Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
And the nominees are...
Major League Soccer announced all of the year-end award finalists on Tuesday and the voters have created a bit of controversy. Ben Baer says the MVP snub of Toronto FC ace Sebastian Giovinco is among the worst of all-time. Meanwhile, the folks in Seattle are griping that Nicolas Lodeiro also should have been nominated for that top prize.
Back in the New York groove
Montreal star Didier Drogba has returned to training and looks set to play a part when their Eastern Conference Semifinal switches to Red Bull Arena on Sunday (4 pm ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes in USA; RDS and TSN5 in Canada).
Lethal weapon
With so much focus paid to Giovinco and Jozy Altidore, Tosaint Ricketts has proven to be Toronto FC's ace in the hole.
Key chain
Sam Stejskal has provided one key for each team ahead of Sunday's Conference Semifinal deciding legs.
Good (and bad) actors
Ben Couch has come up with a list of unlikely heroes who could make the difference in the Conference Semifinal closing legs, while Arielle Castillo runs down the list of heroes and villains created during the postseason thus far.
Sideline view
Coaching moves and tactics have had a major impact on the postseason thus far and Will Parchman has compiled a list of the five most influential coaching moves of the first two rounds of playoff games.
Cardiac kids
Do you support a team that needs to overcome a deficit this weekend? Well, take hope: Sam Stejskal has ranked the top five rallies in MLS Cup Playoff history.
Value buys
ESPN's Noah Davis wonders if Designated Players of a certain age are worth the risk.
The graduates
Generation adidas has nine graduates from the 2016 class. One of them, Philadelphia Union netminder Andre Blake, will likely attract many international suitors this weekend, according to one local daily.
Report cards
The Portland Mercury has dished out season grades for Timbers players.
Re-Fired?
A Polish report claims former Fire left back Krzysztof Krol could return to Chicago next season.
Making friends
Orlando City have announced a technical partnership with Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense.
Fond memories
With another big USA vs. Mexico World Cup qualifier set for Columbus next week, DaMarcus Beasley and Oguchi Onyewu recently reminisced about the Nats' 2005 World Cup qualifying victory over their arch rivals at the same site.
The naughty list
Hamburg striker Bobby Wood has been hit with a three-game ban.
MLSsoccer.com Musts:
MLS Now: No suspension for David Villa
Audi Index: Analyzing the West
Watch: The top skills from October
