MLS playoff schedule set, and Sounders vs. Galaxy will be hard for many to watch

Sunday’s MLS Decision Day went off about as well as the league could have hoped for, with lots of meaningful games and great TV coverage of all the action. Those games set the playoff field, and the MLS Cup Playoffs get underway on Wednesday. Here’s the full schedule and bracket.

Since the league has to satisfy all of their TV partners, a Seattle-LA game that should be a showcase for the league is stuck on UniMas. The first legs of the conference semifinals will kick off with a loaded Sunday of games, this week.

A double backheel by Didier Drogba in three minutes. (r/soccer)

Aston Villa fired Tim Sherwood. (7500 to Holte)

Sebastian Giovinco won the MLS Golden Boot and assist crown in the same year. (TFC)

Red Bulls won the Supporters’ Shield for the second time in three years. (Once A Metro)

Arsenal have been fined for dealing with an unlicensed agent during the Calum Chambers transfer. (BBC)

Gianni Infantino plans to change draws forever by running for FIFA president. (Guardian)

Louis van Gaal is tired of questions about Wayne Rooney’s bad form. Maybe journalists should ask him why he refuses to drop a player on bad form? (ESPN FC)

Hoffenheim have fired Markus Gisdol and replaced him with Huub Stevens. (Bundesliga)

Barcelona will appeal a suspension to Javier Mascherano because they say his expletives were not directed at officials. (AS)

James Yorke on the Premier League’s rising middle class and other stats stories from the weekend. (Stats Bomb)

Barney Ronay on Manchester United hiding young talent to accommodate Wayne Rooney. (Guardian)

Iain McIntosh on this weekend’s heroes and villains in the Premier League. (ESPN FC)

The Manchester Derby was pretty boring. (The Busby Babe)

The USWNT sent off Lauren Holiday and Lori Chalupny with a win. (Stars and Stripes FC)

Roma beat Fiorentina to go top of Serie A. (Chiesa Di Totti)

Luis Suarez fired Barca to a win with a hat trick. (Barca Blaugranes)

Real Madrid’s defense was great again in a win over Celta Vigo. (Managing Madrid)

Bayern are still amazing. (Bavarian Football Works)

Here’s a recap of Saturday’s Premier League action.

Highlights of Sunday’s MLS games are here. (MLS)