After filling in for Michael Bradley as U.S. captain during the Gold Cup group phase, Alejandro Bedoya left the team to welcome a baby daughter into the world. He's been recalled for Hexagonal matches against Costa Rica and Honduras and is a viable option despite intense midfield competition.

Anson Dorrance, who this season is aiming to win his 23rd national title with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, also coached the USA to its first World Cup title 1991. Nearly 60 of his UNC players have played for the USA. Earlier this month, Sarina Wiegman, who was part of the UNC's 1989 NCAA championship team along with Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, coached the Netherlands to the 2017 European Championship title. In Part 2 of our interview we asked Dorrance about the NWSL's success and challenges, and state of the U.S. women's national team.

Anson Dorrance just started his 39th season as head coach of the nation's most successful collegiate soccer program, the 21-time NCAA championship-winning North Carolina women.

Not many teams have used TAM money to shore up the defense, but Seattle chose to pay the freight for Kelvin Leerdam, who played in Holland for Feyenoord and Vitesse before joining up with the Sounders last month.

Headed toward a third poor season in the four campaigns under Pablo Mastroeni, the Colorado Rapids cut loose their former captain and all-time leader in appearances with 225.

Few American soccer personalities have as broad a background in the game as Paul Mariner. The former England international striker closed out his playing career in the old APSL, coaches in MLS and England and is now works on the New England TV and radio broadcasts as well as for ESPN.

One of the most important events in the history of American soccer may have occurred back in 1964, when Ted Howard got cut from the Chico State varsity basketball team.

Most soccer fans know Eric Wynalda for his play on three U.S. World Cup teams and Hall of Fame career or his current role as an analyst on Fox Sports' soccer coverage.

An appearance in the 2015 MLS Cup final didn't carry over for Columbus, which failed to reach the playoffs last season. So far in 2017 it is barely in the playoff tier and must resolve issues with playmaker Federico Higuain, whose contract is about to expire, as it battles for a postseason slot.

Languishing among the also-rans has left much of the Fire fan base disgruntled, but the 2017 team has established itself as among the best in the league. Yet its amazing reversal won't mean much if it stumbles down the stretch.