Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Wild Decision Day sets the playoff scene
On the heels of a nail-biting Decision Day presented by AT&T, the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs field is now set, and you can make your MLS Cup picks for a chance to win prizes! The Knockout Round gets underway with a pair of games on Wednesday night. BRACKET CHALLENGE | PLAYOFF MATCHUPS
To start getting you all ready for the postseason party, Ben Baer put together a quick preview of all four knockout round matches. READ MORE
TFC set MLS record with Atlanta share
Sebastian Giovinco's wicked 84th minute free kick earned Supporters Shield winners Toronto FC a hard-fought 2-2 draw at Atlanta United. The late strike knocked the home side, who had gone ahead for a second time on Josef Martinez's 19th of the season, from the No. 2 seed in the East down to fourth. RECAP
Toronto FC established a new league standard for points with 69, chasing history even with the Supporters' Shield in hand and their stars were resoundly jeered throughout the match. READ MORE
The record crowd sealed two more attendance records for Atlanta United, helping drive MLS to best-ever marks with an average attendance of 22,016 and 8.2 million total fans. READ MORE
Timbers score Decision Day double
Portland closed their season with a 2-1 fightback win over derby visitors Vancouver that earned them both the Western Conference's top seed and their first Cascadia Cup triumph in five years. Liam Ridgewell and Darren Mattocks struck to help the Timbers run their Providence Park win streak to six games. RECAP
While Timbers coach Caleb Porter declared that his charges fully deserve the top seed in the West, he also warned that they will remain just as hungry in the postseason. READ MORE
"Never say die" in San Jose: They're in
San Jose pulled off more of their trademark late magic on Sunday to celebrate a 3-2 home victory against Minnesota United that earned them the final playoff berth in the West. Marco Urena's stoppage-time decider marked the seventh time this season that the Earthquakes had scored in the final 10 minutes of a game to improve their result – and fifth after the 89th minute. RECAP
An elated Chris Wondolowski (who became the only player to score against every active MLS franchise in the win) says the fact that San Jose were able to gain the required result in the dying seconds is yet more proof that the team always shows up in the gut-check moments. READ MORE
Close, but no clincher for FC Dallas, RSL
Urena's heroics at the death in San Jose left a pair of Western teams crying in their beers despite big Decision Day wins. FC Dallas looked to have put a miserable second-half stretch behind them with a 5-1 home rout of the LA Galaxy, but it was too little and too late to get them into the postseason. RECAP
Real Salt Lake were also left in the playoff lurch despite holding the sixth slot for two stretches during a 2-1 home win over Sporting KC. The hosts held on late to make good on first half-tallies from Luis Silva and Brooks Lennon. RECAP
Sounders grab Knockout Round bye
Nicolas Lodeiro bagged a double as Seattle climbed to second place in the West on the strength of a 3-0 home victory over Colorado. The result extended the Sounders' unbeaten home run to 13 games (10-0-3 with eight shutouts). RECAP
Seattle out the clean sheet win despite playing a man down for 37 minutes due to a Clint Dempsey red card. Though the star forward will miss their playoff opener, Seattle boss Brian Schmetzer insists his absence won't stall their drive for an MLS Cup repeat. READ MORE
NYCFC clinch bye after comeback draw
New York City FC and visiting Columbus trading punches in a potential postseason dress rehearsal, a 2-2 draw that left NYCFC with the No. 2 seed in the East. David Villa scored twice for the itinerant hosts, playing at nearby Citi Field, but was denied a hat-trick winner when Crew SC 'keeper Zack Steffen denied his stoppage-time spot kick. RECAP
Though many MLS observers are ready to hand the MVP award to Portland's Diego Valeri, NYCFC boss Patrick Vieira used the occasion to talk up a repeat for his star man Villa. READ MORE
Houston, RBNY score tune-up wins
Houston blanked visitors Chicago on Decision Day, locking up home-field advantage in the Knockout Round with a 3-0 triumph. Dynamo defender Leonardo scored the fast opener, added an assist and helped his side post consecutive shutouts for the first time since August. RECAP
Meanwhile, the playoff-bound New York Red Bulls spoiled the #LastCallatRFK by rallying for a 2-1 victory over D.C. United. Gonzalo Veron grabbed the winner with a quarter hour to play. RECAP
Meanwhile, in Philly and Montreal ...
The Philadelphia Union exploded for their biggest goal haul in nearly 6 1/2 years, riding braces from Ilsinho, Fafa Picault and CJ Sapong (who set a new club record with 16 tallies for the season) to a 6-1 rout of guests Orlando City. RECAP
New England finally rang up their first road win of the season on the final attempt, topping Montreal late in a 3-2 thriller. Mere moments after Matteo Mancosu had leveled matters, Kelyn Rowe struck deep into stoppage time to lift the visitors and spoil Patrice Bernier's emotional Montreal farewell. RECAP
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