Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
1. Vancouver (14-9-6) at Seattle (11-8-11), 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The West is either thrilling or a mess, depending upon your viewpoint. The Whitecaps lead Portland and Sporting KC by just one point, and the Sounders by four points. Seattle is winless in five.
2. NYCFC (15-8-7) at Chicago (14-10-6), 8:30 p.m. Saturday. NYCFC needs a win to stay ahead of Atlanta United, which is just three points behind with a game in hand. Chicago, which is in fourth, must win to stay ahead of fifth-place Columbus. The Pigeons have just one win in five.
3. Philadelphia (9-12-9) at Atlanta United (14-8-7), 7 p.m. Wednesday. The post-Almiron stanza begins for the Five Stripes, which can become the first expansion team since Seattle in 2009 to qualify for the playoffs if they win. They can also move into a tie with NYCFC for second in the East.
4. Vancouver (14-9-6) at Sporting KC (12-6-11), 9 p.m. Saturday. Hey, we're back with Vancouver and the West! Sporting KC has yet to lose at home (10-0-5).
5. New York Red Bulls (12-11-6) at Toronto (18-5-8), 7 p.m. Saturday. Suddenly, Toronto has lost two consecutive games. Granted, both happened without Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco.
6. Portland (13-10-8) at San Jose (11-13-6), 10:30 p.m. Saturday. The Earthquakes are tied with Houston on 39 points, one ahead of Dallas. Wins, wins, and more wins are necessary.
7. Chicago (14-10-6) at San Jose (11-13-6), 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. It's tough seeing the Fire traveling across the country and getting three points from this one.
8. NYCFC (15-8-7) at Montreal (11-13-6), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. NYCFC has qualified for the postseason but is fighting for seeding, while the Impact must win to keep the pressure on the New York Red Bulls for the final playoff spot.
9. D.C. United (9-17-4) at New York Red Bulls (12-11-6), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. D.C. has won four of its past six games while the Red Bulls are winless in six. The pressure is on the hosts.
10. Colorado (7-17-5) at Dallas (9-9-11), 8 p.m. Wednesday. Dallas, once considered the best team in the league this season, is winless in its past 10 and in danger of missing the playoffs.
11. Dallas (9-9-11) at Orlando City (9-13-8), 4 p.m. Saturday. See above.
12. D.C. United (9-17-4) at Columbus (14-12-5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Huge game for the Crew, which can try to widen the five-point gap between itself and the Red Bulls.
13. Atlanta United (14-8-7) at New England (11-14-5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday. If Atlanta United defeats Philadelphia on Wednesday, I think you may see a very different lineup for this game, a rematch of the 7-0 beatdown administered by the Five Stripes two weeks ago.
14. Minnesota United (9-15-5) at Houston (10-10-9), 8:30 p.m. Saturday. I really like some of the moves the Loons have made this season, particularly on offense. If the team can shore up its defense in the offseason, watch out.
15. Real Salt Lake (12-14-5) at L.A. Galaxy (7-17-6) , 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Maybe try Gio dos Santos at goalie?
16. Seattle (11-8-11) at Philadelphia (9-12-9), 1 p.m. Sunday. The Union are a good team, they just need one difference-maker to put them among the better teams in the East.
17. L.A. Galaxy (7-17-6) at Houston (10-10-9), 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Houston is 9-1-3 at home this season.
18. Montreal (11-13-6) at Colorado (7-17-5), 9 p.m. Saturday. Two teams that may be competing for new coaches in the offseason.
19. New England (11-14-5) at Orlando City (9-13-8), 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Blech.
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