Injuries to Designated Players, golazos, red cards and plenty of controversy made for a Heineken Rivalry Week that nobody will forget anytime soon. The guys get together to break it all down, starting with a Cascadia win for the Timbers that shifted MLS Cup playoff momentum south from Seattle to Portland. Meanwhile, Toronto will have to chase a first-round bye without Giovinco – for the next four weeks at least – after an “embarrassing” loss to 10-man Montreal. Plus, more Patty Mullins hype, Yura leads RSL to Rocky Mountain Cup win, the Red Bulls get the job done, just barely, and Jason Kreis gets some payback.
In the second segment, it’s time to talk CONCACAF, beginning with your favorite regional nickname. Vincy Heat is certainly a candidate, which is convenient because the USMNT take on St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday with a place in the Hexagonal on the line. First, roster breakdown – including a late call-up for Sacha Kljestan and a puzzling one for Jermaine Jones – then a request for a Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood partnership. Finally, Canada head back to San Pedro Sula hoping to exorcise qualifying ghosts of years past. Can they do it?
In the mailbag, front-office change in San Jose, a style question for Crew SC and perspective on Jordan Morris’ Rookie of the Year campaign. Oh, and a celebrity ETR sighting.
