Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
Sporting KC at New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. Saturday. Possible MLS Cup preview.
Portland at LAFC, 6 p.m. Sunday. The top two teams in the West face off. As odd as it seems, I think expansion team LAFC is more of a threat to win the West than Portland, whose defensive tactics may not work well in the playoffs.
Montreal at NYCFC, 7 p.m. Wednesday. Montreal has a four-game winning streak, with just one win against a team with a winning record. Its new focus on a compact defense will be put to the test at Yankee Stadium, a site that's a joke for a field.
Columbus at NYCFC, 7 p.m. Saturday. A big game for Atlanta United because NYCFC is second in the East, six points behind the Five Stripes before the boys in blue play on Wednesday. A Crew win would be a huge boost for Atlanta United in its quest to take the top seed.
Philadelphia at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Almost a six-pointer in terms of the chase for playoff spots in the East. Chicago is in seventh, one point behind Montreal, and Philadelphia is in eighth, three points behind.
L.A. Galaxy at New England, 7:30 p.m., Saturday. The Galaxy are unbeaten in five. Raise your hand if you think they are a threat in the West. I didn't think so.
Vancouver at D.C. United, 8 p.m. Saturday. Could be Wayne Rooney's debut in the opening of the Audi Field. Those are the only two reasons this game is interesting.
Chicago at Dallas, 8 p.m., Saturday. Chicago has one win its past five. If it doesn't defeat Philadelphia on Wednesday, this one is almost a must-win.
Real Salt Lake at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Saturday. Real Salt Lake has won two consecutive games. It should make for three in this one.
Seattle at Atlanta, 2 p.m. Sunday. Well, Atlanta United's Josef Martinez has outscored Seattle this season, 18 goals to 15. Seriously.
Toronto at Orlando, 8 p.m. Saturday. It's the "I don't stink, you stink!" game of the week. If you put Michael Bradley and Sacha Kljestan together in a 40-yard dash, it may not finish until Week 21.
San Jose at Montreal, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. If Montreal somehow defeats NYCFC on Wednesday, this game will be much more interesting in terms of the playoff race in the East.
Houston at Colorado, 9 p.m. Saturday. Houston is 1-4-3 on the road this season. Colorado is just dull.
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