MLS

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 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. 

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. 

Unlike the East, the West has felt wide open from the knockout rounds. No upsets in the early round, but some surprises on Sunday. Here's a look at the results from each match, TV schedule information for leg two games and updated predictions.

Knock-Out Results

LA Galaxy 3 - Real Salt Lake 1: I’m not sure anyone outside of Salt Lake City believed RSL could beat the Galaxy in LA. Even with several stars out due to injury or being rested LA still easily rolled past RSL. 

We wish every soccer fan was like Leslie Jones.

Yo I've been watching soccer all day!! Lol

— Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg) October 31, 2016

Four matches and two eliminated teams have made for a very busy five days for the Eastern Conference. Here's a look at the results from each match, the upcoming TV schedule and information for this week's games, and updated predictions.

Knock-Out Results

Toronto 3 - Philadelphia 1: Hosting their first-ever playoff match, Toronto struck early through Sebastian Giovinco and never let go. This is a great confidence-booster after being eliminated by rivals Montreal in Toronto's first playoff appearance last season. 

For those watching Mexico play New Zealand in a friendly match in early October, it was easy to scoff at the sight of Giovani dos Santos wearing the captain’s armband for El Tri. Leadership has never been a quality directly associated with the Mexican attacker, but his continued evolution as a footballer speaks to his newfound maturity.