Welcome to Starting XI, our Friday rundown of what to watch for this weekend in MLS and beyond. And don't forget to get your Spanish-language fix with FutbolMLS.com.
With two spots in MLS Cup 2014 on the line, it's all about the second legs of the Conference Championship series this weekend. You'll find everything you possibly need to know right here.
And while you're catching up, do it with our recommended listening for the week from Editor-in-Chief Greg Lalas: "LIve and Let Die," by Paul McCartney & Wings.
- Click HERE for complete MLS Cup Playoffs coverage
1. BLOCK OFF YOUR CALENDAR: Check the playoff TV listings here for the USA and Canada this weekend. It's 3 pm ET on Saturday for the Eastern Conference Championship between New England and New York (NBCSN, UDN in USA and TSN2, RDS2 in Canada) and 9:20 pm ET on Sunday for another epic Seattle-LA showdown in the West (ESPN, ESPN Deportes, WatchESPN, RDS2 and a Canada-only stream on MLSsoccer.com).
And if you're planning on attending the matches, you'll be part of huge crowds whether you're in New England (BUY tickets here), where Revolution president Brian Bilello is expecting a record-breaking crowd possibly north of 30,000, or in Seattle, where huge crowds are par for the course (BUY tickets here).
11. HAPPY THANKSGIVING: Belated (especially for our friends in Canada). Good luck with all your Black Friday shopping and navigating the annual MLSsoccer.com Thanksgiving trivia.
