MLS Viewing Guide, Week 24

It really seems like yesterday that the optimism of a new season was upon us and the biggest concern was fighting off cold and snow to make a match.  I don't know where the time went but the season is entering its final third and playoff races are really heating up.  No one is eliminated yet, but it is crunch time for several teams who have to look at their fixtures this week as must wins.

Here is the Major League Soccer Viewing Guide, Week 24

Off This Week: Columbus Crew SC and Montreal Impact

Thursday, August 13

New York City FC vs D.C. United--Yankee Stadium--5:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

For NYCFC this has to be a match that you have to get three points from.  While you are only four points behind sixth place, the sixth place team will have three games in hand on you after this one.  For DCU, they are one of the class teams in MLS and, although it might not always be pretty, they get it done.  This will be a frustrating draw for NYCFC.

Friday, August 14

San Jose Earthquakes vs Colorado Rapids--Avaya Stadium--9:00 PM MDT (UniMas)

This is a must win for both clubs if they want to keep their faint and fading playoff hopes alive.  Nothing short of 3 points will do but these teams have a bad habit of drawing games and play some of the ugliest soccer known to mankind.  The Quakes have not won since June 27 and the Rapids have dropped two in a row.  Something will give in this one and San Jose will grab the critical three points and add to the misery of the Burgundy Boys.

Saturday, August 15

New York Red Bulls vs Toronto FC--Red Bull Arena--5:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Will the real Toronto FC team please stand up and be counted.  I think TFC makes the playoffs, but that will be more a function of a weak Eastern Conference then a good TFC team.  The Metros are a very good team and one that will advance far in the playoffs this year and will grab a win against Toronto.

New England Revolution vs Houston Dynamo--Gillette Stadium--5:30 PM MDT (MLS Live)

The Dynamo are playing pretty well and they truly do have a shot at the sixth spot in the Western Conference.  But traveling to New England is no easy task and the Revs are starting to click it into gear.  A victory for the home team.

FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy--Toyota Stadium--7:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Me thinks there are gonna be some pissed off people at this one:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">FC Dallas shocks supporters with substantial increase in season ticket prices <a href="http://t.co/nfAZPPIbkt">http://t.co/nfAZPPIbkt</a> <a href="http://t.co/isQxwFReYr">pic.twitter.com/isQxwFReYr</a></p>&mdash; Total MLS (@TotalMLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/TotalMLS/status/631826289196855296">August 13, 2015</a></blockquote>

<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Victory for FC Dallas.

Sporting Kansas City vs Vancouver Whitecaps--Sporting Park--7:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

Damn, this has all of the makings of a Western Conference final as it is clear that these are two of the class teams in MLS.  Who is better?  Who cares, this is must see TV on Saturday night.  Calling a mild upset: Caps with the road win.

Portland Timbers vs Real Salt Lake--Providence Park--8:00 PM MDT (MLS Live)

RSL is not having a good week.  They were waxed vs Vancouver over the weekend and then bounced out of the US Open Cup by Sporting.  And for their troubles:  A trip to Portland.  The Timbers win this one.

Sunday, August 16

Seattle Sounders vs Orlando City--Century Link Field--3:00 PM MDT (ESPN2)

Seattle will win.  Seattle will win.  Seattle will win.  That is what I keep telling myself and one day it will be true.  Is Sunday that day.  I say yes!  (Maybe.  Probably)

Philadelphia Union vs Chicago Fire--PPL Park--5:00 PM MDT (Fox Sports 1)

Yawn.  0-0 draw.