Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.

Week 5

1. L.A.F.C. (2-0-0) at L.A. Galaxy (1-1-1), 3 p.m. Saturday: Man, do I wish Rage Against the Machine would re-form to play in the parking lot of Stubhub Center before this game. The Battle of Los Angeles is joined.

2. Vancouver (2-1-1) at Columbus (3-0-1), 3 p.m. Saturday: A litmus test of a game. If Columbus wins, I think it is a true contender in the East. If Vancouver wins, it is a contender in what looks like a weak West.

3. Atlanta United (2-1-0) at Minnesota United (2-2-0), 8 p.m. Saturday: Atlanta United's first road game was an absolute disaster. Now, it can show if it's learned anything after posting back-to-back wins at home. Of course, it may snow.

4. New York Red Bulls (2-1-0) at Orlando City (0-2-1) 1 p.m. Saturday: Orlando City has back-to-back home games. It has already dropped five points at home. How many more chances will Jason Kreis get?

5. Real Salt Lake (1-1-1) at Toronto (0-2-0), 8 p.m. Friday: Ok, time for Toronto to begin bouncing back.

6. NYCFC (3-0-1) at San Jose (1-1-0), 8 p.m. Saturday: This will be a tough game for NYCFC. On the road. Across the country. A decent San Jose squad. Still, three points doesn't seem improbable.

7. D.C. United (0-2-2) at Sporting KC (2-1-1), 8:30 p.m. Saturday: This is a chance for Sporting KC to sort out its issues on defense (odd to type) because D.C. United isn't good on offense. At all.

8. New England (1-1-1) at Houston (1-1-1), 8:30 p.m. Saturday: The Dynamo should win this game fairly easily.

9. Portland (0-2-1) at Chicago (0-2-0), 6 p.m. Saturday: The Timbers earned their first point last week, while Chicago is still trying to figure out its lineup.

10. Philadelphia (1-0-1) at Colorado (0-1-1), 9 p.m. Saturday: Ugh. Umm. Philly's kids will get a tough test in the altitude.

11. Montreal (1-2-0) at Seattle (0-2-0), 10 p.m. Saturday: And there's this one. Seattle looks awful. Montreal looks hopeful.

About the Author

Keep Reading

A Korean Air plane takes off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. The plane is chartered to bring back Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in Georgia. (Yonhap via AP)

Credit: AP

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com