Kick Off: MLS Cup week is finally here | Almiron to Atlanta talk heats up

Greg Seltzer

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

Keyed up

With MLS Cup 2016 between the Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC set for Saturday (8 pm ET on FOX and UniMás in USA; TSN and RDS in Canada), Alicia Rodriguez has come up with five keys to the championship match.

At long last

After more than 500 combined MLS games, the Seattle original trio of Ozzie Alonso, Brad Evans and Zach Scott are finally set to vie for an MLS Cup.

Friendly foe

Though they are set to have to deal with his threat, Toronto FC's Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley admit they're big fans of Seattle rookie ace (and US teammate) Jordan Morris.

Repping for the city

After quite the down period, The Globe & Mail says Toronto FC are leading the local sports resurgence.

Tix fix

The public sale for MLS Cup tickets begins on Monday.

It's been fun

Having bid farewell to the Montreal Impact, Didier Drogba took time to reflect on his time with the club.

Captain contract

Now done with the MLS Cup Playoff race, Montreal skipper Patrice Bernier is hoping to ink a new deal with the club.

Quake tremors

The San Jose Earthquakes have been busy getting ready for next season and Fatai Alashe and David Bingham were among six players who had contract options exercised. Meanwhile, a report says former Sunderland technical director Lee Congerton is one of five finalists for the club's GM job.

Hot-lanta gossip

Atlanta United have stoked speculation that they are set to unveil rising Paraguay star Miguel Almiron as a Designated Player signing. The talk was then fanned again when the Lanus playmaker was spotted at the Falcons game with technical director Carlos Bocanegra on Sunday.

Transfer talk

A South American report claims hot topic Ecuador Under-20 left back Anibal Chala is close to sealing a move to FC Dallas.

Win, win, win

D.C. United Homegrown signing Chris Durkin set up the winner as the US Under-17 national team completed a friendly tournament sweep by blanking Brazil in Florida this weekend.

Net gains

A pair of Americans rang the bell overseas this weekend, with Bjorn Maars Johnsen netting his fifth of the term in a Hearts draw. Over in Germany's second flight, in-form Sandhausen forward Andrew Wooten scored his ninth of the season to open a win at FC Nuremberg.