Ranking this week's MLS games

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

Atlanta United at New York Red Bulls, 5 p.m. Sunday. A gigantic match in terms of seeding implications for MLS playoffs, as well as a possible first-round matchup preview. Atlanta United is in third, three points behind second-place NYCFC, one ahead of fourth-place Chicago and three ahead of fifth-place Columbus. Red Bulls can actually catch Chicago if it wins out and Chicago drops its final two.

Sporting KC at Houston, 7 p.m. Wednesday and Houston at Sporting KC, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. I did a double-take when I saw they would be playing back-to-back games. Despite being in second in the West, Sporting KC still hasn't clinched a playoff spot. A win on Wednesday would do that. Houston, which is in fifth with 43 points, needs six points just to make sure it stays among the top six.

Montreal at Toronto, 5 p.m. Sunday. This is third only because Toronto can reach an MLS record 71 points if it wins its last two games.

Dallas at Seattle, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Dallas is in sixth with 43 points, one point more than Real Salt Lake, while Seattle is in fourth with 47 points. Is the West really good or not that good?

San Jose at Vancouver, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. You will notice a theme: San Jose is in eighth with 42 points. It needs to keep winning, but has just three victories on the road this season.

Philadelphia at Chicago, 5 p.m. Sunday. Chicago also has a decent chance of moving up to second in the East if it can win its final two games.

NYCFC at New England, 5 p.m. Sunday. NYCFC must keep winning to clinch that bye that comes with the second seed. One more win, combined with an Atlanta United loss, will do that.

Real Salt Lake at Colorado, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Real Salt Lake is in seventh in the West. Win. Win. Win.

D.C. United at Portland, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The Timbers are in third with 47 points.

Columbus at Orlando City, 5 p.m. Sunday. Yawn.

Minnesota United at L.A. Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Adrian Heath won't win coach of the year in MLS, but he has done a remarkable job with the Loons after such an horrific start. A team to watch next season if the defense can be strengthened.