Welcome to Starting XI, our Friday rundown of what to watch for this weekend in MLS and beyond. And don't forget to get your Spanish-language fix with FutbolMLS.com.
Recommended musical pairing from Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle is "Always Alright" by Alabama Shakes, because it's a really big deal.
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1. OLD RIVALRIES, NEW ERA: Up 2-0 on aggregate, the New York Red Bulls will look to close out D.C. United on Saturday on network television (2:30 pm ET; NBC, NBC Live Extra, UDN; TICKETS). With Sean Franklin returning for United, it's not going to be easy. But if they do it, they'd advance to the Eastern Conference Championship for the first time since 2008. They'd also give Bradley Wright-Phillips a better chance at getting the four goals he needs to match Roy Lassiter’s record of 33 goals in a calendar year (playoffs and regular season). Of course, he’d happily be shut out for the rest of the playoffs as long as New York claim MLS Cup. – NICHOLAS ROSANO
6. TWEET OF THE WEEK: Strategic use of hashtags is an art.
7. SEATTLE'S HOME COOKIN': The largest stadium crowd on a consistent basis in MLS is in Seattle, and with the Sounders hosting FC Dallas in the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinals (Monday, 10:30 pm ET, NBCSN, UDN, TSN2, RDS2), the hope is the CenturyLink Field masses will push them through. But the Sounders lost four times at home this season, and Dallas will have Mauro Diaz back. You probably shouldn't bet on it, but you also shouldn't sleep on FCD's upset chances. – ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
8. I'M STILL ALIVE: If "Celebrity Musician Supporters of MLS Teams Power Rankings" was a thing, Pearl Jam would land near the top. – MATTHEW DOYLE
9. MIDTERMS OVER, NOW VOTE FOR GOALS! Now that the political elections are done, you can focus on a truly important ballot: the AT&T Goal of the Year. We promise no Gallop pollsters will approach you after you vote.
10. ANOTHER SOCCER TEMPLE: Take three-and-a-half minutes to watch a timelapse of the construction of the new San Jose Earthquakes stadium, which will open in 2015. – MATTHEW DOYLE
11. ROY HODGSON VS. THE NFL: On Sunday, England's famed Wembley Stadium will host its third NFL game of the year - Jacksonville vs. Dallas - and England manager Roy Hodgson is not thrilled about it. He expressed his displeasure this week, in light of England's home match against Slovenia in a Euro 2016 qualifier six days later. Said Hodgson: "I don't really think you could expect me to say 'excellent, delighted, well done'. The pitch, unfortunately, is not in the best of nick anyway, which we're all a bit unhappy with."– NICK FIRCHAU
