Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. WHO’LL GO THROUGH?
D.C. United and the New England Revolution will kick off the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs tonight, facing off in the first Knockout Round match of the postseason at RFK Stadium (7:30 pm ET; UniMás in US, TSN2 in Canada). United will be looking to bounce back from their weekend drubbing in Columbus and secure a place in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, while the Revolution come into the game on the back of their first win in five and are looking to keep that momentum going.
2. WESTERN POWERS SET FOR SHOWDOWN
And in the nightcap we have a match-up of two teams many expect to see face off in the Conference Championship: The Seattle Sounders host the LA Galaxy in Wednesday's second Knockout Round contest (10 pm ET; UniMás in the US, TSN2 & RDS2 in Canada). The Sounders come into the match unbeaten in their last eight, but dealing with a potential Osvaldo Alonso injury situation. The Galaxy, on the other hand, are winless in their last three, but that’s behind them now as they focus on the playoffs
3. TORONTO’S TOUGH TRIP
Having already lost at Stade Saputo just this Sunday, Toronto FC face another tough trip to the Montreal Impact on Thursday (7 pm ET on UniMás in US, TSN1/4/5, RDS1 in Canada), this time with the possibility that some of their fans may not be allowed to make the journey with them for the Knockout Round contest.
4. WILL FEILHABER GET THE START?
Benny Feilhaber was surprisingly left out of Sporting KC's starting lineup on Sunday, but made all the difference for his club after entering their 2-1 win against LA after halftime. Despite his standout performance against the Galaxy, SKC coach Peter Vermes is still not sure whether or not he’ll start the MLS Best XI candidate in Thursday's Knockout Round match at Portland (10 pm ET, UniMás in US, TSN in Canada).
5. UNION 2.0?
The Philadelphia Union’s big week continued on Tuesday, as the club gave a nod to history by naming their USL club Bethlehem Steel FC. With the new minor-league side set to begin play next year and Monday's hiring of Earnie Stewart as sporting director, could this be the start of Union 2.0?
6. PETKE RUMORS HEATING UP
Could Mike Petke soon be returning to the touchline as an MLS head coach? It seems to be a possibility, as reports on Tuesday suggested that the former New York Red Bulls man has been interviewed for the vacant Chicago Fire position.
7. IT'S “THEM AGAINST US” FOR RBNY
The New York Red Bulls have reveled in proving people wrong this season and, despite having won the Supporters’ Shield, that mentality apparently isn’t going away until the club lifts MLS Cup, with head coach Jesse Marsch imploring the press to keep piling on the pressure.
8. MCINERNEY HAPPY TO HELP
Jack McInerney was pleased he was able to step up for Columbus Crew SC while filling in for the suspended Kei Kamara on Sunday, scoring a goal and adding an assist in Crew SC's dominant victory against DC. Now, can the midseason acquisition keep it going if called upon in the playoffs?
9. ORLANDO’S POSTSEASON TRIP
Orlando City’s season may be over, but that doesn’t mean the team will be going their separate ways for the winter just yet, as the club has announced a November friendly in Brazil against Flamengo.
10. BIG DECISIONS AWAIT
Plenty will be on the line during the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, but the eight teams that didn't qualify aren't exactly out of the woods, either, with some facing club-defining decisions in the coming weeks.
11. IT AIN’T EASY BEING GREEN
With both New York City FC and Orlando City missing out on the playoffs in their inaugural MLS seasons, is it fair to say that it’s now more difficult than ever for an expansion team to make the playoffs? We’ll have to wait until 2017 for our next chance to find out.
12. LAMPARD’S TOUGH LOVE
New York City FC’s Frank Lampard spent Tuesday being honored by the British Monarchy, receiving an OBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. The midfielder also dished on his first season in MLS, sharing some thoughts on NYCFC’s performance this season.
13. PIRLO POURS COLD WATER ON LOAN RUMORS
After recently stating that he hadn’t given any thought to his offseason plans, New York City FC midfielder Andrea Pirlo doused any rumors about a potential offseason loan on Tuesday, saying that he's only thinking about getting ready for NYCFC's 2016 season.
14. IS ZELALEM STAYING OR GOING?
US prospect Gedion Zelalem is currently doing his thing up in Scotland, on loan with Glasgow Rangers, but will that situation continue? According to a new report, the Scottish Championship side are waiting to find out in the next few days if they can keep the Arsenal midfielder until the end of the season.
15. PLAY LIKE A GIRL
The US women’s national team was at the White House on Tuesday, where they were honored by US President Barack Obama -- who quipped that “playing like a girl means you’re a badass.” Never one to shy away from the spotlight, Abby Wambach announced her retirement from international soccer later the same day.
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