ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Five MLS clubs clinch playoff berths, USMNT turn focus from Landon Donovan to Honduras

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Kick Off: Five MLS clubs clinch playoff berths, USMNT turn focus from Landon Donovan to Honduras

Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:

1. DONOVAN SAYS GOODBYE

Landon Donovan's final US international appearance on Friday night against Ecuador gave us so much to talk about. There was the touching gift was presented before the match and although Donovan opened up prior to the game about his feelings following his World Cup snub, Klinsmann stated that the door is always open should Donovan wish to return. The most memorable moment might be the "I Believe" chant he led with the American Outlaws at the end of the game.

2. USMNT SHIFT GEARS FOR HONDURAS

The US drew 1-1 with Ecuador on Friday night (HIGHLIGHTS), but it was a promising evening for Jurgen Klinsmann's young side, with Seattle Sounders right back DeAndre Yedlin showing how important he can be and Mix Diskerud once again making his case. With Honduras up next for the US on Tuesday in Boca Raton, Florida (8 pm ET, ESPN, UniMas), Klinsmann has called in the heavy hitters.

3. CANMNT BRACE FOR CAFETEROS

Meanwhile, for the first time in quite a while, the Canadian national team has hopes of starting a winning streak as they look to build on last month's slump-breaking win over Jamaica. But they have their work cut out for them as they meet mighty Colombia in a friendly at Red Bull Arena Tuesday night (9:15 pm ET, Sportsnet World, streaming at Sportsnet.ca).

4. SEATTLE SLIP UP

The Seattle Sounders weren't happy about it, but Vancouver starlet Kekuta Manneh again scored a game-winning goal at CenturyLink Field in the Whitecaps 1-0 win over the Sounders (HIGHLIGHTS). The result puts the Whitecaps in the driver's seat again for a playoff place, and coach Carl Robinson praised his side's determination for getting them there.

5. TIMBERS DROP

That somewhat surprising 'Caps road result ensures that the Cascadia Cup stays north of the border for another year. It was also definitely not the one the Portland Timbers were hoping for, especially the Timbers fan who went to sit with the Sounders fans, as it meant that Vancouver jumped back above them in the playoff race and the only thing the Timbers can do now is hope that the 'Caps slip up.

6. GALAXY CAN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE

FC Dallas earned a "well-deserved" playoff berth for the first time in three years after a 2-1 comeback win over the LA Galaxy on Sunday (HIGHLIGHTS). LA failed to take advantage of the Sounders' slip up, but Landon Donovan is still confident his team can do it.

7. COLUMBUS FIGHT BACK

The Columbus Crew stand on the verge of securing their playoff spot after a miraculous comeback from two goals down to beat the Philadelphia Union 3-2 (HIGHLIGHTS). The result subsequently ended the Union's own playoff quest, and the manner of the team's collapse led Jim Curtin to declare "We're not a playoff team. That's clear."

8. IT'S OVER WHEN IT'S OVER

Following the New York Red Bulls' 3-1 win over Toronto FC (HIGHLIGHTS), things look pretty bleak for TFC's playoff hopes. However, Greg Vanney isn't giving up just yet. With the Red Bulls starting to find their form again and a playoff berth secured, they're now looking to do more than just qualify to the postseason.

9. SKC HEADING TO THE PLAYOFFS

Sporting Kansas City have their confidence back following a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire (HIGHLIGHTS) which secured the defending MLS Cup champs' place in this season's playoffs. The Fire gave it their all but, in the end, all they could do was tip their hat to Graham Zusi and Andy Gruenebaum.

10. DI VAIO SHOWS HIS STUFF

Marco Di Vaio is retiring at the end of the season but you'd never have known it watching the Montreal Impact on Saturday, as the 38-year-old scored both his side's goals in a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS). Coming back from a 2-1 deficit, the Revs only needed a point to secure a playoff spot and it was Lee Nguyen to the rescue once again.

11. RSL FINALLY SECURE THEIR SPOT

Despite a makeshift line-up, Real Salt Lake were able to secure their own playoff place, too, following a 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes (HIGHLIGHTS). The result now stretches the Quakes' winless streak to 13 games, but coach Mark Watson insists his side isn't defeated.

12. DYNAMO UNDONE

While D.C. United's 3-1 win over the Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS) all but guaranteed them top spot in the Eastern conference, it also marked United's first-ever win in Houston. The result means the Dynamo are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs and another concern might be the recurrence of DaMarcus Beasley's hamstring problems.

13. CHIVAS SEE OFF COLORADO

With nothing left to play for except pride, Chivas USA's 2-1 win over the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS) was perhaps most notable for providing the Goats' Kris Tyrpak with his first career goal and extending the Rapids' winless streak to 12 games.

14. TORRES DOES HIS THING

Mexico made it three wins in a row with their 1-0 victory over Panama (HIGHLIGHTS) and it was Erick Torres who played the hero this time. The Chivas USA striker scored his first international goal to deliver a win for El Tri in the game's final moments.

15. ROBBIE KEANE BREAKS A RECORD OF HIS OWN

Robbie Keane set a new record over the weekend as his hat trick against Gibralter in the Republic of Ireland's 7-0 win meant that Keane now becomes the all-time top scorer in European Championship qualifying history. Following other MLS stars abroad: David Villa scored on his Melbourne debut, Tim Cahill only played the last 10 minutes for Australia and Kaka made a triumphant return to the Brazilian national team against archrivals Argentina.

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