Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. CAN TIMBERS REACH FIRST FINAL?
With a 3-1 aggregate-goal lead, the Portland Timbers visit FC Dallas on Sunday (5 pm ET, ESPN and ESPN Deportes in USA; TSN2 in Canada) looking to finish the job they started and, speaking on the latest ExtraTime Radio, Nat Borchers has described what it would mean to take the Timbers to their first MLS Cup final. FC Dallas, meanwhile, have been transformed by their young players, but they'll need their stars to step up on Sunday despite their relative anonymity.
2. CREW SC HAVE SOMETHING TO DEFEND
The New York Red Bulls host Columbus Crew SC on Sunday (7.30 pm ET, FS1 and FOX Deportes in USA; MLS LIVE in Canada) looking to overturn a two-goal deficit and, following that humbling 2-0 defeat in the first leg, head coach Jesse Marsch sat his players down for “an honest dialogue”. Crew SC, meanwhile, come into the game with something they’re not used to in the playoffs – a lead to defend.
3. BLACK FRIDAY MLS GIFT GUIDE
It's that day of the year again. You're bombarded with special offers and discounts, but don't know what to get that special someone. Here's MLSsoccer.com's special Black Friday Gift Guide to help you take advantage of the deals on MLSstore.com.
4. BWP CAN HEAR THE CHATTER
According to Bradley Wright-Phillips, there has been no contact with AFC Bournemouth regarding a loan this offseason, with the Red Bulls striker insisting he has merely heard the same rumors as everyone else.
5. MESSAGE FROM A LEGEND
Kei Kamara’s story has been well documented, so much so that it has caught the attention of African legend Didier Drogba, who took time out after the recent playoff series against Crew SC to give advice to the MVP contender, a moment that Kamara has taken to heart.
6. MLS TOUGHER THAN PREMIER LEAGUE?
Drogba speaks and people take notice. Another topic he's addressed is the comparison to the English Premier League. Which is tougher: MLS or the EPL? Having played in both competitions, Drogba feels that certain aspects of MLS make it more challenging that the English top flight.
7. FLEMMINGS RETURNING
Looks like former New York Red Bulls trialist Junior Flemmings isn’t done with the club just yet, as the young Jamaican forward has suggested he will back with RBNY in some capacity in January.
8. ADEKUGBE'S BUSINESS TRIP
It seems Vancouver Whitecaps defender Sam Adekugbe is currently training with Brighton & Hove Albion, marking the second year in a row the left back has had a spell in the UK as he continues his development.
9. THE RISE OF ROMNEY
From one rising youth star to another: 2015 has been quite the year for LA Galaxy defender Dave Romney, whose career has seen him go from trialist to the US national team.
10. MAN IN THE MIDDLE
While Cristian Roldan showed glimpses of his potential in 2015, would the rookie have enjoyed a stronger campaign if he had been played in a different position? There certainly seems to be an argument that Roldan would be better deployed in the middle of the field.
11. PRESSURE ON FOREIGN COACHES
The appointment of Patrick Vieira and Veljko Paunovic marks the arrival of two new European coaches into MLS for the 2016 season, but is there added pressure on the new entrants?
12. SKC STILL NEGOTIATING
While Sporting Kansas City may have announced the roster cuts for the end of the season, the club has apparently extended contract offers to five players who will otherwise hit the market at the end of the season.
13. PIRLO MAKES THE CUT
New York City FC's Andrea Pirlo has been shortlisted for the FIFA FIFPRO World XI, a list which runs 55 players long.
14. VICTORY TOUR IN FINAL STRETCH
The US women’s national team have just four games left on their victory tour as they continue to celebrate a successful 2015, with head coach Jill Ellis naming 29 players to the final roster, including retiring striker Abby Wambach.
15. LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR
Yesterday marked Thanksgiving, but the teams still alive in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs had the serious matter of training before they could enjoy their meals. As for the rest of us, how did you fare with our annual Thanksgiving quiz?
MLSsoccer.com Musts
ExtraTime Radio: Borchers and Loyd on Sunday’s showdown
MLS Goal of the Year: The final four
MLS Save of the Year: The semifinals continue
