Kick Off: Almeyda hiring shakes up MLS | Gold Cup venue dates assigned

Here is everything you need to know about MLS and North American soccer this morning:

Seattle stroll past Dynamo

Despite missing a couple of key players, Seattle eased to a 4-1 rout that eliminated Monday night visitors Houston. Victor Rodriguez scored twice while Cristian Roldan pitched in with a goal and an assist as the Sounders moved closer to clinching their playoff return. 

Almeyda handed Quakes' reins

On Monday, San Jose officially named Matias Almeyda as their new head coach. Armchair Analyst Matt Doyle writes that it's an impressive get for the Earthquakes, and one likely to bring aftershocks to the league order

Laying out maps to the postseason

Three more MLS clubs booked their playoff tickets over the weekend, leaving five places up for grabs. As such, Charles Boehm attempts to make sense of the races left to run in both the East and West. 

And if your interest is expansive, Bobby Warshaw had 23 thoughts for 23 teams coming out of the Week 32 action. 

Petke: It's make or break time

Real Salt Lake boss Mike Petke says we're about to learn what his squad is made of in the aftermath of a galling home loss to Portland, one that narrowed the qualification margin for error over their final two games of the season. 

Taider key to Impact charge

There's been a lot of noise made recently about how underrated Montreal ace Nacho Piatti is around the league, but the same can be said about one of his teammates. In the Impact clubhouse, there's no lack of talk about how important midfielder Sapher Taider has been to the team's playoff drive. 

Has Frei been the league's best GK?

A Sounder At Heart guest column penned by American Soccer Analysis makes a great case that Seattle netminder Stefan Frei has easily been the best backstop in the league this season. 

Concacaf reveals venue assignments for 2019 Gold Cup

On Tuesday, Concacaf announced the the venues and dates of the seeded nations in the 2019 Gold Cup, as well as all match dates for each venue of the 15th edition of the tournament. The USMNT will open play in Minnesota before heading to Cleveland and Kansas City.