Mirror, mirror on the wall — what are the biggest issues MLS faces of all? An upcoming CBA negotiation and uncertainty over the kickoff of the 2015 season. An increase in NASL spending that’s putting pressure on MLS to offer improved entry-level contracts. The fact that there are still wide gulfs between how MLS does deals and how the rest of the world does deals. We asked agents across North America for their input — and we got some very, very interesting answers. Here’s a rare peek behind the scenes...

You know that you’ve had a special game when you score a spectacular free-kick goal from outside the area… and that’s NOT the goal everyone is talking about.

“I was just trying to connect with it,” Heinemann said following the game. “It was obviously just an empty net so I was just trying to connect with it and put it on frame.”

With so many goals in MLS this past weekend (and in the previous midweek), and many two-goal efforts from which to choose, the judges were likely swayed by the difficulty level of Rowe’s tallies.

If Marco Di Vaio and co. are facing the league’s top teams, they don’t lose. And, a stretch of the schedule filled with games against Columbus, FC Dallas, Chivas USA and Toronto FC is more deadly for the Impact than a stretch of games against the top two teams in each conference.

After six and a half years, it’s hard to imagine that Toronto FC could find new and baffling ways to frustrate and anger its fan base.

Sanna Nyassi will miss Saturday's game between the Montreal Impact and New York Red Bulls.

“We’re going through a bit of a tough phase at the moment. There’s a lot of physical fatigue and a bit of mental fatigue as well. It’s a long season and you have to expect some periods like the one we’re going through but we have to stay the course and play through them,” said Camara.

When news broke that Carlos Bocanegra was looking to leave Rangers and was talking with Chivas USA, Toronto FC knew it was in a position of strength.

“We showed excellent character to stay composed and to fight back,” Rennie said. “A lot of teams when they lose the first goal the game is over, and that’s never been the case for us, especially this season, so that’s an encouraging sign.”