Want Backheel Breakfast in your inbox? Sign up for the email version here.
MLS playoff schedule set after wild and dramatic first round
The MLS playoffs have already been incredible, and now we know which matchups will try to make them even better.
Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
The MLS Playoffs are rarely dull, but it’s hard to remember a time that the first round of matches had this much action and drama. The Seattle Sounders’ late winner against the LA Galaxy, D.C. United’s comeback against the New England Revolution, the Montreal Impact’s humbling of Toronto FC, the Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City going all the way to the goalkeepers in a penalty shootout. If we’ve already gotten this much, what on earth is still in store for us in the rest of the playoffs?
We may not have that answer yet, but we do know who’s playing whom and when.
The conference semifinals get underway Sun., Nov. 1, starting with D.C. United hosting the New York Red Bulls at 3 p.m. ET. That's followed by the Portland Timbers hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps in Cascadia rivalry action at 5 p.m., then the Montreal Impact welcoming the Columbus Crew to Canada at 7 p.m. The nightcap? The Seattle Sounders hosting Western Conference-topping FC Dallas at 9:30 p.m.. The earlier pair of matches will be on ESPN, and the later two on FOX Sports 1.
The return leg of the two-legged semifinal ties will be on Nov. 8 in the same time slots, though which match is at what time hasn’t been announced yet. The playoffs will then pause for a couple of weeks to allow for the FIFA international break, so none of the involved teams are dealing without key players. The conference finals -- also two-legged ties -- will be played on Nov. 22 and 29, with the winners advancing to the MLS Cup on Dec. 6.
Goal of the day
The penalty shootout was great, but Maximiliano Urruti’s goal to bring Portland level again at the end of extra time was fantastic.
In the news
Sepp Blatter blames “certain American companies” for the “attacks” on himself and on FIFA in recent months. (Guardian)
Gus Poyet has a new job in Greece, having agreed to take over as the manager of AEK Athens. (BBC)
Javier Mascherano has admitted to over €1.5 million ($1.7 million US) in tax fraud in Spain. (AS)
A calf injury is likely to sideline Arsenal forward Theo Walcott until December. (Guardian)
The president of Turkish club Trabzonspor ordered the referee and his crew locked in their dressing room for hours after making a controversial penalty decision that cost Trabzonspor a win. (BBC)
You should be reading
Paul Doyle and Nick Miller celebrate some of the less glamorous teams in England. (Guardian)
Rafa Benitez has a reputation for being overly controlling with his players, a reputation that he fiercely denied in an interview. (AS)
What happened in Thursday’s matches
The Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City battled back and forth, trading goals in regulation and in extra time before going 11 rounds in a penalty shootout until Portland finally won. (Stumptown Footy)
Toronto FC’s first playoff run came to an abrupt end after one match, after getting blasted 3-0 by the Montreal Impact. (Mount Royal Soccer)
What to watch on Friday (click for listings, all times ET)
Bundesliga: Eintrach Frankfurt vs. Bayern Munich (3:30 p.m.): Bayern have a chance to stretch their Bundesliga lead to 10 points this weekend, and they can do it against a team that failed to score a single goal against them last season.
La Liga: Deportivo La Coruña vs. Atletico Madrid (3:30 p.m.): With a road win here, Atletico can put pressure on Real Madrid and Barcelona on top of the table.
Ligue 1: Rennes vs. Paris Saint-Germain (3:30 p.m.): Rennes haven’t won in the league in six matches -- it doesn’t look terribly likely that they’ll be ending PSG’s five-match winning streak.
See More:
