Here are the 15 stories we're talking about this morning:
1. MLS #DECISIONDAY COMING THIS SUNDAY
#DecisionDay, a.k.a. the final day of the MLS regular season, will see everything decided, including the final playoff spots and the Supporters' Shield. Also at stake are the Audi Golden Boot, the assist leader, and potential CONCACAF Champions League spots. Before the action kicks off at 5 pm ET, and MLSsoccer.com will have a live 90-minute pregame show to get you totally prepared.
2. CAN REVS FINALLY CLINCH?
The New England Revolution need one point to book their place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs when they visit New York City FC (Sunday, 5 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Amid the team's preparations, midfielder Jermaine Jones talked about his soon-to-expire contract. Speaking of contracts, a Manchester City player is eyeing a move stateside when his current contract runs out.
3. CAN ORLANDO MAKE IT?
Orlando City, who face the Philadelphia Union (Sunday, 5 pm ET, MLS LIVE), need the Revs to stumble if they are going to reach the postseason. Lions star Kaká will be back from suspension, buoyed by another call up to Brazilian national team for their November qualifiers. The eliminated Union will soon make a decision about Vincent Nogueira's contract option, but the player himself is keen to stay.
4. SOUNDERS STILL YET TO SECURE PLAYOFF BERTH
Out West, the Seattle Sounders have yet to lock up a playoff place, and head coach Sigi Schmid is well aware of the pressure his side are under heading into their clash with Real Salt Lake (Sunday, 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). Having failed to qualify for the playoffs, RSL head coach Jeff Cassar faces a very different type of pressure.
5. CAN THE RAPIDS SPOIL TIMBERS' PARTY?
The Colorado Rapids played spoiler for Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, and they'll have a chance to do it again when they visit the Portland Timbers (Sunday 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). They Timbers are still not assured of a playoff spot, but they do have Fanendo Adi, who finally seems to have found his best form when it matters most.
6. SPORTING KC'S "FINAL"
After the midweek upset, Sporting KC now need a win against visiting LA Galaxy (7 pm ET, ESPN in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) to guarantee a playoff place. Head coach Peter Vermes rightly terms the game "a final." For the Galaxy, the match is about seeding, trying to secure 2nd place, and avoiding the Knockout Round.
7. QUAKES OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
The San Jose Earthquakes are the odd-club out in the West heading into their crunch clash at FC Dallas (Sunday, 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). The Quakes need a win plus other results to go their way to sneak into the playoffs. One key will be goalkeeper David Bingham, who could set a record in the process.
8. SUPPORTERS' SHIELD SHOWDOWN
The Supporters' Shield competition between Dallas and the New York Red Bulls will play out simultaneously on Sunday. While Dallas is hosting the Quakes, aiming to complete another of their season goals, the Red Bulls will be playing the Chicago Fire (Sunday, 7 pm ET, MLS LIVE). New York have the Supporters’ Shield lead, and they plan to take a “smart” approach to the game.
9. THE BENNYBALL ERA?
Columbus Crew SC and D.C. United square off with second place in the Eastern Conference on the line (Sunday, 5 pm ET, FS1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). Head coach Gregg Berhalter delivered a message to Crew SC fans ahead of the game, but with United coach Ben Olsen's so-called "BennyBall" tactics rounding back into form, is this D.C.'s time to shine?
10. CANADIAN SIDES BATTLE FOR POSITION
The Montreal Impact host Toronto FC(Sunday, 5 pm ET, TSN4 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) in a battle for playoff positioning. The Impact's Patrice Bernier feels his club doesn’t get the respect it deserves, though his teammate did win the AT&T Goal of the Week. For TFC, a simple draw will guarantee a home playoff game in this, the first year the Reds have ever qualified for the postseason.
11. WHITECAPS DROPPED IN HONDURAS
The third Canadian MLS club, Vancouver Whitecaps, fell to CD Olimpia on Thursday in their final CONCACAF Champions League game and now return home to face the Houston Dynamo (Sunday, 7 pm ET, TSN2 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). Their goal is to win and hopefully avoid the Knockout Round. The Dynamo, meanwhile, have little to play for but except for some last-minute player assessments.
12. SPORTING KC UNVEIL SWOPE PARK RANGERS
SKC will join several other MLS clubs next year with their own USL side. The Swope Park Rangers will begin play in 2016.
13. MORE MEXICANS FOR MLS?
It’s not just former El Tri manager Miguel "Piojo" Herrera being linked with an MLS club at the moment, but also a number of his former players are also being rumoured with moves here. According to reports, Carlos Vela has asked to leave Real Sociedad to join an MLS club, and Chicharito is being floated as a potential target for LAFC.
14. LAST CHANCE FOR US U-17S
The US U-17s take on host nation Chile today in their final group game of the FIFA U-17 World Cup (7 pm ET, FS2) knowing they need both a win and the other game between Croatia and Nigeria to go their way if they want to stay alive in the tournament.
15. THE NAME ON THE BACK
Who are the most popular players in MLS? If we answer that based on jersey sales, the answer is Clint Dempsey. Here are the 20 best-selling MLS jerseys.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
The origins of the Supporters’ Shield
ExtraTime Radio: #DecisionDay drama
Jay and K | MLS Insider presented by adidas
