The Indy 11 will host Puerto Rico this Saturday at 3 pm at the Mike – in a game to benefit the victims of the hurricane tickets are just $5 order here!
The US U17 Men will face England Saturday at 10:30 at with a spot in the Final 4 on the line on Fox Sports 2. The U 17s demolished Paraguay 5-0. Winner will meet the Brazil vs Germany winner on Wed. Meanwhile the US Ladies fresh off a 3-1 win last night – will face Korea again on Sunday at 2 pm on ESPN.
The MLS Season wraps up this Sunday with decision day on Oct 22 featuring multiple games with the playoff implications across Fox and ESPN networks. The playoffs will begin the following Wed/Thurs. ESPN will start coverage at 4 pm and bounce around from game to game until 6:30 pm following all the playoff action!! This Atlanta United and US National Team Goalie Brad Guzan is currently sitting on a shutout streak of 482 minutes. If he and Atlanta United hold Toronto FC scoreless, he could have the third-longest individual shutout streak in MLS history – in front of what Is expected to be the biggest ever MLS crowd of over 75,000 expected in Mercedes Benz Stadium!
Big World games this weekend include Everton vs Arsenal Sun at 7:30 am on NBCSN, and Tottenham vs Liverpool at 11 am.
MLS
Crew could be leaving Columbus? Jeff Carlisle -ESPNFC
Atlanta Sets to Break MLS Single Game Attendance Record with 75K + vs Toronto
Playoff Scenarios – on final Decision Day Sunday – MLS.com
Records that May Fall on Decision Day Sunday in MLS
Who will Win on Final Day of Season
DC United Hope to Close RFK Stadium in Style vs NYRB – MLS.com
Kaka Not returning to Orlando City in 2018
USA
Landon Donovan Considers Run for US Soccer President
US Set to Choose Interim Coach this weekend to Coach Nov Friendly
Claudia Reyna Says US Soccer Way to Arrogant
Fox Changes Plans with US Eliminated- more Mexico, Stars
US Ladies down South Korea 3-1
US U17s Advance to Quarterfinals vs England on Sat 10:30 am
US U17s WC – Preview of Quarter Final vs England Sat 10:30 am on FS2
5 things to Know About US U17 Run to WC
World
Messi scores 100th Champ League Goal & Complete Wrap-Up
World Power Rankings – Barca, PSG, Man City, Man U, Tottenham
Indy 11
Indy 11 add Puerto Rico Home game on Sat Oct 21 at 3 pm
Indy 11 out of Playoff hunt with loss to Miami
GAMES ON TV
Sat, Oct 21
7:30 am NBCSN Chelsea vs Watford
7:30 am Fox Sport 2 U17 WC Mali vs Ghana
9:30 am Fox Sport 1 Frankfurt vs Dortmund (Pulisic)
10 am NBCSN Man United vs Huddersfiled Town (Johnson)
10 am CNBC? Stoke City vs Bournemouth
10:30 am FS2 USA U17 WC vs England – Quarters
12:30 pm Fox Sport 2 Hamburger (Bobby Wood) vs Bayern Munich
3 pm myindy Tv Indy 11 vs Puerto Rico
Sun, Oct 22
7:30 am NBCSN Everton vs Arsenal
7:30 am FS2 U17 WC Spain vs Iran – Quarters
7:30 am Fox soccer U17 WC Germany vs Brazil – Quarters
9:30 am Fox Sport 1 Freiburg vs Hertha
11 am NBCSN Tottenham vs Liverpool
2 pm ESPN USA Ladies vs Korea Republic
4 pm ESPN MLS Decision Day
Weds, Oct 25
7:30 am FS 2 Semi Final U17 WC (Rd of 4)
10:30 am FS 2 Semi Final U17 WC (Rd of 4)
2:45 pm ESPN3 Chelsea vs Everton (League Cup)
Fri, Oct 27
2:45 pm beIN Sport PSG vs Nice
Sat, Oct 28
7:30 am NBCSN Man U vs Tottenham
7:30 am FS2 U17 World Cup 3rd place
9:30 am Fox Soccer Hanover vs Dortmund (Pulisic)
10 am NBCSN Liverpool vs Huddersfiled Town (Johnson)
10 am CNBC?? Arsenal vs Swansea City
10:30 am FS2 U17 World Cup Final
12 pm beIN Sport? Milan vs Juventus
12:30 pm NBCSN? West Brom vs Man City
12:30 pm Fox Sport 2 Bayern Munich vs RB Leipzig
Sun, Oct 29
7:30 am NBCSN Brighton vs Southampton
9:30 am Fox Sport 1 Freiburg vs Hertha
11 am NBCSN Leicester City vs Everton
4 pm + 7 pm MLS Playoffs?
5 pm MyindyTV Indy 11 vs North Carolina
Indy Eleven vs Puerto Rico FC -Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 PM!
Indy Eleven is hosting Puerto Rico FC this Saturday, October 21 at 3:00 PM. Your “Boys in Blue” were originally scheduled to play this match in Puerto Rico. However, the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Maria requires the match to be played at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium. And here’s the best news of all…For this match only, Indy Eleven is offering the best prices ever on single-game tickets, starting at only $5. This ticket offer is available through the ticket link at the bottom of this email. As we did back on October 4, we will again be offering you the opportunity to support Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts by contributing to Carmelo Anthony’s fundraising link at bit.ly/Unite4PR. See you this Saturday! If you have any questions or want to learn more, please send us a note at tickets@indyeleven.com or call us at 317-685-1100 today or Friday during regular business hours! Order $5 tickets Here.
To Soothe The U.S. World Cup Failure, Watch The Under-17s Play
OCTOBER 20, 2017 By Brian Willett
If you need a break from the lamentations over lack of coaching, poor talent, and general malaise of the U.S. Men’s National Team, perhaps the U-17s, where international soccer teams with players younger than 17 compete, can offer some respite. The United States faces England in the U-17 World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday (10:30 a.m. EDT/FS2). A win would see the U.S. U-17s advance farther in the World Cup than they have in nearly two decades.
Put simply: They’re a fun team to watch and promise a potentially bright future for the senior national team. In the group stages, they beat host India 3-0 and eternal foe Ghana 1-0 before losing to Colombia 3-1. They ended the group stage tied with Ghana and Colombia on points, but dropped to third place because of that loss to Colombia (they advanced as one of the best third-place finishers). The “Baby Nats” put on a clinic against their first knock-out opponent Paraguay, scoring five goals that you most definitely should watch. Three wins in four while playing the style of soccer that many American fans wish the senior team could, including three minutes of possession to close out the Paraguay game. It’s enough to give hope to even the most cynical fans.
Youth Development Is Paying Off
This side also enjoys a more professional set of players, showing the sort of youth development this country needs for future national team success. A handful ply their trade outside this country, with one each at Monterrey (Mexico), Ajax (Netherlands), Benfica (Portugal), and Paris Saint-Germain. About half come from Major League Soccer clubs, with a few having made at least one club appearance (remember, they’re barely old enough to drive).
The U-17 World Cup does not guarantee success at the senior level, neither for players nor nations. American soccer’s biggest “what-if,” Freddy Adu, regularly performed well in youth tournaments. The most successful American squad took fourth place in 1999, and only five of those played any significant role in the full men’s national team. Nigeria has won three of the last five tournaments since 2007, with Switzerland and Mexico taking one each during that time. Those countries have all been competitive in recent international tournaments, but none have made a significant impact.But that 1999 squad featured Landon Donovan, Damarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onwewu, Bobby Convey, and Kyle Beckerman, all of whom appeared in at least one World Cup. Donovan and Beasley contributed significantly to the USA’s quarter-final run in the 2002 World Cup. And the last four in recent U-17 World Cups includes countries whose success and talents the United States can only envy: Spain, Germany, Argentina, Belgium.Most importantly, it gives potential men’s national team players experience in playing and winning in an international tournament. That could make a big difference in 2022 or 2026, especially since the national team looks likely to skew much younger for at least the next two years.
The U-17s will face an England side that scored 11 goals in the group stage and has only conceded two goals in four games. But the United States will be boosted by the absence of England’s Jadon Sancho. The Borussia Dortmund prospect scored three goals in the group stage, but was recalled by his club before the knockout stages.
Three Players to Watch
Andrew Carleton—The Powder Springs, Ga. native has two goals and three assists in this tournament. He made his professional debut at 16 with second-division Charleston Battery. The midfielder is Atlanta United’s first Homegrown Player and one of the most promising young Americans.
Tim Weah—Weah has good pedigree as the son of former FIFA World Player of the Year and aspiring Liberian presidential candidate George Weah. He became the fifth American to net a hat trick in a World Cup after scoring three against Paraguay. He’s the first to do it since Adu a decade ago. Weah joined Paris Saint-Germain’s youth academy in 2014 and signed a professional contract this summer.
Josh Sargent—The occasionally goofy-haired forward already played in one youth tournament this year, scoring four goals in the U-20 World Cup this summer. The O’Fallon, Mo. native parlayed that performance into a contract with German club Werder Bremen, following training stints with Dutch club PSV and Schalke in Germany.
PREVIEW: U-17 MNT TAKES ON ENGLAND IN WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS ON SATURDAY | 10:30AM ET | FS2, TELEMUNDO
GOA, India (Oct. 19, 2017) — The U.S. Under-17 Men’s National Team continues its incredible run in the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup when it takes on England in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 21, at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa, India. The match will be broadcast live beginning at 10:30 a.m. ET on FS2 and Telemundo. Fans can also follow the match on Twitter at @ussoccer_ynt.The United States is coming off Monday’s Round of 16 encounter with Paraguay, where the USA utilized a stunning hat trick from Tim Weah and single strikes from Andrew Carleton and Josh Sargent to earn a comprehensive 5-0 victory in New Delhi.The result was the USA’s second win all-time in the U-17 World Cup Knockout Stage and first since 1999. John Hackworth’s side also becomes the first U.S. team to advance to the tournament’s Quarterfinals since the 2005 squad, which coincidentally was the first team he led at the U-17 World Cup.Following Monday’s victory, the U.S. turned its attention to Tuesday’s clash between England and Japan. Both teams traded chances during the steamy match in Kalkota, but a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes led to England running out 5-3 winners on penalty kicks, setting up Saturday’s meeting with the USA in Goa.
U.S. U-17 MNT Roster by Position (Club; Hometown)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Alex Budnik (Sockers FC; Arlington Heights, Ill.), Carlos Joaquim Dos Santos (Benfica; Philadelphia, Penn.), Justin Garces (Atlanta United FC; Miami, Fla.)
DEFENDERS (6): Sergiño Dest (Ajax; Almere-stad, Netherlands), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls; Montclair, N.J.), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City; Charlotte, N.C.), James Sands (New York City FC; Rye, N.Y.), Tyler Shaver (New York City FC; Greenwich, Conn.), Akil Watts (Portland Timbers, Fort Wayne, Ind.)
MIDFIELDERS (6): George Acosta (North Carolina FC; Hollywood, Fla.), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake; Eden, Utah), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United; Glen Allen, Va.), Blaine Ferri (Solar Soccer Club; Southlake, Texas), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United FC; Locust Grove, Ga.), Indiana Vassilev (Unattached; Savannah, Ga.)
FORWARDS (6): Ayo Akinola (Toronto FC; Brampton Ont.), Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC; Powder Springs, Ga.), Jacobo Reyes (C.F. Monterrey; Houston, Texas), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas; Little Elm, Texas), Joshua Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri; O’Fallon, Mo.), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain F.C., Rosedale, N.Y.)
TIM WEAH MAKES HISTORY IN 5-0 WIN VS. PARAGUAY
Chief among the highlights of the USA’s memorable 5-0 shutout of Paraguay in the Round of 16 was the hat trick scored by Tim Weah. The Paris Saint-Germain forward gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute, made it a brace with a stunning strike in the 53rd and capped his hat trick with a tap-in in the 75th.
READ MORE: Five Things to Know About Tim Weah
The performance made Weah the sixth U.S. male player at any level to score a hat trick in the at a World Cup and the first to do it in the Knockout Stage. Learn more about Weah’s historic night by clicking here.
FIRST TIME U-17 WORLD CUP ENCOUNTER
While the two nations have met twice at the Men’s World Cup (1950 and 2010), Saturday’s encounter between the U.S. and England will be the first at the U-17 tournament. And while it’s the first World Cup meeting at this level, the current iterations of the squads have familiarity with each other going back to their U-15 days.
On August 16 and 19 2015, a John Hackworth-led U.S. U-15 Boys National Team squad visited England for a set of games, which ended in fitting 2-2 and 3-3 draws. As part of the friendlies, the teams agreed to take penalty kicks to decide a winner, with England coming away victorious in the first match and the USA doing so in the second.Just a few months later, much of the same U.S. squad and coach Hackworth faced England in the very first match of the current U-17 cycle, opening the 2015 Nike International Friendlies with a 3-2 defeat to the Three Lions. A high contingent of both World Cup rosters were part of that match, with 12 from the U.S. and 13 from England in their respective squads for the Nike International Friendlies.The teams last met on March 24, 2016, when the USA bounced back from a two-goal deficit, using a pair of goals from George Acosta to earn a 2-2 draw on the way to winning the Mondial Football de Montaigu Tournament in Le Poire Sur Vie, France.
USA, ENGLAND YOUTH TEAMS JOIN RARE COMPANY
Adding to the occasion of Saturday’s meeting is the fact that the United States and England are the only two countries that have reached the Quarterfinals of both the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which was held in May and June in Korea Republic.Led by the goal scoring exploits of current U-17 MNT captain Josh Sargent, the USA took Venezuela to extra time before falling 2-1 in their Quarterfinal clash. Venezuela would advance to the Final where it fell 1-0 to England, who in turn earned their first World Cup championship at youth level.The USA and England’s achievement marks the 10th and 11th times in which a nation has reached the Quarterfinals of both youth World Cups in the same year since the U-17 event expanded to 24 teams in 2007.
It is the third time the U.S. has achieved the feat, having previously done so in 1993 and 2003.
WORLD CUP ROSTER FEATURES 18 PLAYERS WITH DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY TIES
Hackworth’s U-17 World Cup squad has been largely bolstered by players that have cut their teeth in U.S. Soccer’s Development Academy. Eighteen of the 21-player roster have played in the DA at some point, with nine currently involved, six having signed M.L.S. Homegrown contracts and three holding past DA affiliations.
Current Development Academy Affiliations: George Acosta (North Carolina FC), Taylor Booth (Real Salt Lake), Alex Budnik (Sockers FC), Blaine Ferri (Solar Soccer Club) Justin Garces (Atlanta United FC), Christopher Gloster (New York Red Bulls), Josh Sargent (St. Louis Scott Gallagher Missouri), Tyler Shaver (New York City FC), Akil Watts (Portland Timbers)
M.L.S. Homegrown Signings Promoted to First Team: Andrew Carleton (Atlanta United FC), Christopher Durkin (D.C. United), Chris Goslin (Atlanta United FC), Jaylin Lindsey (Sporting Kansas City), Bryan Reynolds (FC Dallas), James Sands (New York City FC)
Past Development Academy Affiliation: Carlos Joaquim Dos Santos (Former: Philadelphia Union, Now: SL Benfica/POR), Indiana Vassilev (Former: IMG Academy; Now; Unattached), Tim Weah (New York Red Bulls/ Now: Paris Saint-Germain/FRA)
TEAM CAPTAIN JOSH SARGENT CHASING PERSONAL HISTORY
Having already scored four goals for the USA at this past summer’s FIFA U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic, Sargent joined Freddy Adu as the only American male player to compete at both youth World Cups in the same year when he took the field in the tournament opener against India. Thirty minutes into that match, Sargent bested Adu by becoming the only U.S. player to score in both tournaments held in the same year. He also joined the small club of U.S. players that have found the back of the net at both tournaments, namely, Adu, Taylor Twellman and Eddie Johnson.
READ MORE: Five Things to Know About Josh Sargent
Here’s the breakdown of the USA’s all-time youth World Cup scoring leaders:
| Overall | FIFA U-17 World Cup | FIFA U-20 World Cup | ||||
| Player | Goals | GP | Goals | GP | Goals | GP |
| Freddy Adu | 7 | 17 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| Josh Sargent | 6 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 |
| Taylor Twellman | 6 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Eddie Johnson | 5 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Sargent shined for the USA during the U-20 World Cup, earning the competition’s Silver Boot with four goals and an assist. His two-goal performance in the team’s opening group game against Ecuador went into the record books as he eclipsed Jozy Altidore as the youngest U.S. player to score at the FIFA U-20 World Cup at 17 years, 91 days. After scoring his fourth goal of the tournament in the Round of 16 against New Zealand, Sargent tied Taylor Twellman (1999), Eddie Johnson (2003), and Jozy Altidore (2007) for most goals scored by a U.S. player at a FIFA U-20 World Cup.
HACKWORTH TIES U.S. U-17 WORLD CUP WINS RECORD
In the midst of his third U-17 World Cup as U.S. head coach, John Hackworth (2005, 2007 and 2017) recorded his sixth career win at the tournament in Monday’s 5-0 victory against Paraguay, tying him with Roy Rees (1987, 1989, 1991, 1993) for the most all-time wins by an American coach at the tournament.After serving as an assistant for John Ellinger at the 2003 tournament, Hackworth led the 2005 team, which included current U.S. MNT stars Jozy Altidore and Omar Gonzalez, to a top of the group finish, going undefeated against Korea DPR (3-2), Italy (3-1) and Ivory Coast (1-1). In their quarterfinal matchup against Netherlands, the USA fell 2-0 in a hard-fought game that saw five cautions and two players sent off.Two years later, Hackworth brought his 2007 U-17 side back to the World Cup, leading the team to a second-place finish in its group. In the Round of 16, the USA was matched up against a tough Germany squad that sent the USA home with 2-1 defeat.
FAMILIAR WITH GOA
The U.S. will take in its fourth different venue of the tournament on Saturday, playing at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on India’s west coast. While it will bethe team’s first time there during this competition, Hackworth’s side has plenty of familiarity with the area thanks to its participation in the 2016 AIFF Youth Cup, which was held there last May. Playing five matches during the tournament, the U.S. advanced all the way to the Final where it fell 2-1 in extra time to Korea Republic.
HOW THEY GOT TO THE WORLD CUP
The USA finished second at the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship in Panama City, Panama, last April, scoring 20 goals while allowing six. The USA opened the tournament with a 5-0 win vs. Jamaica, led by a brace from Ayo Akinola and goals from Chris Durkin, Tim Weah, and Josh Sargent.
The USA followed that result with four more wins, defeating Mexico (4-3) and El Salvador (1-0) to win the group. Victories against Honduras (3-0) and Cuba (6-2) in the classification stage earned a berth to the World Cup. In the final, a rematch against Mexico, the USA held a 1-0 advantage into stoppage time before seeing the game forced into penalty kicks on a 92nd-minute equalizer. Despite the USA converting four of its five attempts, Mexico converted on all five to take home the regional title.
Nine different players scored for the USA during the qualifying tournament. Golden Glove honoree Justin Garces, Jaylin Lindsey, James Sands, Chris Durkin, and Josh Sargent earned selections to the tournament’s Best XI. Sargent’s five goals and Akinola’s four placed the pair in third and fourth, respectively, in the Golden Boot standings. Carleton and Weah each added a pair of goals, while Blaine Ferri, Bryan Reynolds Jr. and Indiana Vassilev also scored a goal apiece. Midfielder George Acosta led the team with three assists.
U-17 WORLD CUP PEDIGREE
The USA had its best tournament showing in 1999 when future U.S. MNT stars DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan led the team to a fourth-place finish after falling to Ghana in the Third-Place match. The game was played in front of a roaring crowd of nearly 16,000 at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
READ: Five Things to Know About the USA’s History at the U-17 World Cup
The USA has participated in 12 of the previous 13 U-17 World Cups, missing 2013’s tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Including the team’s run in 1999, the USA has made it out of the group stage eight times, reaching the Quarterfinals five times (1991, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2005). Over 46 matches in its 12 runs at the U-17 World Cup, the USA has posted a 16-23-7 record with the most success coming against Italy, defeating the Azzurri twice (1991, 2005).
England U-17 MNT Roster by Position (Club, Club Country)
GOALKEEPERS (3): Curtis Anderson (Manchester City), Josef Bursik (Stoke City), William Crellin (Fleetwood Town)
DEFENDERS (6): Timothy Eyoma (Tottenham Hotspur), Lewis Gibson (Everton), Marc Guéhi (Chelsea), Jonathan Panzo (Chelsea), Joel Latibeaudiere (Manchester City), Steven Sessegnon (Fulham)
MIDFIELDERS (10): George McEachran (Chelsea), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Tashan Oakley-Boothe (Tottenham Hotspur), Angel Gomes (Manchester United), Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund/GER)*, Nya Kirby (Crystal Palace), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Emile Smith-Rowe (Arsenal), Morgan Gibbs-White (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea)
FORWARDS (2): Rhian Brewster (Liverpool), Danny Loader (Reading) * Jadon Sancho recalled to Borussia Dortmund following Group Stage
HOW THEY GOT HERE
England qualified for the World Cup by finishing as runners up at the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in May. The Three Lions finished on top of their group with a perfect record, downing Norway (3-1), Ukraine (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-0). England then bested Republic of Ireland 1-0 in the Quarterfinal and Turkey 2-1 in the Semifinal. In the Final, England played to a 2-2 draw with Spain before falling 4-1 on penalty kicks.
England continued its qualifying form at the World Cup, going a perfect 3-0-0 in wins against Chile (4-0), Mexico (3-2) and Iraq (4-0). Meeting Japan in Tuesday’s Round of 16 match, England played to a spirited 0-0 draw before advancing 5-3 on penalty kicks.
Playoff Scenarios: How teams can clinch on Decision Day presented by AT&T
October 19, 20174:45PM EDTIt all comes down to Decision Day presented by AT&T.
There’s still plenty on the line come this Sunday, when all 22 MLS clubs will kick off at 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT. Here’s what they’re fighting for:RELATED: Live updating playoff seeding and bracket
Atlanta United FC
Atlanta United will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Atlanta United win vs. Toronto FC on Sunday and …
- New York City FC tie or lose vs. Columbus Crew SC on Sunday and …
- Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday
Chicago Fire
Chicago Fire will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Chicago Fire win vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday and …
- New York City FC tie or lose vs. Columbus Crew SC on Sunday
Columbus Crew SC
Columbus Crew SC will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Columbus Crew SC win vs. New York City FC on Sunday and …
- Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday and …
- Atlanta United tie or lose vs. Toronto FC on Sunday
FC Dallas
FC Dallas will clinch a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs if:
- FC Dallas win vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday and …
- San Jose Earthquakes tie or lose vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday
- – OR –
- FC Dallas tie vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday and …
- San Jose Earthquakes lose vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday and …
- Real Salt Lake tie or lose vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday
New York City FC
New York City FC will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- New York City FC win vs. Columbus Crew SC on Sunday
- – OR –
- New York City FC tie vs. Columbus Crew SC on Sunday and …
- Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. Houston Dynamo on Sunday and …
- Atlanta United tie or lose vs. Toronto FC on Sunday
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers will clinch No. 1 seed in Western Conference if:
- Portland Timbers win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday
Portland Timbers will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Portland Timbers tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday and …
- Seattle Sounders FC tie or lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday and …
- Sporting Kansas City tie or lose vs. Real Salt Lake on Sunday
- – OR –
- Seattle Sounders FC lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday and …
- Sporting Kansas City tie or lose vs. Real Salt Lake on Sunday
Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake will clinch a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs if:
- Real Salt Lake win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday and …
- San Jose Earthquakes tie or lose vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday and …
- FC Dallas tie or lose vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday
- – OR –
- Real Salt Lake tie vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday and …
- San Jose Earthquakes lose vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday and …
- FC Dallas lose vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday
San Jose
San Jose Earthquakes will clinch a berth in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs if:
- San Jose Earthquakes win vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday
- – OR –
- San Jose Earthquakes tie vs. Minnesota United FC on Sunday and …
- FC Dallas tie or lose vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday and …
- Real Salt Lake tie or lose vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday
- – OR –
- FC Dallas lose vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday and …
- Real Salt Lake lose vs. Sporting Kansas City on Sunday
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Seattle Sounders FC win vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday
- – OR –
- Seattle Sounders FC tie vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday and …
- Portland Timbers lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday and …
- Sporting Kansas City tie or lose vs. Real Salt Lake on Sunday
Sporting Kansas City
Sporting Kansas City will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Sporting Kansas City win vs. Real Salt Lake on Sunday and …
- Portland Timbers tie or lose vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Sunday and …
- Seattle Sounders FC tie or lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will clinch No. 1 seed in Western Conference if:
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win or tie vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will clinch a Knockout Round bye if:
- Seattle Sounders FC tie or lose vs. Colorado Rapids on Sunday
- ATLANTA UNITED TO BREAK ATTENDANCE RECORD SUNDAY
- Atlanta United FCwill break a couple of records when they host Toronto FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in their regular season finale on Sunday.The expansion club will set the all-time MLS records for highest attendance in a single game and single season on Sunday.Atlanta set the all-time single-game MLS attendance record on Sept. 16, when 70,245 fans attended their 3-3 draw against Orlando City. They surpassed that number of tickets sold for the TFC match two weeks ago.Though the final number of tickets sold isn’t yet available, Sunday’s contest will push Atlanta well above the all-time MLS single-season attendance record of 752,199 set by the Seattle Sounders in 2015. The Five Stripes have sold 747,530 tickets through their first 16 home games, and should end the regular season with a total near 850,000.Atlanta are currently in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. They can still climb to second and avoid the Knockout Round with a win against Toronto on Sunday coupled with draws or losses by NYCFC and Chicago.
MLS Decision Day predictions: Who will pick up wins on the league’s last day?
The final week of the MLS regular season is nigh, with a playoff spot up for grabs and postseason seeding still to be decided. ESPN FC’s team of MLS writers take a crack at predicting the outcomes of five of the weekend’s key matches.
Atlanta United vs. Toronto FC: Even with both teams already qualified for the playoffs and TFC locked in as the top seed in the East, there is a lot of intrigue about this one. From Atlanta’s perspective, it’s crucial to finish in the top four in the conference, as it would guarantee a home playoff match. Gerardo Martino’s team has flexed their muscles in their new digs, and currently in fourth, they could even finish as high as second and earn a bye in the knockout round. To boot, playmaker Miguel Almiron is expected to be back in the fold.
TFC will present a different challenge altogether. Far and away the best team in MLS during the regular season, Sunday’s clash will give the Toronto players a chance to sample Atlanta’s attacking style in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Arch Bell: Toronto FC
Jeff Carlisle: Draw
Matt Pentz: Atlanta United
Graham Parker: Atlanta United
FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy: This is it for FC Dallas. Currently on the outside looking in, it has to beat the LA Galaxy in order to give itself a shot at the postseason. While technically a draw and a San Jose loss to Minnesota could also do it, Oscar Pareja’s team need to be thinking three points here.
The fact that it has come down to this for FC Dallas is astounding, and it’s not like the Galaxy will be a cakewalk. Granted, Sigi Schmid’s team sit rock bottom in the west, but there are still the Dos Santos brothers to contend with and the Galaxy have actually played fairly well in their past three outings, including last week’s 3-0 win against Minnesota.
Arch Bell: FC Dallas
Jeff Carlisle: FC Dallas
Matt Pentz: Draw
Graham Parker: FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City: Also in the mix for a playoff spot in the West is Real Salt Lake. A point behind Dallas and San Jose, RSL would require some good fortune to sneak into the postseason, but first and foremost there is the task at hand of defeating the best defensive team in the league.
Jefferson Savarino is still listed as questionable with an ankle injury, and after throwing up a goose egg last week in Colorado, coach Mike Petke might have to swallow his pride and give Yura Movsisyan a start to get the attack going. As for Sporting KC, things have been rocky of late, with two draws and two losses. Not exactly the strongest way to go into the playoffs.
Arch Bell: Draw
Jeff Carlisle: Real Salt Lake
Matt Pentz: Draw
Graham Parker: Draw
Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps:Top seed in the West will be up for grabs in Portland when these two meet. In 2017 this slice of Cascadia has belonged to the Timbers, who defeated the Whitecaps in their previous two meetings, each time by a 2-1 scoreline. While Diego Valeri is earning all the headlines for the Timbers, and rightly so with his 11 goals in the past 11 games, Darren Mattocks has also been troublesome for opposing defenses and Vancouver’s sturdy back line led by Tim Parker and Kendall Waston will have their hands full.
On the flip side, this will be Portland’s first real look at Yordy Reyna. The Peruvian came off the bench and played the final half hour in the last meeting in July, but since then Reyna has been in scorching form, with four goals and three assists in his past six starts.
Arch Bell: Draw
Jeff Carlisle: Portland Timbers
Matt Pentz: Portland Timbers
Graham Parker: Portland Timbers
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United:Just when you are ready to count out San Jose, it’ll go on a three-match unbeaten run to poke its nose back in the playoff race. Just last month the Earthquakes were walloped 4-0 by D.C. United and then 4-1 to Chicago Fire, yet here they are needing just a win at home against 10th-place Minnesota on the final day to reach the postseason, thanks in part to Dallas’ fall from grace and a gutsy point in Vancouver last weekend.
Quakes fans should not expect an easy ride on Sunday, though. Adrian Heath’s Minnesota will fight and scrap the whole way, especially on the heels of last week’s poor display in Los Angeles.
Arch Bell: Draw
Jeff Carlisle: San Jose Earthquakes
Matt Pentz: Minnesota United
Graham Parker: San Jose Earthquakes
Arch Bell covers CONCACAF for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @ArchBell .
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