Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. RED BULLS BANISH PLAYOFF DEMONS
The New York Red Bulls supporters unveiled a massive tifo honoring Budweiser Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips on Thursday, and he repaid their respect with two goals as the Red Bulls came from behind to beat Sporting Kansas City, 2-1 (HIGHLIGHTS) in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. The victory was the club's first playoff win at Red Bull Arena. New York now face their Atlantic Cup rivals, D.C. United (Sunday, 4 pm ET, UDN).
2. GOODBYE, CHAMPS
For Sporting KC, the defender MLS Cup champions, the season is over. But head coach Peter Vermes feels his players did themselves proud in defeat. Graham Zusi was less forgiving: "We kind of got away from what made us us. We pride ourselves on being a team who limits our mistakes, and for one reason or another, we started making those mistakes.”
3. INTRODUCING MLS’ NEWEST CLUB
MLS unveiled on Thursday a new team in Los Angeles and its ownership group, a collection of experienced heavyhitters from the financial, sports, and entertainment industries. The new team is currently known as Los Angeles Football Club , or LAFC, but the owners made it clear that the official name, colors, and crest are still to be decided before the team debuts in 2017.
4. THE NEW LA RIVALRY
As LAFC begin to build their club, the first order of business will be to identify a stadium site. Then, eventually, they can then turn their attention to one of their competitive goals: building their rivalry with the LA Galaxy. "Great adversaries on the field create great fan interest, media interest...Every movie needs a hero and a villain. Every combination needs drama. We're in the drama business," LAFC Executive Director Peter Guber said. On the other side, Galaxy President Chris Klein said LAFC's presence “doesn’t change what we do at all.”
5. RSL HOST GALAXY
Speaking of the Galaxy, they travel to Real Salt Lake on Saturday (8 pm ET, NBCSN, RDS2) for first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals. Here are six things you need to know about the match. RSL believe that, if they want to have any chance of progressing, they must find a way to stop the Galaxy’s deadly attacking trio. That trio includes Robbie Keane, who expects to play on Saturday despite his nagging hamstring injury, and Landon Donovan, who got some more love from Grantland.
6. CREW'S PLAYOFF INEXPERIENCE
The Columbus Crew welcome the New England Revolution to Crew Stadium on Saturday (4 pm ET, UDN, MLS LIVE) for the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal. The home side have won five of their last six matches, but their lack of playoff experience could be an issue. Regardless, the Revs know that beating the Crew is no easy task at the moment.
7. UNITED ARE BACK
Let's return to the previously mentioned D.C. United-New York series. Eastern Conference #1 seeds United will travel to Red Bull Arena, site of the famous "snow game" in 2012, and are relishing their return to the postseason following their miserable 2013. Even Washington Mayor Vincent C. Gray is getting United playoff fever.
8. PRESSURE ON THE SOUNDERS
As the Seattle Sounders prepare for the first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals against FC Dallas (Sunday, 9 pm ET, ESPN2 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada), the pressure is mounting on the top-seeded Sounders, especially on goalkeeper Stefan Frei. But defender Chad Marshall seems calm: He's struck by the similarities between the 2014 Sounders and the 2008 MLS Cup-winning Columbus Crew.
9. PAREJA: THANK YOU, FANS
Down in Texas, FC Dallas could have hard-nosed midfielder Adam Moffat back available for Sunday's match, while head coach Oscar Pareja thanked the fans for the part they played in helping his side top the Vancouver Whitecaps.
10. SEEING THE WOOD FROM THE TREES
So what does the offseason hold for the Portland Timbers? One man who might know is General Manager Gavin Wilkinson and he suggests that there might not be too many changes to the first team next season.
11. WHITECAPS STAY POSITIVE
Their playoff campaign may have ended in disappointment but rather than dwell on the manner of their defeat, the Vancouver Whitecaps are staying positive and focusing on building for next season.
12. LIGHTING A FIRE IN CHICAGO
With just one appearance in the playoffs in the last five seasons, are the Chicago Fire overdue for a title-contending team? One observer has a few suggestions, starting with going on a shopping spree.
13. DOES HALL’S ARRIVAL CHANGE ORLANDO’S PLANS?
Now that Orlando City have captured goalkeeper Tally Hall, the former Houston Dynamo goalkeeper is already looking to become part of the family in Florida. Does Hall's arrival change Orlando's strategy in the expansion draft?
14. GOOCH FINDS A HOME, SORT OF
Former US international Oguchi Onyewu has been a free agent for a while now, but he's finally signed a short-term deal with a club an English Championship club.
15. HERRERA NOT CONVINCED ABOUT KLINSI
There seem to be a number of people who disagree with Jurgen Klinsmann’s appearance on FIFA’s shortlist for coach of the year, chief among them Mexico manager Miguel Hererra. “He hasn’t done anything to be there. I’d say [Jorge Luis] Pinto did more with Costa Rica,” Herrera said.
MLSsoccer.com Musts
MLS Insider: Family, football and the legacy of Luca DeLaGarza
Armchair Analyst: Subs change the game & stars step up for Red Bulls
ExtraTime Radio: Lee Nguyen, MLS Playoff Previews & the USMNT
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