The Daily Dirt, October 13: Through the Wire

We have less than two weeks left in the 2016 MLS season, and most teams have something to play for at this point. Columbus and San Jose are playing for their playoff lives tonight, wins are a must for both of them.

Seattle had a chance to clinch their playoff spot last night, but their scoreless draw was not enough. They are still in a good spot in fourth place in the West, level on points with Real Salt Lake and two points ahead of Sporting Kansas City. A Portland win and a Sporting loss on Sunday would have the Timbers in a playoff spot heading into the season’s final week.

On Sunday, all of the Eastern Conference teams will play at 3:00 p.m. followed by five Western Conference games at 5:00 p.m. Next weekend, Decision Day will conclude the regular season will every team playing at 4:00 p.m. It is likely that some of the playoff races will come down to the last game.

Also on Sunday, Atlanta and Minnesota will conduct the Expansion Priority Draft. Learn more about the player acquisition methods available for selection on Sunday. Be on the lookout for more ahead of Sunday on how this event played out for Orlando and NYCFC and Atlanta’s potential strategy.

Domestic

Scoreless draw for Seattle against Houston is not enough to clinch a playoff spot (Sounder at Heart)

Could Orlando have a player from their academy close to joining the first team? (Orlando Sentinel)

Sigi Schmid to join ESPN as a studio analyst (Seattle Times)

Where does Lynden Gooch fit into the USMNT moving forward? (Stars and Stripes FC)

International

Liverpool and Manchester United issue a joint statement to their fans ahead of tense match (Liverpool Offside)

Could Gareth Southgate get the permanent appointment for the England national team? (Guardian)

Argentina is struggling, and it’s more than just Lionel Messi’s absence (SB Nation)

Local

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