to expand to 22 in 2017 with the addition of teams in Atlanta and Minneapolis-St. Paul. A second franchise in Los Angeles and a likely Miami franchise would bring the number to a stated goal of 24 teams by the end of 2020.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has outlined plans to expand to 28 teams after 2020, which is the window Nashville is looking toward.

Saturday's big crowd came about 15 months after the U.S. men's national team drew a state record 44,825 to Nissan for a 4-0 win over Guatemala, and just seven months after the U.S. women drew their biggest crowd of 2016 - 25,363 - to Nissan as part of a soccer doubleheader.

"People look at this - the folks at MLS notice, promoters notice, investors with deep pockets notice," said Gabe Gabor, press officer for MLS and Soccer United Marketing. "In general, the soccer world notices that Nashville is becoming a soccer city.

"There are many factors that go into it, but obviously you need a passionate fan base, which Nashville certainly is on its way to building with Nashville SC."

It wasn't just the size of the crowd that drew the eye of ESPN FC's Tom Marshall - who's been covering the Mexican team for the past five years - but the way that the city of Nashville embraced the contest.

"I thought (attendance) would be pretty poor to be honest, but I think there's definitely a buzz around the city with the game and just in general," said the British-born Marshall. "People are really enjoying themselves here.

"Something like this shows the soccer culture of a place. The U.S. played here, got a good crowd. Mexico played here, got a good crowd. It's all an indication to people making decisions in MLS that there's something going on around here."

Saturday's contest actually marked the fifth time a men's international contest drew big numbers to Nissan.

In addition to the record-breaking attendance last July for the Guatemala contest, there was a crowd of 29,059 in 2011 for a 1-0 U.S. loss to Paraguay, a crowd of 27,969 in 2009 that the U.S. beat Trinidad & Tobago 3-0, and a crowd of 26,141 that saw the U.S. lose 1-0 to Morocco in 2006.

Of course, good attendance at international contests - specifically ones involving the U.S. teams - doesn't ensure by itself that a USL or MLS team would draw well.

There would be less star-power involved in leagues games than there are in national contests, and USL/MLS teams would also need to fill their home stadiums on a regular basis throughout a long season - not just for special occasions.

But on a picturesque evening of soccer that followed a day's worth of electricity around the stadium, it was easy to believe Nashville's soccer community had made quite an impression on MLS decision makers.

As an exclamation point, Nashville's pedestrian bridge was lit up in the color of Mexico's flag -- green, white and red -- following the contest.

"MLS has a great data point for us after today," Hagerty said, "and I think that just underscores what a terrific city Nashville is as the next home for another franchise."

7. Giovani dos Santos rebuilds bridges with El Tri but pressure remains

By Tom Marshall ESPNFC.com - October 9, 2016

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When Juan Carlos Osorio used to speak about Giovani dos Santos, there was never a sense that the 27-year-old LA Galaxy forward was a player that the Colombian really took a real liking towards.

Osorio was always polite when talking about Dos Santos, but there were excuses mentioned about the competition Dos Santos faced to get into the team, finding a position he would be comfortable in and even fitness concerns. That all built to a crescendo when the former Barcelona player had refused to join the squad for the Copa America Centenario last summer.

Alarm bells had loudly sounded about Dos Santos' future with the national team, but that situation has since been turned on its head. Dos Santos netted the opener on his El Tri return in Mexico's 2-1 victory on Saturday night against New Zealand and was handed the captain's armband by Osorio, who said he consulted with veterans Jesus Corona and Oribe Peralta over the decision.

"I'm a much more mature player, I've grown," Dos Santos said after the game. "The responsibility of putting on the captain's armband gave me a lot of pride."

Ahead of the game, Dos Santos heaped praise on Osorio's training methods and that mutual respect from the coach was reciprocated following Saturday's win.

"Giovani is taking the step to become a different player and because of the responsibility he showed in the week, he earned the right to be captain today," Osorio said.

"He can lead the group. It was very positive for the well-being of the group and hopefully he consolidates himself as that great professional that we all want to see and be the example to follow for many Mexicans."

Osorio, who is approaching his one-year anniversary as Mexico coach, had demanded when they first talked that Dos Santos needed not just to become a good player for Galaxy, but also to impact Major League Soccer. The player believes he has done that with 14 goals so far in the 2016 MLS season.

"I had to respond [to criticism about the move to Los Angeles] on the field and earn the respect in the league," Dos Santos said. "And I have been important not just in my team, but also the league."

Dos Santos may have netted the penalty and been involved in Marco Fabian's winning goal in the second half, but he has played better for the national team. Against a well-organized side leaving little space between the lines, the onus was partly on him to unlock the New Zealand defense and he couldn't do it as well as he would have wanted.

On the positive side, there were flashes of inspiration and if he is truly back in the fold, his usefulness cannot be in doubt, not least because he constantly wanted the ball and was trying to break New Zealand's stern defense.

Yet smoothing over the Dos Santos issue doesn't mean Osorio has suddenly swept away all his problems. There were once again calls on social media for him to be fired during the narrow win against New Zealand, but Osorio defended the players and his selection choices, which included debut starts for Jesus Gallardo, Hedgardo Marin and Jordan Silva.

"I believe each one showed something positive," Osorio said. "Now it is about seeing the continuity they have in their clubs and for them to play and be influential."

Marco Fabian, who scored the winner, concurred.

"This wasn't an exam to see who will be in [the squad for the hexagonal]," said the Eintracht Frankfurt player, who will miss Tuesday's game against Panama and return to Germany to prepare for his club side's test against Bayern Munich next weekend. "The coach is following everyone at their clubs and he'll decide depending on what you've shown in different opportunities."

Once again, it was Osorio swatting aside any negativity as he continues to make conclusions about the depth in the Mexican player pool, with Europe-based players like Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez and Hector Herrera not chosen for this international meet-up. A different lineup and tactical layout should be expected when the team takes on Panama in Chicago on Tuesday, in the team's last tune-up game before taking on the United States in the first round of matches in the hexagonal stage of CONCACAF qualifying on Nov. 11.

"We've got the report on the United States and when the day comes to take them on, we'll plan, taking into consideration the strengths of the opposition," Osorio said.

In other words, the Colombian is not giving much away and is happy to continue to find try different formulas in spite of increasing unrest from the Mexican media.

8. USL Playoffs: MLS-backed teams dominate

By Paul Kennedy SoccerAmerica.com - October 9, 2016

Three of the four USL conference semifinalists are MLS second teams. Swope Park Rangers, Sporting Kansas City's second team, joined the New York Red Bulls II and Vancouver Whitecaps FC II in the conference finals when it beat the Orange County Blues, 2-1, in overtime despite finishing the game with nine players.

Mark Anthony Gonzalez and Dane Kelly scored for SPR, the No. 4 seed that had knocked off top-seed Sacramento Republic FC a week earlier. It has won all six games since acquiring 21-year-old California keeper Adrian Zendejas from Mexican club Tijuana, where he played for its U-20 team.

Regular-season champion New York Red Bulls II needed a game-tying penalty kick in the 119th minute from Brandon Allen and then defeated the defending champion Rochester Rhinos, 5-4 on penalty kicks to advance to the the Eastern Conference final, where it will face Louisville City.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 reached the Western Conference final against Swope Rangers with a 3-2 over OKC Energy FC. Canadian Daniel Haber's goal in the 89th minute rescued Whitecaps FC 2, which has blown a 2-0 lead.

9. U.S. makes wholesale roster changes before New Zealand match

By Seth Vertelney SportingNews.com - October 8, 2016

U.S. national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann has made a number of changes to his roster before Tuesday night's friendly against New Zealand.

After the U.S. defeated Cuba 2-0 in Havana on Friday, the following nine players returned to their club teams: John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Ethan Horvath, Fabian Johnson, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Chris Wondolowski and Bobby Wood.

In their place, seven players were called into the squad: Kellyn Acosta, Juan Agudelo, Matt Besler, Terrence Boyd, Bill Hamid, Michael Orozco and Tim Parker.

Following multiple injuries over the last two years, Boyd returns to the U.S. national team for the first time since being cut from the USA's final 2014 World Cup squad. Agudelo also returns for the first time since June 2015.

The U.S. roster is at 20 ahead of the team's match against New Zealand, which takes place Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

Full roster

Goalkeepers (3): David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

Defenders (6): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Midfielders (6): Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland), Perry Kitchen (Hearts), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Danny Williams (Reading)

Forwards (4): Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Terrence Boyd (RB Leipzig), Julian Green (Bayern Munich)

10. Agudelo, Boyd Most Notable Names on Revised Roster

By Brian Sciaretta AmericanSoccerNow.com - October 9, 2016

AFTER FRIDAY'S lackluster 2-0 win over Cuba in Havana, United States national team head coach made a series of roster changes ahead of Tuesday's friendly against New Zealand in Washington, D.C.

Most of the players who returned to their clubs are based in Europe and are long-established contributors to the national team. Most of those added to the roster are with North American clubs and are somewhat on the fringe.

The nine players who were released: John Brooks, Geoff Cameron, Timmy Chandler, Ethan Horvath, Fabian Johnson, Jordan Morris, Christian Pulisic, Chris Wondolowski, and Bobby Wood.

The seven who were added: Kellyn Acosta, Juan Agudelo, Matt Besler, Terrence Boyd, Bill Hamid, Michael Orozco, and Tim Parker.

Here's the full roster:

GOALKEEPERS David Bingham (San Jose Earthquakes), Bill Hamid (D.C. United), William Yarbrough (Club Leon)

DEFENDERS Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), Omar Gonzalez (Pachuca), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Parker (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

MIDFIELDERS Paul Arriola (Club Tijuana), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Lynden Gooch (Sunderland), Perry Kitchen (Hearts), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Danny Williams (Reading)

FORWARDS Juan Agudelo (New England Revolution), Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Terrence Boyd (RB Leipzig), Julian Green (Bayern Munich)

The decision to release Christian Pulisic comes somewhat as a surprise as he is still finding his role within the national team. That said, the move does fall in line with what Jurgen Klinsmann has said about young players needing to spend time with their clubs to not lose their place. Jordan Morris could have helped his national team prospects by playing Tuesday as he is still in a fierce competition for minutes. But the Seattle Sounders have a crucial midweek game in what is an intense playoff chase.

The only established player among those joining the team is Matt Besler. Terrence Boyd is the biggest surprise as he has not yet returned to RB Leipzig's first team two years after his ACL injury. The charismatic forward, however, is among the more popular players in the pool and his return will be welcomed by teammates and fans.

Juan Agudelo is by far the most significant addition. The talented New England Revolution forward has shown moments of brilliance with the national team dating back to 2011 but he has never become a regular contributor. Now playing very well for his club, he might have an opportunity to join the chase in what is becoming a tough competition up top - especially given Clint Dempsey's serious health issues.

Vancouver Whitecaps defender Tim Parker was called up in January for the first time but did not play in either of the two friendlies. Now the Long Island native actually has the rare opportunity to be an MLS-based player to make a national team debut outside of January camp in the Klinsmann-era. The only three players to have done this are Alan Gordon, Matt Miazga, and Darlington Nagbe.

11. Whitecaps' Bustos, TFC's Hamilton hope to lead youth movement for Canada

By Daniel Squizzato MLSsoccer.com - October 10, 2016

Though the 2018 World Cup qualification door has closed for Canada, a window of opportunity has now opened for some of the nation's bright young talents.

Jordan Hamilton and Marco Bustos, a pair of 20-year-olds, are the two youngest players taking part in Canada's current training camp in Morocco, under the tutelage of interim head coach Michael Findlay.

Both came on as substitutes in Canada's 4-0 win over Mauritania on Thursday, each earning their second senior-team caps in the process. And both see this camp as an opportunity to establish themselves as key members of the national team in the years ahead.

"We have to start thinking about it now, the process of getting to that 2022 World Cup," said Bustos, a Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder who's featured regularly this season for Whitecaps 2 in the USL.

"I do believe that if I keep going the way I am, I can be part of that group ... it'll be a prime age for us younger guys to step up at that moment."

This camp has been an eye-opening experience for the pair both on and off the field. Neither had ever been to Africa before; Hamilton reckons the trip to Marrakesh was the longest one he's ever taken.

"It's nice to see a different part of the world that you've never been in before," said the Toronto FC striker. "But it's worth it to put on the Canadian shirt, so I'm happy to be here."

Hamilton has worn red jerseys for years now, having joined the Toronto FC Academy and debuted with Canada's Under-17 squad in 2011, at age 15. But this season has been Hamilton's breakthrough campaign with TFC's senior side, and he's hoping to become similarly entrenched with the Canadian team.

"This is like a 'do-or-die' type thing, there's no more U-20, U-23 types of teams to fall back on," said Hamilton. "You've really got to push for a spot with the senior team ... so I have to really seize my opportunity every day now."

Bustos, a native of Winnipeg, has seen his career follow a similar trajectory. He joined the Whitecaps Residency program in 2011 and made his Canadian youth team debut two years later.

His one prior senior-team appearance came in a friendly against Ghana in October 2015. Coincidentally, Findlay was behind the Canadian bench that day (filling in for since-departed manager Benito Floro), and Bustos said he was glad to learn of Findlay's recently-expressed desire to see the national team begin to adopt a more attacking mindset.

"I think we want to go out there and show we can be an attack-minded team," said Bustos. "We want to get results. But at the end of the day, it's about developing what we're trying to achieve and if we go out and do things properly, and we look like an attack-minded team and create a lot of chances, that's the most important thing."

While Hamilton is also excited about the prospect of putting his attacking instincts on display, he says he did gain valuable experience in several camps under Floro.

"He's an amazing coach and taught me a lot of things," said Hamilton of Floro. "Every coach has a different style and hopefully Michael Findlay, or whoever is the next head coach, we can implement his style and see success."

The team has time to figure out what that new style will be, of course, with Canada's next World Cup qualifier about three years away.

And though the team's recent elimination from Russia 2018 contention still stings for players and supporters alike, the hard work has already begun on preparing a group to compete for a spot at Qatar 2022.

"We can't do anything about the past," said Hamilton. "We can only move forward and put our best foot forward, to future successes."

The next step is Tuesday's match against Morocco, and while both Hamilton and Bustos are itching to get their first starts for the senior team, neither is taking anything for granted.

"If I get a start that would be amazing. But at the end of the day, I just want to get minutes," said Bustos. "I'll seize any opportunity I'm given."

12. Marlon Hairston emerges as Colorado's newest star, but he's not done yet

By Marco Cummings MLSsoccer.com - October 8, 2016

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Marlon Hairston is just like any typical 22-year-old: He enjoys Drake concerts, bowling with friends and, along with his Colorado Rapids teammates, proving people wrong.

"We've been fighting and even when people didn't give us the chance that we deserve, we continue to show people that this wasn't going to just be a one or two win season," Hairston told MLSsoccer.com this week.

The midfielder has been a breakout star of the his team's turnaround this season, racking up three goals and five assists in 14 starts. But the transformation has been a long time coming for Hairston, now in his third season with Colorado since the club selected him 12th overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft.

"Coming into this season, I wanted to prove to myself, my teammates and coaches that this was where I wanted to be and where I thought I belonged," Hairston continued. "I was just trying to keep my body ready and as fit as possible so that when I came into preseason, I was a little more prepared than the years before. It's paying off for the team right now."

Hairston's effort was recognized by head coach Pablo Mastroeni entering the 2016 campaign, and he gave the Louisville product the starting nod at right back in Colorado's season opener.

"Marlon came into the preseason fit, he had a changed mindset and we continued to talk about where he wanted to go in his career," Mastroeni said. "It was about seeing the drive of a young man who's changing his own life, taking responsibility for his own career."

Right back was a position of need for Colorado over the past two seasons and Hairston took on the challenge to learn it.

"Playing on the wing has been a good move for me and it's definitely paying dividends," Hairston said. "But I appreciated [playing right back] at the end. It definitely gave me a wider perception defensively while still being able to get into the attack. It was good to get to defend a bit more and have that position in my locker."

When he returned to the midfield as a substitute in late May, he began to show a spark, earning his first assist on Sam Cronin's opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Philadelphia. It was that performance which led to Mastroeni making Hairston a more permanent fixture in the midfield, starting when he gave him a starting nod on the wing in the next match against Chicago.

A month later, Hairston scored his first goal of the season with a game-winner against Sporting KC.

"I'm not one to believe that one moment defines somebody. It's a bunch of little moments that finally culminate into a bigger moment," Mastroeni said of the steps forward by Hairston this season. "Patience is one thing, perseverance is another. Patience is huge but it's only warranted when the player wants to apply himself to continue to get better and not make the same mistakes. We're seeing it manifest now. It's so great to see all of his hard work being validated with performances at the weekend."

Hairston gave equal credit to the head coach, who has stayed the course through the rough seasons which defined Hairston's first two years in MLS and Mastroeni's first as a manager.

"Over the course of my three years here, he's been the same guy," Hairston said of Mastroeni. "He's consistently telling me to just be free and to continue to perfect my craft at practice, after training and to do things on my own to just continue to try to get better. He's given me a lot of confidence."

This season, Hairston can pull knowledge from a variety of mentors, with Jermaine Jones, Tim Howard and Kevin Doyle amongst the sources he can now pull from. It's a resource that's proven to be invaluable.

"It's been great having Jermaine, Tim and Kev on the team. All of those guys are experienced players who've played at the highest levels," Hairston said. "For the younger guys, it's easy to talk to those guys about anything. Those guys make the job easy. This year they've come in and have been great for us."

Howard offered high praise for Hairston, saying that his young teammate could see US national team call-ups in his future if he continues his trajectory.

"He's been taking on a big role and scoring big goals for us," Howard said. "As long as Marlon keeps doing that and putting himself in the shop window, that's all you can ask for. National team calls come when you play consistently well for your club team."

Mastroeni sees similarities between Hairston and former USMNT and LA Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones, due to pace and the ability to create crosses and goals from 1v1 situations. But Hairston most tries to model his game after world greats Ronaldinho and Zinedine Zidane, not because of their technical ability, but their on-field attitudes.

Explained Hairston, "I watched a lot of soccer growing up. Those guys had fun on the field. Every time I watched them they played with a smile on their face and it was something that has stuck with me up to this point."

He's hoping to put that carefree attitude on display in front of the Colorado faithful for their remaining home matches, which will hopefully continue well into the postseason.

"Playing at home definitely gives me confidence. Not having lost a game all season has been huge," he said. "It's a credit to our fans and the group in the locker room. Other teams come here and altitude is tough to play in. If we can get a home game [in the playoffs], that would be clutch.

"Definitely we're in a good position going into the playoffs, but there's a lot more we want to accomplish. Now we're playing for a Supporters' Shield and hopefully we can make a deep run."

13. Could Houston's Wade Barrett replicate Mastroeni's path to head coach?

By Jesus Acevedo Jr. MLSsoccer.com - October 8, 2016

HOUSTON - The Colorado Rapids' improbable run to the top has some eating crow, but who could blame their earl-season doubters?

The Rapids finished the 2015 season with 37 points. Nearly a year later, Colorado enter Saturday's bout against the Houston Dynamo (8:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE) sitting on 51 points and in contention for the Supporters' Shield.

One year. That's how fast things can change for a team in MLS, and that gives Houston - currently last in the Wesetrn Conference - a reason for optmism. Dynamo general manager/VP Matt Jordan called it, "the beauty of MLS," when describing the Rapids' quick rise from bottom dwellers to the cream of the crop.

"That's really the foundation of MLS," Jordan said. "In a single entity league with a lot of parity that's what makes MLS unique to any league in the world."

Much like the Rapids with head coach Pablo Mastroeni, the Dynamo have a former decorated club player at the helm - albeit in an interim capacity.

Wade Barrett - who was named interim head coach after Owen Coyle parted ways in late May - captained Houston to back-to-back MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. He then joined former Houston coach Dominic Kinnear as an assistant coach but stayed when Kinnear left for San Jose.

Barrett is ingrained in Dynamo history just as Mastroeni is in that of the Rapids. Could Houston pull off a similar move and give Barrett the coaching reins?

"Our position remains the same," Jordan said, figuratively holding his cards close to his chest. "We're evaluating everything and that's our focus right now."

The next full-time Dynamo coach will be the third in franchise history and second under Jordan's reign. The first, Coyle, plied his trade in Europe before taking over in Houston on December 2014, a month after Jordan was appointed general manager/VP.

The Scottish coach did little to deter the commonly-held notion that that foreign coaches struggle in MLS. In 46 games, Coyle posted a 14-11-21 record.

"I think it's fair to say our focus will be within North America," Jordan said when asked how wide a net will be cast during the coaching search. "What's important is our position hasn't changed and it's important to finish the season strong and be supportive of the staff and the work that they and the players are doing."

Aside from hiring a full-time coach, Jordan will have to retool a roster that failed to make the playoffs for third consecutive year.

Rio Grande Valley FC, the Dynamos' USL affiliate, could play a part in that with Jordan calling it a "positive" project for the franchise.

"That's what's ideal about that project is it just helps you to get younger players in your pipeline," Jordan said. "And to hopefully build a succession plan."

While Jordan was tight-lipped on the next Houston coach, he did reveal that the team wants to add a difference-making player in the off-season.

"It's got to be the right fit and the timing has got to be right," Jordan said. "That's our focus."

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(This sampling of coverage is a service provided to members of the media by MLS Communications)

MLS Newsstand - October 10, 2016

Select Clips

- Giovani dos Santos scores in return to Mexican National Team as Mexico defeats New Zealand 2-1 (SportsCenter, ESPNews)

- Colorado Rapids secure first round playoff bye with 3-2 victory over Houston Dynamo (KCNC-DEN, Denver, CO)

- Orlando City SC players give advice on fatherhood to local reporter and new father (WFTV-ORD, Orlando, FL)

- D.C. United host second annual celebrity soccer match with community leaders in attendance (WRC-DC, Washington, D.C.)

- Mexico attracts over 40,000 fans for friendly match in Nashville (WTVF-NAS, Nashville, TN)

MLS Articles

1. Kellyn Acosta added to US roster for New Zealand friendly (Dallas Morning News)

2. Orlando City backup goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. ready to play (Orlando Sentinel)

3. MCL tear ends season for Orlando City defender David Mateos (Orlando Sentinel)

4. Ricketts rockets up career list in Canada's win (Toronto Sun)

5. McDonough's experience invaluable for Atlanta United (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

6. Nashville's MLS chances boosted by big soccer crowd (The Tennessean)

7. Giovani dos Santos rebuilds bridges with El Tri but pressure remains (ESPNFC.com)

8. USL Playoffs: MLS-backed teams dominate (SoccerAmerica.com)

9. U.S. makes wholesale roster changes before New Zealand match (SportingNews.com)

10. Agudelo, Boyd Most Notable Names on Revised Roster (AmericanSoccerNow.com)

11. Whitecaps' Bustos, TFC's Hamilton hope to lead youth movement for Canada (MLSsoccer.com)

12. Marlon Hairston emerges as Colorado's newest star, but he's not done yet (MLSsoccer.com)

13. Could Houston's Wade Barrett replicate Mastroeni's path to head coach? (MLSsoccer.com)

(Additional articles for consideration can be submitted directly to Jane Sexton of MLS Communications at Jane.Sexton@MLSsoccer.com .)

1. Kellyn Acosta added to US roster for New Zealand friendly

By Buzz Carrick

Dallas Morning News - October 9, 2016

FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta is joined the U.S. Men's National Team in Washington, D.C. this weekend as the team prepared to face New Zealand at RFK Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 11.

The 21-year-old was one of six players added to the roster after the team's 2-0 win against Cuba on Friday, including Juan Agudelo, Matt Belser, Terrence Boyd, Bill Hamid, Tim Parker and Michael Orozco.

Acosta will rejoin FC Dallas following Tuesday's friendly. FC Dallas returns to league play on Sunday, Oct. 16, when they host Seattle Sounders FC at Toyota Stadium on Fan Appreciation Day presented by Papa John's. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CT.

2. Orlando City backup goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. ready to play

By Christian Simmons

Orlando Sentinel - October 9, 2016