Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:
Red Bulls unceremoniously bounce Chicago
The New York Red Bulls moved on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a confident 4-0 rout of Knockout Round hosts Chicago on Wednesday night. The visitors' big three of Bradley-Wright Phillips, Sacha Kljestan and Daniel Royer each pitched in with a goal. RECAP
Red Bulls boss Jesse Marsch and his charges say they had a winning feeling before the game even started, and their play backed up the collective premonition. READ MORE
For the Fire, focus now turns to the question of whether Bastian Schweinsteiger will return next season. READ MORE
Whitecaps cruise past San Jose
Vancouver broke open a close game with a four-goal deluge in the second half to score a 5-0 victory over knockout round visitors San Jose on Wednesday night. The home side got five saves from Stefan Marinovic, including a big early free kick denial of Anibal Godoy while the game was still scoreless. RECAP
Following the game, Charles Boehm notes how the Western Conference playoff scene has turned into a Cascadia party that the rest of us can enjoy. READ MORE
Crew SC enter Hot-Lanta cauldron
Atlanta United and their massive crowd of rowdy fans will "welcome" Columbus Crew SC for a Knockout Round match on Thursday night (7 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMás in the US; TSN4, TVAS in Canada). While Gregg Berhalter's boys will arrive on a 10-game unbeaten run, they lost in both regular season meetings with the Five Stripes. PREVIEW
Sam Polak has listed the three things Columbus need to do if they want to escape Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a victory. READ MORE
Dynamo, Sporting KC clash again
The Houston Dynamo and Sporting KC can't seem to avoid bumping into each other lately. After meeting twice earlier in the month, the teams will reunite at BBVA Compass Stadium for Thursday's knockout round game (9:30 pm ET | UniMás in the US; TSN4, TVAS in Canada). Though the Sporting took their US Open duel back in June, Houston are unbeaten in the teams' last eight league meetings (4-0-4). PREVIEW
Not only have Houston owned this series in recent years, but they've also fared well when facing Sporting KC in the postseason. The teams have squared off in the playoffs four times since 2007, with the Dynamo advancing three times. READ MORE
Warshaw: Playoff games a different breed
Drawing from his experiences as a player, Bobby Warshaw writes that it's a whole new ballgame when you enter the playoffs. READ MORE
Heath on the lookout for new Loons
Their season only ended a few days ago, but Minnesota United boss Adrian Heath is already plotting to make several changes to the roster. The Loons coach is set to embark on a foreign scouting trip. READ MORE
Lions back in for Sertic?
According to French outlet L'Equipe, Orlando City could make another run at Marseille defender Gregory Sertic in January. The Lions attempted to sign the 28-year-old last winter, but he opted instead to join the Velodrome crew.
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