ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Another big weekend in MLS playoff push | RSL take control of their Champions League destiny

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Kick Off: Another big weekend in MLS playoff push | RSL take control of their Champions League destiny

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

1. RSL TAKE CONTROL

Real Salt Lake grabbed an important win in the CONCACAF Champions League on Thursday, beating Santa Tecla 2-1 thanks to some smart substitutions from head coach Jeff Cassar. The win puts RSL three points clear at the top, with one final home game to be played.

2. KAKÁ’S NOT GIVING UP

The New York Red Bulls host Orlando City on Friday night (7 pm ET; UniMas in the US, MLS Live in Canada) with the Eastern Conference leaders wary of a potential upset. Orlando are the healthiest they’ve been in a while, and Kaka isn’t ready to give up on reaching the playoffs just yet.

3. GILBERTO’S RETURN

Toronto FC take on the Chicago Fire on Saturday (2 pm ET; TSN in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US) with the game marking former TFC striker Gilberto’s first trip to BMO Field since leaving last winter. Toronto FC can take another big step towards the playoffs with a win, but why are there still so many doubters? The Fire, meanwhile, are inviting fans to meet one of their all-time greats in a week’s time.

4. BIELLO ANSWERS QUESTIONS

D.C. United head to Canada fresh from securing Chris Rolfe to a new contract extension. Their opponents on Saturday are the Montreal Impact (5 pm ET; TSN2 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US), and as Mauro Biello continues to turn around IMFC fortunes, the interim head coach took part in a Q&A with the Montreal Gazette.

5. TIMBERS GETTING TENSE

The Portland Timbers know their season is on the line, and Saturday’s visit to Columbus Crew SC (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) could prove to be a massive game. Crew SC can possibly lock up a playoff place and Ethan Finlay has been crucial to that progress this year, achieving a lot in a very short space of time.

6. REVS LOOKING FOR PLAYOFF SECURITY

The New England Revolution can also secure a playoff spot this weekend when they host the Philadelphia Union (7:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), and while the Revs showed their softer side this week, the Union and their interchangeable parts are keeping one eye on next week’s US Open Cup final.

7. CAN THE DYNAMO CONTINUE TO CLIMB?

Fresh from a 10-man win against Sporting KC, the Houston Dynamo will be hoping to knock off the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE) to help further their push for a place in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs. Rapids fans, currently on a three-game winless streak, may be concerned by a lack of entrants on the 24 Under 24 list.

8. 'CAPS KEEN TO SPOIL PLAYOFF HOPES

New York City FC travelled with all three of their Designated Players for their game against the Vancouver Whitecaps (Saturday, 10 pm ET; TSN1 in Canada, MLS LIVE in the US). Coming off their midweek CONCACAF Champions League disappointment at the hands of the rival Sounders, the ‘Caps, two of whom are the subject of the latest MLS Insider, will be keen to dent NYCFC’s playoff hopes.

9. CAN SHORTHANDED SKC TACKLE CONFIDENT SOUNDERS?

Sporting Kansas City believe the Western Conference is more challenging than the Eastern Conference, and the US Open Cup finalists could find themselves shorthanded for their game against the Seattle Sounders on Sunday (5 pm ET; ESPN in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada). The Sounders are riding high following their CCL success, and Sigi Schmid stressed how important that momentum could be.

10. THE RETURN OF INNOCENCE?

The San Jose Earthquakes face off against Real Salt Lake on Sunday (7 pm ET; FS1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) with both sides still chasing a place in the playoffs. Injured Quakes striker Innocent hopes to return in time to help the club’s playoff push but, once again, it’s the Quakes new stadium that’s capturing people’s attention.

11. PAREJA HAS A PLAN

Bruce Arena believes the US is the best place for LA Galaxy Designated Player Steven Gerrard to learn how to coach, but is Club America looking to borrow one of his other DPs this winter? The Galaxy take on FC Dallas on Sunday (9:30pm ET; FS1 in the US, MLS LIVE in Canada) and Oscar Pareja has a simple idea about how to win, although one that may not involve off-the-field leader Blas Perez.

12. SHANE O’NEILL’S MYSTERY ILLNESS

DaMarcus Beasley and Fabian Johnson are both returning from injury at just the right time to help the US national team. But one player who won’t be playing a part for the US U-23s in Olympic qualifying is Shane O’Neill, with the player himself explaining the reason why.

13. COMING TO A BIG SCREEN NEAR YOU.

Can’t make it to the CONCACAF Cup at the Rose Bowl on Oct. 10? Want to watch the match with scores of other fans in an environment bigger than a bar? Well then, how about the cinema?

14. DETROIT CITY HAS A NEW HOME

Well-supported, fourth-tier side Detroit City FC took a big step forward on Thursday, with news that they’ve been granted permission to go ahead with renovations on a new home for the club.

15. IS THE POPE A D.C. UNITED FAN NOW?

Pope Francis is currently visiting the USA. To commemorate that fact, D.C. United decided to give him a personalized jersey when he visited the nation's capital. But how did they get it to him?

MLSsoccer.com Musts

Scarftember: Meet Ryan Bross, the Union fan who wears 70 scarves

MLS Insider |Gambian “brothers” try to bring a little magic to the Vancouver Whitecaps

ExtraTime Radio: Behind the scenes of the 24 Under 24 list with Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle