USA

The 2016 MLS Playoffs are already two weeks old, and 12 matches are in the books. However, with the international break arriving, the road to the MLS Cup takes a brief hiatus. Luckily for a few teams dealing with injuries, the extra time off to prepare for the 2016 MLS Conference Championships is exactly what’s needed. 

A slug fest in Colorado and a back and forth affair in Texas bookended the action on Sunday. Let’s take a look at the results from both second leg matches, TV schedule information for the conference finals and an updated prediction.

It's been another great season for Sebastian Giovinco. Seventeen goals and 15 assists for the "Formica Atomica" helped lead Toronto FC to the MLS Eastern Conference final, a sumptious Canadian derby showdown against the Montreal Impact. 

The diminutive Italian has been absolutely on fire once again this season, and after watching Toronto ruthlessly dismantle NYCFC, the other conference finalists will be shaking in their boots at the prospect of facing him. 

The long MLS playoff grind continued with another marathon day Sunday, as the Eastern Conference was narrowed down from four teams to two. It was a big day for the Canadian sides, and one that the city of New York will want to quickly forget. A look at the results from both second leg matches, TV schedule information for the conference finals, and an updated prediction.

Quarterfinals: Leg 2 Results

Of all the big name, designated players on show during Sunday’s Western Conference semifinal between the Colorado Rapids and LA Galaxy (Tim Howard, Jermaine Jones, Steven Gerrard, Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane), it was the least-celebrated DP who made the biggest difference: Swiss attacking midfielder Shkelzen Gashi.

Gashi scored his 10th goal in MLS, and it was an absolute stunner. With the Galaxy enjoying a 1-0 aggregate lead following their victory in Los Angeles in the first leg, Gashi’s 36th minute wonder goal evened the score for Colorado.

The United States kicks off the hexagonal round of FIFA World Cup qualifying with two of the most difficult matches they’ll face on the road to Russia. On Friday, the USA host Mexico at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Four days later, they face Costa Rica at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. 

An extremely eventful week for American fullback DeAndre Yedlin ended on a high note with a brilliant assist against Cardiff City on Saturday and a call-up to the USMNT on Sunday.

The beautiful game is grabbing hold of America. The World Cup comes around every two years, and the general US public look up to see how America performs on the biggest stage. MLS grows in teams, player status, and TV ratings each year, as the focus of the success or failure of US soccer.

However, deep below those two shiny properties lies the future of soccer in America: the United Soccer League. 

The Harvard men’s soccer team has been suspended for the remainder of the season by the University following an investigation over an appalling "scouting report" that ranked women’s team players.

Didier Drogba is coming back to the Montreal Impact after refusing to play because he was listed as a sub, and missing the team's first two playoff games.

On one hand, MLS fans should feel grateful that players of Drogba's caliber even come to the league, but on the other, why should anyone be thankful that he is doing what he was paid to do? Surely Drogba is a legend, and at one time was one of the most complete strikers in the world, but for someone known to give back to his community, this ordeal was incredibly out of character.