Kick Off: MLS Cup berth at stake tonight in Canada | Swans eyeing Birnbaum?

Greg Seltzer

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:

The final frontier

With their Eastern Conference Championship duel against rivals Montreal Impact all set for Wednesday's deciding leg against Montreal (7 pm ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes in USA; TSN and RDS in Canada), Toronto FC are counting on the leadership of skipper Michael Bradley to guide them to a rally victory. And the Reds sure sense the urgency to win now with the current squad.

Impact zone

ESPN FC's Jason Davis writes that, based on the opener, Montreal should feel confident that they can own the midfield in the second leg, which could prove to be the latest masterstroke by head coach Mauro Biello, the Montreal native who was the subject of this feature. Speaking of the Impact, they will be able to count on the support of 500 supporters who sold out the club's ticket allotment for the trip to Toronto.

Staff picks

Some of our scribes have offered up their choices for who might prove the fulcrum for a potential winning effort in the climactic leg of tonight's Eastern Conference Championship series.

Yo, Adrian!

Adrian Heath was named as the first boss of expansion side Minnesota United on Tuesday, and he enters the door ready to get started roster-building with GM Manny Lagos.

Extended stay

After effectively killing rumors he could take over the LA Galaxy's top job by signing a contract extension through 2019, Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes declared that he's exactly where he belongs.

Birn notice

ESPN's Marc Stein reports that D.C. United have agreed to extension terms with defender Steve Birnbaum. Meanwhile, an English report claims Swansea City manager Bob Bradley has designs on augmenting his back line with either Birnbaum or USMNT teammate Matt Besler in January.

Squad game

After Bruce Arena spoke about his plans for the US national team moving forward, Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle made an attempt at guessing the roster the new USMNT boss will call into January camp, which is traditionally dominated by MLS selections.

Shopping list

The Mane Land blog has come up with five MLS players Orlando City should chase this offseason.

Up for grabs

Local blog Eighty Six Forever has tried to guess the players that Vancouver will protect in the Expansion Draft.

Ticos target?

Speaking of expansion teams, Atlanta United have been linked to Costa Rica defender Francisco Calvo, one of several Saprissa players currently rumored to have MLS interest.

Melo fellow

Though he's recently been linked to a pair of clubs back in his native Brazil, Inter Milan midfielder Felipe Melo continues to air hope for an MLS future – specifically mentioning Orlando as a desirable destination.