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MLS playoffs are set to begin tonight

Major League Soccers playoffs begin this week with knockout games in each conference between the clubs that finished in fourth and fifth place in the regular season.

In the Western Conference, FC Dallas plays host to the Vancouver Whitecaps tonight. The winner faces first-place Seattle in one of the two-game conference semifinals Sunday and Nov. 10. The second-place Los Angeles Galaxy plays third-place Real Salt Lake in the other Western Conference semifinal. The first game is in Utah on Saturday and the second in California on Nov. 9.

The winners of the conference semifinals are determined by the aggregate number of goals scored over both games.

In the Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls play host to reigning champion Sporting Kansas City in a knockout game Thursday. The winner plays first-place D.C. United in one of the conference semifinals Sunday and Nov. 8. The New England Revolution plays the Columbus Crew in the other Eastern Conference semifinal Saturday and Nov. 9.

Winners in the semifinal rounds advance to the two-game conference championships, also decided by aggregate goals, on Nov. 23 and Nov. 29-30.

The conference winners meet in the MLS Cup championship game Dec. 7, which will be hosted by whichever of the two teams had the best regular-season record. (Los Angeles Times)

Zidanes ban criticized The French Football Federation says it disagrees with a three-month coaching ban imposed on Zinedine Zidane, saying UEFA rules allow him to coach while studying for his coaching badge. A Spanish judge on Monday banned Zidane from coaching Real Madrids reserves following a complaint by Miguel Galan, the president of Spains national training center for football coaches. Galan said Frances 1998 World Cup winner did not have the required qualifications. But FFF President Noel Le Graet says its a pity for European football that an iconic player like Zidane, who is worldwide famous and has decided to take a course to earn his French coaching badge, cannot do his job like UEFA entitles him to. Madrid, where Zidane played from 2001 until retiring in 2006, can appeal the judges ruling. (AP)

Russia, Ukraine could meet FIFA, soccers governing body, said it has not decided to keep Russia and Ukraine apart in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup despite reports to the contrary. Against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis, Russian media quoted FIFA President Sepp Blatter as saying Ukraine would not be allowed to play host nation Russia in group matches. However, those reports were based on a translation mistake, FIFA spokeswoman Delia Fischer told The Associated Press. No decision has been made but the situation will be assessed when the groups are drawn in 2017, if Ukraine qualifies, she said. Russia potentially could be drawn against Ukraine if both teams qualify for Euro 2016. (AP)

Djokovic wins In his initial match since the birth of his first child, defending champion Novak Djokovic stayed on course to finish the season ranked No. 1 by defeating Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Masters tennis tournament. The top-seeded Djokovic took a 5-1 lead in the first set and broke his German opponent in the opening game of the second.

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Digest: MLS playoffs start tonight