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 new media editor Nicholas Rosano is "If You Want me to Stay" by Sly and the Family Stone.
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1. VOTE FOR THE MLS GOALS: For years, people argued that MLS didn't have enough attacking talent, despite the likes of Landon Donovan, Jaime Moreno, and Juan Pablo Angel tearing it up regularly. Now, this may not be anyone's preferred indicator, but it says something that two of the 10 goals up for this year's Puskas Award have direct MLS connections. One is Tim Cahill's masterpiece volley for Australia at the World Cup; the other is Camilo's flying scissor-kick for the Vancouver Whitecaps. Go help 'em out. – GREG LALAS
2. GET PLAYOFF READY: So there are no games this weekend. Basically, anywhere. Great. That gives you plenty of time to read up and prepare for what appear to be two epic Conference Championship series in MLS. Start with some stats about New England-New York. Then do the same for Seattle-LA. The long history of the Revs-Red Bulls East Coast rivalry deserves a look, as does the shorter, but just as fiery history of Seattle-LA. – GREG LALAS
3. A MARI USQUE AD MARE: They went over a year without scoring a goal, but finally things are starting to look up for the Canadian national team. Benito Floro’s team beat Jamaica 3-1 back in September and got a hard fought 1-0 loss to Colombia last month. They enter their game against Panama on Tuesday with a new life and two classy MLS midfielders to lead them (Russell Teibert and Jonathan Osorio). But there always seems to be a dark lining for CanMNT: 20-year-old Bryce Alderson, who was called into this camp, might have played his last game with the Whitecaps. – BEN BAER
4. WHAT OVERHAUL? Despite a sobering playoff exit, Columbus Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter wasn’t about to begin fretting over his roster. And besides, the Crew have also addressed two potential needs in acquiring a proven striker (Kei Kamara) and cover for their central midfield duo of Wil Trapp and Tony Tchani (Mohammed Saeid). We won’t know much more until contract decisions come down the pike, but Berhalter and Crew SC appear to be getting it right by tweaking the roster, rather than chopping and changing, after a promising season – NICHOLAS ROSANO
5. ROBBIE'S WORLD: Who’s had a better month: Those European scientists who landed a satellite on a freaking comet, or Robbie Rogers? Considering the satellite’s battery reportedly won’t last past Saturday, I’ll take Rogers, who has a new book out in two weeks, an ABC sitcom based on his life in the works and – perhaps most satisfying – a new deal with the LA Galaxy. The multi-year extension was announced earlier this week and makes crystal clear that Rogers’ career rebirth at left back is the real deal. Consequently, doubters of last year’s infamous Rogers-Magee trade are growing scarce. Now, don’t be surprised if Rogers earns a call-up to the USMNT's January camp. – NICK FIRCHAU
6. TWEET OF THE WEEK: The struggle is real:
7. FIFA IN 100 WORDS OR LESS: After all the time and discussion, a report this week based on investigator Michael Garcia’s report on possible corruption within FIFA was released. (The full report will, of course, not be released.) And it's being condemned by Garcia himself, on the grounds that it doesn’t actually tell the truth. What it all means and what the fallout will be is anyone's guess. – ALICIA RODRIGUEZ
8. HENRY WATCH: There may still be two long weeks left, but the second leg of the NE-NY Eastern Conference Championship series is already claiming a few headlines: Will Thierry Henry play for the first time ever on the Gillette Stadium turf he's avoided thus far? You might ask: Why is this even a question? It's unthinkable that Henry – even with his Achilles issues – would potentially watch helplessly from the sidelines. So why didn't Red Bulls coach Mike Petke come out and say just that? Instead, his midweek "no comment" created even more of a stir. For someone who says he didn't want the debate to "take any type of stage," Petke guaranteed quite the opposite. – SIMON BORG
9. ROCK THE VOTE! AT&T Goal of the Year continues even as MLS takes a break. Watch all the internationals over the next few days, and in between find time to vote for the best goal of the MLS season.
10. IF YOU WOULD BE A REAL SEEKER AFTER TRUTH...: ...it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. – RENE DESCARTES
11. ALL WE REALLY WANT IS GOALS: Some scorchers in the playoffs so far. Will the FIFA international date really provide as much entertainment?– MATTHEW DOYLE
