Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
All she wrote!
The 2016 regular season wrapped up with Decision Day on Sunday, setting up the field for the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs. Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle looked back on all the action to put the bow on the campaign to date and Will Parchman looked ahead with his preview of the four Knockout Round matches that will kick off the postseason in midweek.
Not finished yet
After US Open Cup champs FC Dallas secured the Supporters' Shield with a scoreless draw against the LA Galaxy on Sunday, FCD boss Oscar Pareja declared them willing and able to become the first MLS team to complete a domestic treble by taking MLS Cup.
Mission accomplished
The Seattle Sounders completed a stunning season rally by clinching a postseason berth with a 2-1 Decision Day win over Real Salt Lake. They even secured a home match for the Knockout Round against Sporting Kansas City on Thursday (10 pm ET on FS1, UniMás in USA, MLS LIVE in Canada).
Taking the prize
The Vancouver Whitecaps clinched their third Cascadia Cup in four years with a 4-1 rout of rivals Portland Timbers that left the outgoing MLS Cup champs bathed in disappointment.
Up for the Cup
Bradley Wright-Phillips scored again to claim his second Golden Boot in the Red Bulls' 2-0 victory at Philadelphia, but now he has loftier goals for the playoffs.
Good on his word
New York City FC topped Columbus Crew SC 4-1 to grab the second seed in the East, fulfilling a promise made by star man David Villa on Decision Day last year.
Gettin' stingy
By posting their second straight shutout, Sporting Kansas City finally secured a playoff spot with a 2-0 home win over the San Jose Earthquakes. They'll still have to hit the road to take on the Seattle Sounders in a West Knockout Round match on Thursday (10 pm ET on FS1, UniMás in USA, MLS LIVE in Canada).
Pay no attention...
Despite watching his previously hot side suffer a 4-2 loss at Orlando City on Sunday, D.C. United coach Ben Olsen says they're ready to make a playoff run. It starts with a home Knockout Round tie vs. the Montreal Impact on Thursday (UniMás in USA, RDS2 and MLS LIVE in Canada).
Reheated
Toronto FC got back to winning ways just in time for the playoffs thanks to a 3-2 home decision against the Chicago Fire. They next host the Philadelphia Union in a Wednesday Knockout Round match (ESPN2, UniMás, TSN2).
Elsewhere...
The Colorado Rapids ended the season as the lone MLS club with an unbeaten home record thanks to a 1-1 Decision Day draw with Houston. Meanwhile, New England fell just shy of the red line despite mauling Montreal 3-0 on Sunday.
Homeward bound?
LA Galaxy star Steven Gerrard is reportedly in talks with former club Liverpool about a coaching job. But his primary focus right now is a West Knockout Round match on Wednesday night against Real Salt Lake (10:30 pm ET on UniMás in USA, MLS LIVE in Canada).
Mo bad luck
Just as he was ready to make his season debut on Decision Day, Philadelphia Union midfielder Maurice Edu ended a miserable 2016 campaign by breaking his leg in training.
We are the champions
New York Red Bulls II completed a successful season by winning USL Cup with a dominant 5-1 rout of Swope Park Rangers.
He's at it again!
Borussia Dortmund wunderkind Christian Pulisic bagged the stoppage-time equalizer and added an assist in a 3-3 rally draw vs. Ingolstadt on Saturday.
Off the rack
Fox Soccer's Rob Stone dazzled with an MLS logo sport coat on Decision Day.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
Take the 2016 MLS Playoffs Bracket Challenge
Watch: Sigi Schmid fills out his MLS Cup bracket
MLS Now: What went wrong with Portland this year?
