Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
Week 12
New York Red Bulls at Atlanta United, 7 p.m. Sunday: The Five Stripes' tough stretch continues with a game that should features lots of goals and attacking play. Atlanta United has become very good at not just shutting out, but shutting down, the other team's top scorer in the past 12 months. Can they do the same against Bradley Wright-Phillips?
Orlando City at Toronto, 8 p.m. Friday: Two teams that, this season, have a lot to prove. The Lions' six-game winning streak was snapped by Atlanta United last week. Toronto can't find the same mojo it had last season. Injuries are playing a part and Michael Bradley is disastrous at centerback with three goals allowed because of his errors in the past two games.
LAFC at Portland, 3 p.m. Saturday: Finally, a good matchup between two Western Conference teams. LAFC's defense has been solid since the beat down in Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Giovani Savarese has turned around the Timbers' poor start to post four consecutive wins.
Columbus at New England, 7:30 p.m. Saturday: The Revs will put their eight-game unbeaten streak at home on the line against Gyasi Zardes and his eight goals this season. Stunning.
Vancouver at Dallas, 4 p.m. Saturday: Is this a potential Western Conference finals showdown? Probably not. Definitely a potential playoff matchup. The Whitecaps are a different team with Kei Kamara.
Houston at Chicago, 4 p.m. Sunday: The Dynamo's road woes (0-1-3) are the reason it's not above the red line in the West. Chicago is ripe of the picking.
Sporting KC at Minnesota United, 2 p.m. Sunday: The Loons are the oddest team in MLS. They will win a few, and then lose a few. This will likely be their third consecutive loss.
Colorado at NYCFC, 1 pm. Saturday: The Pigeons need three points to keep pace in the tough East. This should be an easy trio.
Real Salt Lake at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. Saturday: Umm. I love Chester Avenue.
San Jose at Vancouver, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday: I love Gastown.
D.C. United at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Saturday: I've never been to San Jose.
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