ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: US, Mexico, Canada aim for year-ending wins

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Kick Off: Counting the days to Sunday's Conference Championships; USA, Canada in action Tuesday

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

1. END THE YEAR WITH A WIN

The US national team are focused on ending the year with a win as they take on the Republic of Ireland today in their final game of 2014 (2:45 pm ET, ESPN2/UniMas). However, with the Irish also coming off a loss, Jurgen Klinsmann is expecting another tough test. Although LA Galaxy star Robbie Keane won't be part of the game, Klinsmann has sung the MVP candidate's praises as "an example of how to do it."

2. MLS STARS ON THE NATIONAL TEAM

It's certainly been a big year for the USMNT and perhaps no MLS players embody that more than Matt Besler and Kyle Beckerman. This week Besler reflected on his rise to prominence in 2014, while the whole country has slowly learned the importance of Beckerman's role.

3. MIX STILL LEARNING

Mix Diskerud certainly looked a little bit out of sorts against Colombia on Friday and the midfielder admits the game was a learning experience for him: "I've never played a game with that high of a tempo." With Diskerud heading into free agency in January, he also talks about where his next move might take him.

4. A LESSON IN DIPLOMACY

Moving forward, games like the one against Colombia on Friday are all part of Jurgen Klinsmann's plan for his side to test themselves against tougher opponents. With that in mind, meet Tom King, the man who helps arrange all of US Soccer's international friendlies. Meanwhile, Klinsmann himself was the subject of a glowing profile in the Irish Times.

5. WINDOW DISPLAY

Mexico face off against Belarus today (noon ET, ESPNEWS/UniMas), with Miguel Herrera electing to go with 10 new starters for the match. The Mexican manager hopes his players' international appearances will help earn moves to bigger clubs. But as Guillermo Ochoa can probably attest, that might not be all it's cracked up to be.

6. CANMNT's DOOR ALWAYS OPEN?

Canada take on Panama today (9 pm ET, Sportsnet One) as the look to put their problems against Central American teams behind them. Manager Benito Floro has called up arguably his strongest squad to date, including plenty of prospects for the future. But while there are still lots of players the coach can't call on -- Akindele, Finlay, et al. -- Floro isn't shutting the door on any of them.

7. CARIBBEAN CUP FINAL

Tuesday also marks the final of the Caribbean Cup, with Jamaica set to take on Trinidad and Tobago. A number of MLS players will line up for both sides, including Orlando City's Kevin Molino and Vancouver's Darren Mattocks. Thanks to the Caribbean Cup, we also now know 11 of the 12 teams that will compete in next summer's Gold Cup.

8. REVOLUTION WORKING ON STADIUM

For New England Revolution fans, winning an MLS Cup is top of their wish list right now, followed closely by a soccer-specific stadium. The former could well happen this year, given their current form heading into the Conference Championships, and the discussion for the latter appear to be continuing, according to The Boston Globe.

9. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

Speaking of new stadiums, the San Jose Earthquakes have called a press conference for Wednesday (1 pm ET) to announce the official naming partner of their new stadium. Elsewhere, the deal for D.C. United's potential new stadium might be adjusted.

10. RED BULLS SELL OUT?

Plenty of smart moves have helped the New York Red Bulls increase their relevance in their local market, a fact that could well be reflected in the news that Sunday's playoff game against New England is closing in on a sellout. However, there is some bad news: Star Tim Cahill may have injured himself while training with Australia.

11. VIVA LOS SOUNDERS

With their new coach in place, new USL PRO side Seattle Sounders 2 will be holding open tryouts in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the Sounders themselves are still hopeful of Osvaldo Alonso being fit in time for Sunday, while Marco Pappa has just collected FutbolMLS.com's Latino Del Año award.

12. HAVING AN IMPACT

FC Montreal, the Montreal Impact's USL PRO side, were officially confirmed on Monday, and with that came of who will be the new team's first head coach.

13. INVESTING IN THE UNION

While soccer and Philadelphia go way, way back, the Philadelphia Union are only five seasons old. As the MLS side take steps to try and secure their first trophy next season, the club announced a new local investor.

14. WHO'S COURTING WHOM?

Could Michael Essien be on his way to MLS? How about Sean St. Ledger? With AC Milan looking to offload Essien, the Ghanaian midfielder is certainly going somewhere, while former Leicester City defender St. Ledger (pictured vs. NYCFC's David Villa) is apparently looking to move to the US.

15. ONE YEAR AT STABAEK

Former US national team coach just completed his first season as a manager at Norwegian side Stabaek, and he had a lot to tell the guys on ExtraTime Radio about year one of his European adventure.

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