Kick Off: Rapids can go top of MLS tonight | Sounders miss chance to clinch

Greg Seltzer

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

Fit to be tied

Hurt by the ejection of midfield general Ozzie Alonso, Seattle failed to clinch an Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoff berth by settling for a scoreless home share with the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday night.

Sounding off

Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle still asks the question: Can the Seattle Sounders win it all this year? Even before they get a chance to answer, some say interim head coach Brian Schmetzer has already done enough to earn the permanent job.

MLS Matchday Live shows

The Sounders' quest to make the playoffs will be just one of the many Week 33 stories that will be tackled by the crew of analysts that will make up the special MLS Matchday Live shows at 2 pm ET (pregame) and 7:30 pm ET (postgame) this Sunday on MLSsoccer.com and Facebook. Get the details here.

Badji ball

Colorado has a chance to use their game in hand to claim the Supporters' Shield lead when the San Jose Earthquakes come calling tonight (9 pm ET on MLS LIVE). With four goals in the last five games, Rapids forward Dominique Badji is suddenly leading their charge.

There's always next year

As Chicago and Columbus get set to meet tonight (8:30 pm ET on MLS LIVE), our own Andrew Wiebe writes that those two clubs and all the others eliminated from the playoff race have plenty of reasons to carry optimism into 2017.

Bes-man

After a strong showing against New Zealand for the USA, will Matt Besler be able to find his way back into Sporting KC's line-up this weekend?

The missing ingredient

Local writer Nick Green says the LA Galaxy are missing precisely the field element that left with midfielder Nigel de Jong.

Freshman class

The Philadelphia Union have given their rookies a ton of playing time, and the youngsters have rewarded the club for it.

Running the numbers

MLS stats partner Opta Sports has come up with 18 interesting stats for the Week 33 matchups.

Acclimate control

ESPNFC scribe Jeff Carlisle looks at the way clubs are helping foreign players settle into their new surroundings in MLS.

Lineup suggestions

Franco Panizo offers up his picks for the USMNT's starting XI for next month's World Cup qualifying Hexagonal opener against rivals Mexico.

Attention seekers

Spurred on by their continued outsider status with the US national team, FC Dallas' standout central defense duo of Matt Hedges and Walker Zimmerman are determined to earn call-ups.