Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
1. Dallas at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Saturday. The game of the week. Dallas is quietly going about its business, while Sporting KC's defensive struggles are real, but not spectacular.
2. LA Galaxy at LAFC, 10:30 p.m. Thursday. A rivalry re-joined. How did that first one end again? Oh yeah, President Ibrahimovic dropping some ALL CAPS goals on Bob Bradley.
3. NYCFC at Orlando, 8 p.m. Thursday. Orlando fell apart in the final seconds of last week's 3-2 loss at Columbus, but weren't helped by extremely poor officiating. Every game is a must-win for the Lions if they hope to make the playoffs for the first time. NYCFC needs to win to keep pace with Atlanta United and the Red Bulls.
4. Atlanta United at Montreal, 7 p.m. Saturday. This will be a fascinating tactical matchup between one team that's succeeding by bunkering and countering, and another that is at its best when things get strung out. Can the Impact slow down Josef Martinez?
5. Columbus at New York Red Bulls, 7 p.m. Saturday. A very short turn-around for the Red Bulls, who will take another step toward making up its games-in-hand advantage. Columbus roared back to life with a ref-aided victory at Orlando, powered by Wil Trapp's thunderous strike. I don't think they will be as fortunate in this game.
6. New York Red Bulls at D.C. United, 8 p.m. Wednesday. D.C. United pretty much needs to average more than two points per game in its remaining games to have any chance of making the playoffs. With so many home games, it's possible. The Red Bulls tend to play down to their opponents, but need a win to stay on pace with Atlanta United and NYCFC. Should be a nice mix of desperation and inspiration.
7. Houston at Portland, 9 p.m. Saturday. The Timbers are winning (or drawing) ugly, but at some point their luck is going to run out.
8. . Orlando at LA. Galaxy, 9 :30 p.m. Sunday. This game might not mean much if both have lost their mid-week game. If they haven't, this will be very exciting.
9. Philadelphia at Houston, 9 p.m. Wednesday. The Union shouldn't have much of a chance in this game, but I'm souring on Houston, even at home where it is 6-2-2 this season.
10. Minnesota United at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Saturday. The Loons are on fire with three consecutive wins and coming off a demolition of LAFC. Three more points against the reeling Whitecaps should be had.
11. Chicago at Toronto, 7 p.m. Saturday. Why does MLS schedule the same two teams to meet in consecutive games? Chicago should have won the previous meeting, but Nemanja Nikolic wasted two opportunities.
12. Colorado at D.C. United, 8 p.m. Saturday. I wonder if Wayne Rooney will play in this one? It's another home game, so probably. But he looked gassed at Atlanta United and the team will have already played on Wednesday.
13. NYCFC at Seattle, 5 p.m. Sunday. Seattle is starting to wake up, but I think it's too little, too late. I'm sure Atlanta United supporters wouldn't mind seeing them drink a big cup of Starbucks before this one.
14. Real Salt Lake at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Nope. Nothing to say.
15. Seattle at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. Ugh. Just ugh.
