ΒΕΤΤΙΝG NEWSLETTERS: Kick Off: Drama sets up Conference Championships

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Kick Off: Drama sets up Conference Championships | NYCFC appoint new coach

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

1. MLS CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS SET

After a thrilling Sunday of Conference Semifinal deciders, the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs are down to the final four: New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew SC, FC Dallas, and Portland Timbers. Here is the bracket and the schedule.

2. RED BULLS ELIMINATE RIVALS

The Red Bulls' 1-0 win over D.C. United (HIGHLIGHTS) saw them once again oust their bitterest rivals and advance to the Eastern Conference Championship. United head coach Ben Olsen said he felt his side played well, but they just couldn't find a way past the staunch RBNY defense.

3. KEI & CREW SC COMPLETE COMEBACK

Crew SC put an end to the Montreal Impact's dramatic 2015 campaign with a 4-3 aggregate win after a 3-1 victory in the second leg (HIGHLIGHTS). It was a back-and-forth game that saw controversial calls and redemption for Kei Kamara.

4. DALLAS TAKE DOWN SEATTLE

FC Dallas refused to give up on Sunday as they mounted a comeback against the Seattle Sounders and secured a 2-1 win (HIGHLIGHTS), tying everything 3-3 on aggregate, then taking the series in penalties. Young Jesse Gonzalez played the hero, saving two PKs and closing the Sounders out of another shot at the MLS Cup.

5. TIMBERS PUNISH THE WHITECAPS

With Kekuta Manneh exiting the game with an injury, the Vancouver Whitecaps struggled to mount a sustained attack, and eventually the Portland Timbers made them pay, winning 2-0 to take the Western Conference Semifinal victory (HIGHLIGHTS). The Timbers' Fanendo Adi was the difference, but the entire squad felt in fine form.

6. NYCFC'S NEW MANAGER

New York City FC have appointed Patrick Vieira as their new head coach. "This established football set up, together with a passionate and loyal fan base,... makes for an unparalleled opportunity that I am delighted to seize with both hands," he said.

7. MASTROENI WILL RETURN

As the Colorado Rapids look towards 2016, the club is keeping faith with head coach Pablo Mastroeni, and they are turning their attention to making some smart moves in the transfer market. However, will their future involve Dillon Powers?

8. ANOTHER FIRE COACH CANDIDATE EMERGES

It looks like we know another contender for the vacant Chicago Fire head coach job. Former Columbus Crew SC star Guillermo Barros Schelotto, currently a successful coach in Argentina, is reportedly set to interview for the role.

9. KLINSMANN NAMES HIS SQUAD

The US men's national team announced their latest roster last Friday. While Darlington Nagbe earned a first call-up as expected, there was no place in the squad for Clint Dempsey. Still, the Seattle Sounders star is confident that he'll play for the US again.

10. CANADA BRING THE BIG GUNS

Canada also revealed their squad for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers. Nine MLS players figure in Benito Floro's side, but Jonathan Osorio was left out again.

11. INTERNATIONAL SELECTIONS

There have been plenty of other MLS players called up for international duty, too. Harrison Afful and Kristian Nemeth are each joining their national teams, and there are three MLS players in the recently announced Costa Rica squad.

12. BRADLEY SAYS FAREWELL TO STABAEK

Bob Bradley said an emotional goodbye to Stabaek at the weekend as he managed the team for the final time. The former USMNT coach is widely expected to join French side Le Havre as their new manager now. In face he gave some indication of the challenge for which he hopes in his next role.

13. SAYING NO TO BARCELONA

As a finalist for this year's MLS MVP award, there's no doubt that Sebastian Giovinco had a great year with Toronto FC. In fact, he made such a mark that the Italian has apparently drawn interest from none other than La Liga giants FC Barcelona.

14. ATLANTA UNITED LOOKING ELSEWHERE

There's been a small change of plans for Atlanta United FC, as the MLS expansion club has decided not to build their new training facilities in Dekalb County, due to higher-than-expected costs. Instead they'll pursue other options.

15. MIX'S TOP HAT

Mix Diskerud may have set a new first recently by becoming the first American soccer player to have his very own branded hat.

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