Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. SAVING GRACE FOR RSL
Although Real Salt Lake missed out on the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs this year, Jamison Olave ensured that their 2016 season will include some knockout round action, as his headed goal was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Municipal and move RSL on to the quarterfinals in February.
2. CAN SKC BOOK THEIR PLACE?
Sporting Kansas City host the Colorado Rapids tonight (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) with a chance to secure their place in this year’s playoffs. SKC players have written a letter to fans, urging them to continue their fantastic support, while the Rapids have two opportunities to play spoiler to someone’s season this week. The other important question: Will defender Matt Besler be fit to play for SKC tonight?
3. ARENA STAYING HOME
The LA Galaxy are already through to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and have their playoff seeding to worry about on #DecisionDay, so associate head coach Dave Sarachan will lead the Galaxy on their trip to visit Guatemalan club CSD Comunicaciones (10 pm ET, Fox Soccer Plus), as Bruce Arena makes preparations for Sporting Kansas City on Sunday (7 pm ET, ESPN and ESPN Deportes). A Galaxy win in Guatemala, however, would mean the top seed in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals.
4. LONG TRIP FOR 'CAPS
With the Seattle Sounders having already won their Champions League group, the Vancouver Whitecaps' game against Olimpia on Thursday (10 pm ET, FOX Soccer GO in USA) has no serious ramifications, yet the Whitecaps have been forced to include a number of first-team players on their travel roster.
5. LARIN LIVES UP TO HYPE
Cyle Larin was widely predicted to be the No. 1 pick in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, with many expecting big things for the Canadian striker prior to the start of the season. Those people have since been proven right, as the record-breaking rookie has more than lived up to the hype in his first year with Orlando City.
6. MIAMI HEATING UP?
David Beckham’s push for a Miami expansion side may be on the verge of taking a big step forward with reports on Tuesday that Tim Leiweke, who has been at the helm of the LA Galaxy and Toronto FC in MLS, will be joining Beckham's investor group. The Miami-Dade council could also be set to vote on approving the team’s potential stadium site as early as December.
7. NO VALERI FOR THE TIMBERS
The Portland Timbers only need a point against the Colorado Rapids on Sunday to absolutely guarantee their place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, but they will have to try and earn it without Diego Valeri, as Caleb Porter confirms the Argentine playmaker is set to miss the game through suspension.
8. BATTLE FOR SECOND
Finishing first or second in your conference means avoiding a single-elimination Knockout Round match on short rest next Wednesday or Thursday, not to mention higher seeding could potentially spell a home advantage in MLS Cup, and so D.C. United find themselves with plenty to play for against Columbus Crew SC this Sunday (5 pm ET, FS1 and FOX Deportes in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada).
9. CHANGE OF PLANS
As #DecisionDay draws near, there’s a quick but important schedule change, as the New York Red Bulls' match against the Chicago Fire has been moved from 5 pm to 7 pm ET (ESPN3, MLS LIVE) on Sunday so that they and FC Dallas, both chasing the Supporters’ Shield, kick off simultaneously. MLS is also expanding its partnership with Twitter to ensure the final day of the season is the most interactive yet.
10. RED BULLS NEWS
With that schedule change in mind, the New York Red Bulls are working to help any of their fans whose plans may have been affected by the time change. Meanwhile, are the No. 1 team in the Eastern Conference also looking for a stadium naming rights partner?
11. BRADLEY TO FRANCE?
Could Bob Bradley be set to move up the coaching ladder? The former MLS and US national team coach may not have landed the Sunderland vacancy recently but, according to the latest reports from France, Bradley is in consideration to become the new manager of Le Havre, which currently sit in12th place in Ligue 2.
12. UPHILL BATTLE FOR US U-17S
The US’ second match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup ended in a 2-2 draw with Croatia and, while the US did not lose, they let a two-goal lead slip away in the second half. Richie Williams’ side now face tournament hosts Chile on Friday with a chance to advance.
13. WAS KLINSMANN RIGHT?
There was plenty of debate around the Fabian Johnson injury situation during the most recent pair of USMNT matches. But with Johnson playing the full 90 minutes for Borussia Monchengladbach over the weekend, was Klinsmann right to drop the US international from his squad?
14. BEST MLS PLAYER OF ALL-TIME?
That's the discussion around Toronto FC's Italian international Sebastian Giovinco. And it's not just about the numbers he's put up. See what some of the league's veterans think about where Giovinco's season ranks in the 20-year history of the league.
15. MEXICO vs. USA, CCL STYLE
The Champions League group stage not only determines which clubs advance to the quarterfinals of the competition. The seedings and match-ups are also determined based on group finish. And it's looking very likely we could get a fair share of USA-Mexico quarterfinal pairings.
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