ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Playoff race tightens up after Week 31

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Kick Off: Playoff race tightens up after Week 31 | US advance in Olympic qualifying

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

1. FC DALLAS PUNCHES TICKET

There was joy all around Toyota Stadium as FC Dallas officially secured their spot in the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a 4-1 victory over cross-state rivals Houston Dynamo (HIGHLIGHTS). The result leaves the Dynamo three points below the red line with just two games to play, and the club struggled to hide the disappointment.

2. RSL STILL ALIVE

Real Salt Lake have kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Rapids (HIGHLIGHTS). Despite the result, which marked their elimination from playoff contention, the Rapids still won this year's Rocky Mountain Cup as a consolation prize.

3. FROM PRESS SEAT TO THE SCORESHEET

While the LA Galaxy might have clinched their playoff spot on Sunday, the defending champs were in no mood to celebrate their 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders (HIGHLIGHTS); they believed they should have won. The Sounders' equalizer came thanks to Chad Barrett, who wasn’t even supposed to dress for the game.

4. UNITED SET NEW GOALS

D.C. United’s 2-1 victory over New York City FC (HIGHLIGHTS) not only marked their first win in seven MLS matches, but also secured their place in the postseason. However, United are far from content. As for NYCFC, the loss all but ends their hopes of reaching the playoffs, leaving head coach Jason Kreis extremely disappointed.

5. TORONTO FIND THEIR FORM

Toronto FC stand on the verge of earning their first appearance in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs following a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union (HIGHLIGHTS), one that suggests the team has found not only their form, but also a winning formula. For the Union, the loss meant they were officially eliminated from the playoff race, adding to the team’s disappointment after their crushing US Open Cup defeat in midweek.

6. UNION’S NEW DIRECTION

While the Philadelphia Union might be licking their wounds, there are interesting times ahead for the club after it was announced on Friday that the Union have chosen to part ways with CEO Nick Sakiewicz. Team owner Jay Sugarman announced the move, calling it the “right decision” for the club’s future.

7. RED BULLS LEAD THE WAY

On a night when the club honored former head coach Mike Petke, the New York Red Bulls took a big step towards securing the Eastern Conference title - and possibly the Supporters' Shield - with a 2-1 victory over Columbus Crew SC (HIGHLIGHTS). It’s a second loss in a row for Crew SC, but goalkeeper Steve Clark said they need to just let that go.

8. ORLANDO CLOSE THE GAP

Orlando City SC’s playoff hopes are still alive after the team closed to within a point of sixth place following a 2-1 victory over the Montreal Impact (HIGHLIGHTS). However, the sixth-place Impact, have two games in hand on Orlando and are looking to refocus after Saturday’s setback.

9. REVOLUTION BURNED BY FIRE

Maybe Fire interim coach Brian Bliss is on to something with Harry Shipp’s position shift. The Homegrown midfielder showed what he could do in the Chicago Fire’s 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution (HIGHLIGHTS). Winless in three now, the Revolution made their frustrations clear after another missed opportunity to lock up a place in the playoffs.

10. TIMBERS FALL BELOW RED LINE

For the second time in four days, Krisztian Nemeth scored a crucial goal for Sporting Kansas City, this time earning the team a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers (HIGHLIGHTS). The Timbers’ inability to score once again came back to bite them, with the slumping Oregonians dropping to seventh in the West, and on the outside of the playoff picture.

11. QUAKES RISE UP

The San Jose Earthquakes took the Timbers' place above the red line following a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps (HIGHLIGHTS). The draw marks a third MLS game without a win for the ‘Caps as their mini-slump continues, but head coach Carl Robinson refuses to point fingers.

12. FINAL ROSTER REVEALED

Jurgen Klinsmann has named his final 23-man USMNT roster for this Saturday’s CONCACAF Cup game at the Rose Bowl. There are 12 players from MLS included in the final squad, with Seattle's Brad Evans joining the usual suspects for the crucial Confederations Cup playoff.

13. US AND CANADA ON OLYMPIC TRACK

The US Under-23 national team have advanced to the Olympic qualifying semifinals with one game to spare following a 6-1 victory over Cuba, with New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga getting himself on the scoresheet. Canada earned a 3-1 victory of their own over Panama, but still have some work to do. Both sides return to action on Tuesday, with the US facing Panama and Canada taking on Cuba.

14. CALL-UPS KEEP COMING

Andrea Pirlo, named to the FIFA Ballon D’or 59-man "long list" on Friday, and Sebastian Giovinco have been called up by Italy for the European Championship qualifiers this month, joining the list of MLS players summoned for international duty.

15. LOS DOS KEEP ROLLING

As the USL playoffs continue, there’s just one MLS-owned team still standing, as the LA Galaxy II advanced to the Western Conference Finals, thanks to an impressive performance from Ariel Lassiter in their 2-0 victory over the Orange County Blues. New York Red Bulls II didn’t fare as well, eliminated by the Rochester Rhinos in a 2-0 loss. Galaxy II will now face Oklahoma City Energy, led by Sporting Kansas City legend Jimmy Nielsen, in the conference final.

MLSsoccer.com Musts

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