Coach Andi Herzog failed to qualify the U.S. U-23 men's national team for the 2016 Olympic Games. It's not the first time the Austrian has failed to qualify a team to a major tournament.

Perhaps it was inevitable that the U.S. unbeaten streak against Guatemala in qualifying play had to end, but the timing sure was lousy. The USA is riding a bleak streak of ineptitude against Concacaf opponents, both in friendlies and games that count.

While the soccer world mourns the death of Johan Cruyff -- the electrifying, revolutionary player who brought Holland to global prominence, then as a coach laid the foundation for Barcelona (and Spain's) enduring influence - Westporters of a certain age recall the day the lithe forward arrived in town.

The middle two games in the U.S. World Cup qualifying semifinal round are against Guatemala, which has brought back veteran striker Carlos Ruiz yet offers the USA a real chance to clinch a spot in the Hexagonal.

ESPN FC's MLS player poll, compiled by our colleagues Jeffrey Carlisle and Doug McIntyre, is a must-read if you are an MLS fan.

The Rapids added another major piece in their renovation by signing USA keeper Tim Howard, who took an offer presented after losing the starting job at Everton following nearly a decade as the No. 1.

The USA can clinch its ticket to the Hexagonal if it beats Guatemala in both games of their home-and-home series that begins next Friday and Trinidad & Tobago at least splits against St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Jurgen Klinsmann says the goal is to do just that -- take three points in Guatemala City and in Columbus four days later.

Kevin Molino played just seven games in the MLS debut season for Orlando City SC before a torn ACL ended his season. A long rehab and 167 minutes in the Lions' first two games of the 2016 season has returned him to action.

Portland has used TAM money on the contracts of several players and acquired Darren Mattocks from Vancouver as it gears up for a demanding season.

The USA faces Colombia in a two-game series March 25 and March 29 to determine the 16th and final entrant in this summer's Olympic men's soccer tournament.

How does MLS build on the momentum of 2015 when it shattered league attendance records and introduced a host of new stars?

Colorado has been in free fall since Oscar Pareja left after the 2013 season, and to spark a rebuild the Rapids have signed U.S. midfielder Jermaine Jones.

At its annual meeting last week the International Football Association Board approved a two-year experimental period for video replay. Likely to jump aboard quickly is MLS, which has already tested a system and has green-lighted further experiments in USL games this season.

So when are eight international player slots in MLS not enough? Too often, it seems.

Portland's surprising surge to the 2015 MLS Cup title preserved the dominance of Western Conference teams, and also confirmed that in MLS anything can happen in the postseason.