Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SHIELD SHOWDOWN
This is the big one. the Seattle Sounders host the LA Galaxy on Saturday afternoon (2:30 pm ET, NBC and TSN2) to determine the winner of this year’s Supporters' Shield as the best team in the regular season. While the Galaxy insist all the pressure is on the Sounders, will the home side be able to take advantage of Omar Gonzalez’s absence or can the Galaxy find a way to compensate for that loss?
2. END ON A HIGH
Friday night’s match between the Chicago Fire and the Houston Dynamo (8 pm ET, NBCSN) marks two significant departures. It’s Dominic Kinnear’s final match as Dynamo boss, and although he’ll have to do it without Luis Garrido, Kinnear’s looking to go out with a win in what has been an otherwise frustrating season. Logan Pause, meanwhile, will be playing his final MLS match for Chicago, and it seems the 12-year Fire veteran nearly gave it all up before it ever began.
3. SKC FALL AT FINAL HURDLE
Anything less than a two-goal defeat would have seen Sporting Kansas City through to the CONCACAF Champions League knockout stage. Enter the Monster's Cave, where they lost 2-0 away to Deportivo Saprissa (HIGHLIGHTS), as two key first-half injuries not only changed that game but could also affect SKC’s upcoming playoff run.
4. DRAW IS SET
Sporting Kansas City’s result means that there will only be two MLS teams in the Champions League knockout stage next spring and now they both know who they’ll be facing, with D.C. United squaring off against Costa Rican side Alajuelense and the Montreal Impact taking on Mexican side Pachuca.
5. ELITE DC
The two Champions League quarterfinalists face off on Saturday as the Montreal Impact host D.C. United (4 pm ET, MLS LIVE), and while United have already sewn up first place in the Eastern Conference, the team from the capital is looking to remain a power for years to come with the launch of their elite training program.
6. SURPRISE SALE
The New England Revolution have already locked up second place in the Eastern Conference, now the question prior to Saturday's game against Toronto FC (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in the US, TSN2 in Canada) is whether midfielder Lee Nguyen has a shot at MVP. There was curious news for TFC fans on Thursday as they learned Doniel Henry’s contract was sold to a European team some time ago. Meanwhile, Jermain Defoe is set to see a specialist in Germany for his pesky groin injury just as the drama around the Designated Player heats up back in Ontario.
7. THE IMPORTANCE OF BBQs
Following their Champions League disappointment, the Portland Timbers will look to do all they can to sneak into the final playoff spot against FC Dallas on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, FREE Stream of the Week). However, following Real Salt Lake’s midweek win, Dallas need a win themselves to avoid the Knockout Round and will be hoping their enhanced chemistry can see them to the finish line with a higher seed.
8. WIN AND THEY’RE IN
For the Vancouver Whitecaps, the math is simple: Win and they’re in. As such, the team is focused on nothing but their own game against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday to clinch the 5th and final playoff spot in the West (10 pm ET; MLS LIVE in the US, TSN2 in Canada). Pedro Morales swept the ‘Caps' end-of-season awards, and the Designated Player has stated he hopes to be with the team for some time to come.
9. CREW IN THE LIMELIGHT
The Columbus Crew enter their game against the Philadelphia Union on Sunday (4 pm ET, UniMas) with a chance to move into third place in the Eastern Conference. While Gregg Berhalter isn’t commenting on reports of a new striker, the coach himself has been thrown into the spotlight. He did confirm, however, a new deal for Ethan Finlay. With the Union once again missing the playoffs, it’s looking like another important offseason for the team.
10. MR. DEPENDABLE
With both sides on 30 points, Chivas USA take on the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday in a battle to see which team will finish last in the Western Conference. Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy has once again been one of the few bright spots for the Goats this season although Erick "El Cubo" Torres is the unquestioned star (WATCH his story in the latest MLS Insider). In off-the-field news, it looks like the Quakes may have found a naming rights partner for their new stadium.
11. CAN SKC RECOVER?
Sporting Kansas City will have to bounce back pretty quickly from their CCL heartbreak when they take on the New York Red Bulls this Sunday (8:30 pm ET, ESPN2). Igor Julio may have picked up an injury in Thursday night’s game, but suspension had already ruled him out against the Red Bulls, who might have a leading candidate for their new sporting director role.
12. RSL SITTING PRETTY
Real Salt Lake find themselves playing the waiting game to see whether or not they’ll have to take part in the Knockout Round. Regardless of who they face or when they enter the playoffs, head coach Jeff Cassar is excited for the challenge.
13. HOME MAKEOVER
The LA Galaxy and the Portland Timbers have announced that they’ll be looking to make some upgrades to their respective homes during the offseason. For the Galaxy, that includes, among other things, the biggest scoreboard in MLS. As for the Timbers, they want to find room for an extra 6,000 fans.
14. FLORIDA’S FUTURE
Speaking about why he chose to invest in MLS, Orlando City SC owner Flavio Augusto Da Silva made it clear that he believes "MLS is going to be the biggest league in the world in the next 10 years.” Meanwhile, in Miami, MLS Commissioner Don Garber believes political will is key to making David Beckham’s plans come true.
15. DON'T EVER GIVE UP
At just 23, Greg Garza’s career is flourishing and the left back looks like he could become a starter for the US national team for years to come. However, it nearly didn’t come to pass, as Garza apparently considered giving up soccer just three years ago.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Preparing MLS teams for CCL success
USWNT can secure World Cup spot with win over Mexico
Whitecaps say thanks to Jay DeMerit
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