Monday Freedom Kicks: Playoff Prep

53 points gets first in the East apparently (via Sports Club Stats). So with that out of the way, off we go:

Recaps of D.C. United's postseason qualification draw with Sporting Kansas City via us, MLS, Goff, Goal.com, Ives, Soccer Wire, Soccer Wire, CSN Washington, District Sports Page and UnitedMania. The folks at The Blue Testament have the opposition perspective.

The New MLS Salary Release and Its Implications for Looming CBA Negotiations | Stat Hunting: An interesting visual approach to the latest round of MLS salary numbers and speculating on the coming winter.

Match Report: Sunderland 3-1 Stoke - Strikers Do Score Goals! - Roker Report: In Partner club news part 1, a pair of Steven Fletcher goals helped the Black Cats over Stoke, bringing them closer to the top half of the table.

Postmatch Recap & Analysis: Fiorentina 3-0 Inter - The Offside Inter Milan: In partner club news part 2, Inter Milan allowed two goals in the first half en route to their second straight three goal loss, this time to Fiorentina, dropping the Nerazzurri to 10th in Serie A as the international calendar rears its head once again.

Andy Najar played yesterday in Anderlecht's scoreless draw against Genk, but apparently silly season surrounding a possible exit of Andy to England has resumed.

Sacramento Republic FC 2015 Garibaldi Exclusive Scarf - Sacramento Republic FC: I'm a bit of a scarf junkie, and seeing the USL PRO team incorporating a scarf, but one from a nationally renowned artist? Gimme. And D.C. United? If you're taking ideas for a STH gift, humbly submitting.

Bill Murray Sings Dylan's 'Shelter from the Storm' in End Credits Clip from 'St. Vincent' | Rope of Silicon: Bill Murray's upcoming 'St. Vincent' is kind of like all of the scenes Mr. Bloom and Max had in 'Rushmore,' but a full-length movie. And not too bad. But the link is here for the song, because Bill's quite the singer.

It's Monday. Try imagining a place where it's always safe and warm.