Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. TIMBERS COME ALIVE AGAINST GALAXY
Despite trailing at halftime, the Portland Timbers climbed back into an Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs position with a 5-2 win at the LA Galaxy on Sunday (HIGHLIGHTS). It was a statement from the Timbers, while LA know they “weren’t good enough all over.”
2. QUAKES STILL ALIVE
The San Jose Earthquakes still have a chance of making the playoffs after a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City (HIGHLIGHTS) on Friday. They remain just below the red line, but only one point behind SKC and the Seattle Sounders. SKC have a game in hand, and they don't expect Matt Besler to miss any time despite leaving Friday’s loss early.
3. ORLANDO STILL IN IT
Orlando CIty did their part to keep the playoff fight alive heading into #DecisionDay, as Cyle Larin scored twice to secure a 2-1 win over New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS). If they can make the playoffs, they'll have to fight on without goalkeeper Tally Hall, who will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee on Friday.
4. RED BULLS WANT THE SHIELD
He's been hesitant to talk about it all year, but New York Red Bulls coach Jesse Marsch admitted on Sunday, following their 4-1 home win against the Philadelphia Union (HIGHLIGHTS), that the club is all in for the Supporters' Shield. The race for the best regular-season record is now down to the Red Bulls and FC Dallas.
5. GRELLA SETS A RECORD
The biggest talking point of the New York-Philadelphia match was clearly Mike Grella's goal, which came after just seven seconds of play, making it the quickest goal ever in MLS. Bonus: Watch the 10 fastest goals in MLS history.
6. DALLAS ROLL ON
FC Dallas are unbeaten in four matches after ending Real Salt Lake’s long playoff streak on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Rio Tinto Stadium (HIGHLIGHTS). The result means Dallas will finish top in the Western Conference, meaning they will avoid the Knockout Round and also appear in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.
7. UNITED STRUT THEIR PLAYOFF FORM
After their 4-0 win against the Chicago Fire on Sunday (HIGHLIGHTS), D.C. Untied feel like they're finally ready for the playoffs. It was another disappointing day for the last-place Fire, whose second-half performance summed up much of their season.
8. IMPACT SECURE THEIR SPOT
Despite Orlando City breathing down their necks, the Montreal Impact clinched their place in the playoffs with a 1-0 win over the New England Revolution on Saturday (HIGHLIGHTS). Now, the pressure is on the Revs, who currently hold the final playoff spot but are only three points ahead of Orlando City. Still, they are confident they’ll secure a berth.
9. SOUNDERS STILL NOT SAFE
A late Obafemi Martins goal secured a 1-1 road draw for the Seattle Sounders at the Houston Dynamo on Sunday (HIGHLIGHTS), but the Sounders still have work to do to secure a postseason spot. Meanwhile, the Dynamo were officially eliminated.
10. THE BIRTH OF A POSTSEASON RIVALRY?
Columbus Crew SC secured their playoff place on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Toronto FC (HIGHLIGHTS), a team they could see again very soon. TFC refused to make excuses for the defeat and, while Crew SC head coach Gregg Berhalter was happy with the win, he called for greater protection for Kei Kamara. Speaking of Kamara, he picked up a yellow card vs. TFC and will now be suspended for the final weekend, all but guaranteeing that Toronto's Sebastian Giovinco will win the Audi Golden Boot.
11. #DECISIONDAY NATIONAL TV SCHEDULE
FS1 and ESPN decided which matches they will broadcast on #DecisionDay, the final day of the MLS season on Sunday, October 25. FS1 will broadcast the Columbus Crew SC vs. D.C. United and ESPN will show Sporting KC vs. LA Galaxy. Both matches will have major seeding ramifications.
12. THE LIONS' RECORD ATTENDANCE
Orlando City set a new expansion-club attendance record on Friday, after 43,179 crowded into the Citrus Bowl for the final home regular season match.
13. RHINOS WIN THE USL CHAMPIONSHIP
They got a little closer this year, but there's still no USL title for LA Galaxy II, who fell 2-1 to the Rochester Rhinos in the USL Championship last Friday. The Galaxy led the game, but two goals from substitute Asani Samuels were enough to swing things back in the Rhinos' favor.
14. KLINSMANN CALLS FOR UNITY
Jurgen Klinsmann has expressed his disappointment at what he calls the US national team’s “negative moment” and urged unity ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers. However, some are wondering if Klinsmann is responsible for driving some fans away during this slump.
15. US U-17S LEARN A TOUGH LESSON
The US were taught a tough lesson by Nigeria in their opening game of the U-17 World Cup, losing 2-0 to the reigning champions on Saturday.
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