So the Indy 11 wrap up their 2nd home season on Saturday night at “The Mike” – A free team photo will be given out to the first 5000 fans with tickets starting at just $10 for Fan Appreciation Night, also enjoy $5 ft long hot dogs and soda specials.
So Sunday is decision Day in the MLS – as the last 3 spots in the Western Conference and the last spot in the East is up for grabs along with who will win the Supporter’s Shield (best regular season record) the New York Redbulls or FC Dallas with former Carmel High star Matt Hedges. All games Sunday will be on either Fox Sports 1 or Online on ESPN 3. Also Sunday the US Ladies face Brazil at 2:30 on FS1, followed by our nearest MLS Team – the Columbus Crew vs DC United at 5 on Fox Sports 1 in the battle for 2nd in the East, and Sporting KC vs LA Galaxy at 7 pm on ESPN as Sporting KC and US Internationals Graham Zuzi and Matt Beasler try to hold on to the final playoff spot in the West.
Also Sunday the Manchester Darby matches #2 Man U vs #1 Man City at 10 am on NBC sports Network as the Red Devils look to jump to the top of the table with a win. The darby is followed by Liverpool hosting Southampton in Jurgen Klopp’s first home game at Anfield at 12:15 pm on NBC. The first EPL match Saturday has US international Deandre Yedlin and Sunderland vs New Castle on NBCSN, while USGK Timmy Howard the EPL’s 2nd rated keeper helps #9 Everton as they travel to the Emmirates to take on Arsenal.
Former Carmel FC’er Charles Price scored 2 goals over the weekend to help the # 6 Ranked Carmel High Boys advance to Semi-State this Saturday in Evansville where they will face (17-2-1) East Central at noon. Also alive #3 Ft Wayne Canterbury vs #17 Penn, #7 Center Grove vs #13 Blooming South and #9 Lake Central vs #8 Harrison. The winners will advance to the state final 4 at The Indy 11 Stadium Oct 31st. On the girl’s side Brebeuf will play Center Grove while Fishers faces Muster in Semi-States
Congrats to the U13 Carmel FC Boys and coaches Cecilia Lacerda and John Leonard for their win in Soctoberfest last weekend. And a huge congrats to all the Teams that won or advanced to the finals.
MLS – Decision Day this Weekend to Playoffs
Playoff Scenarios – MLS – on Decision Day
Top MLS Teams heading into Decision Day NY RedBulls/FC Dallas battle for Supporter Shield – Sebastian Giovincho has the Golden Boot about wrapped up.
Which Team in under most Pressure ESPN FC
MLS Decision Day Looms – Jason Davis ESPN FC
Top Selling MLS Jerseys – Dempsey is #1
Power Rankings ESPN FC
Kreis out at NYCFC?
http://www.mlssoccer.com/standings
Vote for Save of the Week MLS Wk 22
Portland Timbers Statement win over LA Galaxy at Home
MLS Salary Data – Philly.com Goalkeeper
INDY 11
Homecoming for former Carmel Player – Daniel Keller
Hi Lights – Indy 11 3-1 win over Minn United
Fan Appreciation Night Indy 11 vs 3rd Place – Ft. Lauderdale – Tickets just $10 Free Team Poster to first 5K fans, $5 Ft Long Hot dog and Soda Special
NASL Plays of the Week
NASL Standings
EPL
Monday Morning Manager
Manchester Darby Who Wins?
Man Derby – Key Points ESPN FC
Derby Quiz? ESPN FC
Klopp Excited for Anfield Welcome
EPL Table
Top Goalkeepers in the EPL
Stadium Tours in the EPL
Premier League Clubs overtake NFL for TV Earnings
Champions League
Champions League Wrap up SI
Petre Cech the Difference for Arsenal in win over Bayern
Porto’s GK Casillas breaks Champs League Clean Sheet Record
Neymar’s Artful Form Praised in Win
Could England Lose a UCL Spot to Italy?
Juve Ties Again
Eufa Wrap-Up
USA
U17s World Cup Round-up
Klinnsman right to send Johnson Home
US Ladies Shannon Boxx Retires in 1-1 Brazil Tie
WAHL: Source: Alex Morgan heading to Orlando in NWSL blockbuster
5 Points for US ahead of WC Quals Fox soccer
Fabian Johnson keeps playing while Alejandro is out
US DA expands to U12/U13+14 split
Americans Abroad Weekend Preview
Klinsmann asks about Portland’s Dalington Nagbe possible Call Up
GOALKEEPING
Manual Nuerer with Save of Season vs Arsenal Yesterday
Petre Cech Saved Arsenal vs Bayern in Champions League Play yesterday
Top Saves of the Week – EPL
Vote for Save of the Week MLS Wk 22
GAMES to WATCH
Friday – 7 pm USA vs Chile (U17 WC) Fox sports 2
This will be a must win game for the US U17s to Advance out of Group Play
Sat – 12:30 pm Arsenal vs Everton NBC
A Must win game for US Keeper Tim Howard and the Toffees if they want to keep their hopes alive for a top 4 Finish – the Gunners look to hold Serve at home.
Sat 7:30 pm Indy 11 (H) vs Ft. Lauderdale Ch 8 and ESPN 3
It’s the last home game for Indy as they look to fight their way out of the seller in the NASL with 1 road game left after this.
Sun 10 am Man United vs Man City NBCSN
The Manchester Darby is always a battle royale – with the winner moving to the top of the table after the tie at Old Trafford.
Sun 12:15 Liverpool vs Southampton NBC
The Reds and Canaries are tied at 8th in the table as Liverpools new manager Juergan Klopp manages his first game at the Ansfield on NBC.
Sun 2:30 p.m. United States women vs. Brazil, friendly, (Fox Sports 1)
Anytime the US and Brazil + Marta go head to head its worth tuning in.
Sun 5:00 p.m. Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United, (Fox Sports 1,)
As the MLS Playoffs get ready to start next week – this is a great time to watch your local Columbus Crew battle for 2nd in the East.
GAMES ON TV
Fri, October 23:
4 pm, Korea vs England (U17 WC) Fox Sports 1
7 pm USA vs Chile (U17 WC) Fox sports 2
Sat, October 24:
7:30 am Blackburn vs Burnley (Eng Champ) beIN Sports
9:30 am Bayern Munich vs Koln Fox Sports 2
10 am Leicester vs Crystal Palace USA
10 am Chelsea vs Westham NBCSN
10 am Stoke City vs Watford NBC Live Extra
10 am Celtic vs Real Madrid (Sp) beIn Sports
12:30 pm Arsenal vs Everton NBC
12:30 pm Ingolstadt vs Hertha BSC Fox Sports 2 US John Brooks for Hertha
3 pm Ecuador vs Belgium (U17 WC) Fox Sports 2
6 pm Germany vs Mexico (U17 WC) Fox Sports 2
7:30 pm Indy 11 (H) vs Ft. Lauderdale Ch 8 and ESPN 3
Sunday, October 25:
8 am Sunderland vs Newcastle United NBCSN
10 am Man United vs Man City NBCSN
10 am Juve vs Atalanta (ITA) beIn Sports
10:30 am Borussian Dortmund vs Augsburg Fox Sports 2
12:15 Liverpool vs Southampton NBC
12:30 Borussia MGB vs Schalke 04 Fox Sports 1
2:30 p.m. United States women vs. Brazil, friendly, (Fox Sports 1)
4 pm PSG vs Saint Enienne (FR) beIn Sports
5:00 p.m. Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United, (Fox Sports 1,) Battle for 2nd in the East
7:00 p.m Sporting Kansas City vs. LA Galaxy,. (ESPN) SKC fending off San Jose for the last playoff spot in the West
7:00 p.m FC Dallas vs. San Jose Earthquakes,. (ESPN3) San Jose battling for last spot in West –Dallas Supporter Shield
7:00 p.m Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids,. (ESPN3) Portland holding off Seattle for 4th spot
7:00 p.m Seattle Sounders vs. Real Salt Lake (ESPN3) Seattle trying for 3rd place or 4th in West.
7:00 p.m. Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Houston Dynamo, (ESPN3)
Tues, October 27: Cap 1 Cup
3:45 pm stoke City vs Chelsea beIn Sports
Weds, October 28: Cap 1 Cup
3:45 pm Man U vs Middlesborough beIn Sports
Sat, October 31:
8:45 am Chelsea vs Liverpool NBCSN
11 am Swansea vs Arsenal NBCSN or USA
11 am Crystal Palace vs Man United USA or NBCSN
11 am Man City vs Norwich NBC Live Extra?
11 am Newcastle vs Stoke City NBC Live Extra?
Sun, Nov 1:
8:45 am Everton vs Sunderland NBCSN
11 am Southhampton vs Bournemouth NBC Live Extra
MLS Playoffs
3 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 East Conf ESPN
5 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 ESPN
7 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 West Conf Fox Sports 1
9 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 Fox Sports 1
Mon, Nov 2:
8:45 am Tottenham vs Aston Villa NBCSN
Sunday, Nov 8
MLS Playoffs
3 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 East Conf ESPN
5 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 ESPN
7 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 West Conf Fox Sports 1
9 pm Semi-finals Leg 1 Fox Sports 1
Fri, Nov 13
6:30 pm USA vs St Vincent and Grenadines ESPN St. Louis
Scenarios: Who needs what in the push to the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs
October 20, 20153:00 AM EDTMLSsoccer
mlssoccer.com RELATED: Playoff matchups if the season ended today
Playoff spot clinched
New York Red Bulls clinched this season’s first playoff spot on Sept. 20, later avoiding the Knockout Round with a bye and clinching first place in the East. They lead FC Dallas for the Supporters’ Shield, and will win the trophy with a victory at Chicago on Sunday and any FC Dallas result, assuming FCD doesn’t match a win or loss while also making up six goals relative to the Red Bulls’ outcome.
No. 1, East – 57 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at CHI
Playoff spot clinched
D.C. United clinched a playoff spot on Oct. 2. They remain in contention for an automatic berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. A win at Columbus on Sunday puts them in strong position to secure the bye.
No. 2, East – 51 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at CLB
Playoff spot clinched
Crew SC locked up their spot on Oct. 17 with a road win in Toronto and theycan clinch an automatic berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a win against D.C. on Sunday.
No. 3, East – 50 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 vs DC
Playoff spot clinched
Toronto FC clinched a playoff spot on Oct. 14. They remain in contention for an automatic berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, and can clinch said berth with a victory against Montreal AND a draw between D.C. and Columbus.
No. 4, East – 49 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at MTL
Playoff spot clinched
Montreal clinched a playoff spot on Oct. 17 with their 1-0 road win against New England. They remain in contention for an automatic berth in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, though it would take a victory against Toronto AND a D.C. victory against Columbus AND a win or tie by New England.
No. 5, East – 48 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 vs TOR
The Revs will be in a battle with Orlando City on #DecisionDay for the sixth and final playoff spot in the East. But they know they currently have a hefty lead (+8) on the goal differential tiebreaker should they slip up on the final day. They can clinch a playoff spot with a win/draw Sunday vs. NYCFC OR a Orlando draw/loss at Philadelphia.
No. 6, East – 47 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at NYC
Orlando City’s only chance to make the playoffs is to beat the Philadelphia Union by a large margin on #DecisionDay and hope New York City FC can do the same to the New England Revolution. They would need to make up 8 goals on the Revs to offset the goal differential tiebreaker.
No. 7, East – 44 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at PHI
Eliminated from playoff contention
NYCFC were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 10.
Eliminated from playoff contention
Philadelphia Union were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 3.
Eliminated from playoff contention
Chicago Fire were eliminated from playoff contention on Sept. 26.
Playoff spot clinched
FC Dallas clinched the West’s first playoff spot on Oct. 4, followed by first place and a Knockout Round bye on Oct. 17. They also remain in contention for the Supporters’ Shield, but likely won’t be able to claim the trophy if the New York Red Bulls win at Chicago on Sunday. Goal differential serves as the first tiebreaker, and RBNY enter #DecisionDay with a six-goal margin separating them and Dallas.
No. 1, West – 57 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 vs SJ
Playoff spot clinched
LA Galaxy clinched a playoff spot on Oct. 4. They can clinch an automatic berth in the Western Conference Semifinals with a win at Sporting Kansas City on Sunday.
No. 2, West – 51 PTS | 10/25 at SKC
Playoff spot clinched
The Vancouver Whitecaps clinched a playoff spot on Oct. 8. They remain in contention for an automatic berth in the Western Conference Semifinals.
No. 3, West – 50 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 vs HOU
Portland can clinch a playoff spot with a win or tie against Colorado on Sunday.
No. 4, West – 50 points | Schedule: 10/25 vs COL
Seattle can clinch a playoff spot with a win against Real Salt Lake on Sunday. They would also clinch a playoff spot with a tie vs. RSL AND EITHER a Earthquakes loss/draw at FC Dallas OR an SKC loss/tie vs. Colorado AND an SKC loss+tie combination in their double-game week.
No. 5, West – 48 points | Schedule: 10/25 vs RSL
Sporting KC can clinch a playoff spot with a win against Colorado on Wednesday OR a win against LA on Sunday. A tie in either spot gets them in IF EITHER Seattle or San Jose lose on Sunday. Sporting can clinch an automatic berth in the Western Conference Semifinals with wins against both Colorado and LA.
No. 6, West – 48 PTS | Schedule: 10/21 vs COL, 10/25 vs LA
San Jose can clinch a playoff spot this weekend with a win at FC Dallas AND ONE OF the following:
- A Portland loss vs. Colorado on Sunday;
- A Seattle loss/tie vs. RSL on Sunday;
- An SKC loss/tie vs. Colorado on Wednesday AND SKC loss or tie vs. LA on Sunday
- A tie vs. FC Dallas if Sporting loses against BOTH Colorado and LA.
No. 7, West – 47 PTS | Schedule: 10/25 at FCD
Eliminated from playoff contention
Houston Dynamo were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 18.
No. 8, West – 42 points | 10/25 at VAN
Eliminated from playoff contention
Real Salt Lake were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 17.
No. 9, West – 41 points | Schedule: 10/25 at SEA
Eliminated from playoff contention
Colorado Rapids were eliminated from playoff contention on Oct. 4.
Sunday is Decision Day in Major League Soccer, as the league’s 20 clubs finish their regular-season campaigns. The Eastern Conference games take place at 5 p.m. ET, followed by the West at 7 p.m. ET.Playoff spots and positions are on the line for several clubs, but which are under the most pressure? We asked our writers for their views.
The Seattle Sounders control their own destiny this weekend, but the club’s nightmare scenario remains very much in play. A failure to win at home against Real Salt Lake could allow both the San Jose Earthquakes and Sporting Kansas City to leap over Seattle in the Western Conference standings, thus leaving the Sounders outside the playoffs for the first time in its MLS history.Seattle clearly has the most to lose during this weekend’s Decision Day, as missing out on the postseason would cut deep on many levels. The Sounders have as talented a roster as any in MLS, and per the most recent numbers from the MLS Players Union, they have the league’s fourth-highest payroll at $13.28 million. Only the LA Galaxy, New York City FC, and Toronto FC have spent more.Seattle also won the Supporters’ Shield in 2014, and nothing less than a trip to the MLS Cup final was expected this season. While it’s true that the Sounders have suffered a fair number of injuries and games missed because of international commitments, missing out on the postseason would amount to a shockingly poor return on its investment.Such a failure would no doubt jeopardize the tenure of manager Sigi Schmid, though he signed a multiyear contract extension after the end of the 2014 campaign. But regardless of Schmid’s status, Seattle is a team that, given its advanced age, is seeing its championship window closing fast. Seven of the 10 field players from last weekend’s starting lineup are at least 30 years old, with another two checking in at 29. It seems inevitable that significant changes will take place this offseason. All the more reason for the Sounders to get the job done this weekend.– Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle)
Any other year, the final week of the MLS regular season might not be such a big deal for the LA Galaxy.They’ve been here before, rolling into the postseason on something short of full momentum, but they never seem to have a problem turning it on when they get there. It’s the savvy of manager Bruce Arena, an adept master of the quick-turning MLS postseason. He has big-name talents that have experienced winning in the competition before and has instilled resolute defending, which has long been the underrated springboard from which the Galaxy launch themselves to championships.But this year, there’s a difference. If the last week of the 2015 MLS season doesn’t go their way, which would mean the Galaxy stumble in Kansas City and a few other results push teams ahead of them, LA will be forced to go on the road in a one-off playoff game. That’s trouble because this Galaxy team’s one major flaw is its inability to find form on the road.Only two teams in MLS have the same number or fewer wins away from home than the Galaxy do in 2015, and neither of those teams (the Chicago Fire and the Houston Dynamo) made the playoffs. At the StubHub Center (aside from Sunday’s humbling defeat at the hands of the Timbers), the Galaxy look unstoppable; on the road, it’s an entirely different story. The club’s goal differential at home is a robust plus-25. On the road, it’s a horrifying minus-14. The reasons remain a mystery.It’s too late to fix whatever the problem might be, so if the Galaxy are going to repeat as champions and win an unprecedented fourth title in five years, finishing no lower than fourth is imperative. Seeding matters to no team more than it does the Galaxy, and Decision Day isn’t about getting in — they’ve already done that — it’s about making sure they get to play at home.– Jason Davis (@davisjsn)
As the lone Western Conference playoff contender with two games remaining on its 2015 slate, Sporting Kansas City has everything to gain heading into the final four days of the MLS regular season.They also have everything to lose.While a pair of wins would guarantee that SKC finishes in second place in the West behind newly minted conference champ FC Dallas, securing Sporting a first-round playoff bye, a loss at home against the already-eliminated Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night would leave Peter Vermes’ men in the unenviable position of having to beat defending MLS Cup holder LA Galaxy in Sunday’s finale (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/WatchESPN) just to guarantee a postseason berth.And the midweek match has trap game written all over it for Sporting. Sure the Rapids are the West’s worst side and losers of four straight and are also buoyed by the fact that they can play with the freedom of a team that has nothing to lose.With the rested Galaxy awaiting Sporting KC (Wednesday’s game was originally scheduled in May but moved for inclement weather), getting three points against Colorado is imperative for SKC.Their playoff lives could depend on it.– Doug McIntyre
Major League Soccer still unpredictable as Decision Day loomsWhoa, Canada
Canada’s trio of MLS teams are all playoff-bound in 2015. The Vancouver Whitecaps secured their place in the postseason on Oct. 8, making them the first of the Canadian clubs to do so. Toronto FC then celebrated making their first-ever playoff tournament in fine style six days later, when a stunning goal by Sebastian Giovinco lifted them to a victory over the first-place Red Bulls. On Saturday, it was the Montreal Impact’s turn. The arrival of Didier Drogba in Quebec turned the season for the club, who rode their famous signing to a six-game unbeaten streak through September that pushed them into contention for a postseason berth in the wide-open Eastern Conference. A pair of losses in October created some doubt, but the fact that the Impact had several games in hand on their rivals for a spot gave them a bit of breathing room.
But the schedule wasn’t easy, and there was plenty of reason to think that Montreal might run out of gas in the end. Sunday’s trip to New England was the kind of game the Impact team of three months ago would have lost in ugly fashion. The team of today put together a strong performance, got a pretty goal from Ignacio Piatti and locked up their playoff spot with one week to spare.With no team setting themselves apart in either conference, every one of the Canadian teams has a chance to make some noise in the postseason.
While not yet official, it appears we know the playoff field for the Eastern Conference. Though Orlando City is mathematically still in the hunt headed into Decision Day, their hopes rest on overturning a nearly impossible gap in goal differential with the New England Revolution.Out west, it’s a different story. Dallas, LA and Vancouver have earned their way into the playoffs, but three spots remain unclaimed. The caveat is that only one team currently below the red line, the San Jose Earthquakes, can still sneak into the field.The final day of the season will sort out which three teams secure their places, thanks in part to the failure of a couple of highly rated teams in Week 33. Both Kansas City (1-0 losers in San Jose) and Seattle (who played Houston to a 1-1 draw on Sunday) had the playoffs in their sights and came up short.The idea that either could miss out is stunning on its own. The fact that they each have so much to play for on the last day of the regular season guarantees that Decision Day will be dramatic.Even for the teams already able to dream about making a postseason run to an MLS Cup title, there’s much to play for in Week 34. A combination of surprising results over the past week means seeding is up in the air in both conferences.Even at the top of the respective conference standings there’s intrigue. Dallas and the Red Bulls are set at the top seeds, but the fate of the Supporters’ Shield remains in play. With the two teams tied on points and wins, New York has the advantage thanks to a six-goal lead in the third tiebreaker, goal differential.Dallas closes at home against the Quakes, while New York must travel to Chicago. Dallas is dominant at home, where they’ve lost just twice all year, while the Red Bulls have never won at Toyota Park. Don’t etch New York’s name on the Shield just yet!Seeding is crucial, and not just because the team with the highest point total come the MLS Cup will host the title game. The top two teams in each conference get byes into the semifinals, while teams seeded three to six must battle it out in one-game playoffs to make the final eight.Of the teams already in or still alive for a playoff spot, only Montreal and San Jose are unable to climb into a top-two seed. That sets the table for an incredible last day.
At halftime of the Galaxy’s home date with the Timbers on Sunday, the defending MLS Cup champs held a 1-0 lead thanks to a goal from defending league MVP Robbie Keane.Forty-five minutes later, when the referee blew the whistle for full time, the Timbers were the ones celebrating a 5-2 win. In a league known for throwing up surprises, Portland’s dismantling of LA was one of the more stunning results in recent memory.If it wasn’t shock enough that the Timbers won at the StubHub Center, where the Galaxy had lost just once all year, the attacking explosion from Caleb Porter’s team added an extra dose. For a team that has struggled all year to find a clinical touch in front of goal and isn’t known for closing games out on the front foot, the win might be a launching pad into the playoffs.For the Galaxy, the loss is disheartening, though it would be folly to imagine they’re not championship-caliber. Defensive issues persist for Bruce Arena’s team, but with the firepower available and their knack for navigating the postseason tournament, no one should write them off quite yet.
It’s very possible that an ever-changing MLS might not have room for a player like Mike Grella one day. Rather, it’s very possible that an ever-changing MLS may not be the type of league that gives a player like Grella a chance to resurrect his career.The former Duke Blue Devil, who bounced around the lower leagues of England, was on the verge of retirement when the Red Bulls signed him for 2015. All he’s done to reward them is score nine goals and star on the attacking end of the field for a team that finished first in the East and could secure a Supporters’ Shield next weekend. On Sunday, he was in record-breaking form as he netted the fastest goal in league history. Maybe an MLS that doesn’t give a Mike Grella a chance is a better MLS. That doesn’t mean it would be a more fun MLS. Jason Davis ESPJ FC
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