Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Sunday planner
October 16 is truly one of the special days on the MLS calendar. It's Week 33, the penultimate day of the regular season, and all 20 teams will be in action over the course of four hours. It's one of those days where the official MLS app will come in handy, as well as the special $7.99 MLS LIVE one-day pass to watch the action.
And with plenty of playoff verdicts set to be handed down – not to mention the race for the Supporters' Shield and Golden Boot – you'll also want to be sure to watch the special MLS Matchday Live pregame (2 pm ET) and postgame shows (7:30 pm ET) on MLSsoccer.com and Facebook.
Top priority
That first MLS Matchday Live pregame show (2 pm ET – 3pm ET) will also feature the Expansion Priority Draft between Minnesota United and Atlanta United FC. The 2017 expansion teams will determine who gets first dibs in the various player drafts and other acquisition mechanisms over the coming weeks and months leading into next season.
Into the penthouse
Back to the 2016 season and the Colorado Rapids grabbing the Supporters' Shield lead on Thursday by topping San Jose 2-1 on Thursday night. After the game, Rapids boss Pablo Mastroeni lavished praise on his charges for their collective determination.
Spoiler junction
A pair of rivals that fell shy of the red line, Chicago and Columbus, met up on Thursday to battle out a 2-2 draw. The Fire will go back to playing the spoiler role when their homestand continues against playoff contenders New England on Sunday (3 pm ET on MLS LIVE).
Beasts of the East
Our editors kick around a hot topic: Which New York side will finish atop the Eastern Conference? The Red Bulls will try to hang on to first place when they host Columbus on Sunday (3 pm ET on MLS LIVE) while NYCFC simultaneously wagers their league-best road record at D.C. United (3 pm ET on MLS LIVE).
Shorthanded
The Seattle Sounders will take another shot at clinching a playoff berth when they visit FC Dallas on Sunday (5 pm ET on MLS LIVE). They must do so without playmaker Andreas Ivanschitz, who may miss the remainder of the regular season with a knee complaint.
All about Steve
Steven Gerrard has flown to Liverpool for hamstring treatment and looks set to miss the LA Galaxy's Sunday trip to Houston (5 pm ET on MLS LIVE).
Reunited
MLSsoccer.com's The Word catches up with old college pals Alejandro Bedoya and Charlie Davies, who are together again in Philadelphia. They will try to help the Union shoot for a postseason clincher when Orlando City come to town on Sunday (3 pm ET on MLS LIVE).
Last stand
Defending MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers will try to keep their playoff hopes alive when the Rapids pay a visit on Sunday (5 pm ET on ESPN in USA, MLS LIVE in Canada). Here are a few tactical reasons why the Timbers might be in this position to begin with this year.
Drama in store
In the East, the Montreal Impact will welcome rivals Toronto FC (3 pm ET on ESPN, TSN2, RDS) with both jockeying for playoff position. Over in the West, Sporting KC will invade Rio Tinto Stadium to face Real Salt Lake (5 pm ET on MLS LIVE) as both aim to move closer to a postseason berth.
Doff of the 'Caps
Sam Stejskal runs down 10 of the top surprises of the 2016 season, one of which involves Vancouver. On Sunday, the Whitecaps will visit San Jose (5 pm ET on TSN, MLS LIVE in USA).
Five star buildings
Looking past Week 33 for a moment, Phil West gives us the lowdown on the five new stadiums set to open over the next two years.
Setting the stage
Bob Bradley held his first pre-match press conference ahead of their weekend EPL tilt at Arsenal.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
TFC boss Greg Vanney stops by to chat with ExtraTime Radio
Part 2 of the Defenders series with NYCFC's Ronald Matarrita
Audi Index: Who are the top-ranked forwards in MLS?
