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MLS Week 20: A Look Ahead

CaliffDonovan (Getty)

By THOMAS FLOYD

The Los Angeles Galaxy will be out for a dose of SuperClasico revenge this weekend.

Chivas USA grabbed its first win in the Home Depot Center rivalry since 2007 with a 1-0 triumph in May. Come Saturday, the Galaxy will look to even the season series and widen their narrow lead over Chivas for the fifth and final Western Conference playoff slot.

Elsewhere, the Interstate 95 feud between the New York Red Bulls and Philadelphia Union will feature a new wrinkle, as Sebastien Le Toux goes up against the side that traded him to Vancouver in the offseason, and the latest installment of the Rocky Mountain Cup featuring Real Salt Lake and the Colorado Rapids will go down at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Here is a rundown of the Week 20 slate:

NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. PHILADELPHIA UNION (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ESPN/ESPN3.com/TSN2)

Currently sitting on a three-game winning streak, the Union have made an unlikely surge up the standings since the firing of coach Peter Nowak. Though they still sit 11 points out of playoff positioning, they have several games in hand on the opposition.

They'll be up against a familiar face on Saturday in recently acquired New York forward Sebastien Le Toux. Defensively, though, New York will be without the injured Rafa Marquez (calf) and Heath Pearce (hamstring).

COLUMBUS CREW vs. D.C. UNITED (Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live)

A week after a 4-0 loss at Houston, United will look to go into their All-Star break with a bounce-back win over a Columbus team that has lost two in a row.

Goalkeeper Joe Willis will start for United after Bill Hamid received a red card last weekend, while Emilio Renteria will sit out for the Crew because of an MLS Disciplinary Committee suspension.

HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. MONTREAL IMPACT (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live/TSN)

With Geoff Cameron evidently en route to Stoke City, the Dynamo will begin the process of adapting to life without their rock-solid U.S. national team defender-midfielder.

With Macoumba Kandji, Oscar Boniek Garcia and Will Bruin all in fine form, Houston could have an offensive field day against a Montreal back line that has allowed a league-worst 39 goals in 22 games.

SPORTING KANSAS CITY vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live)

Now sitting alone atop the Eastern Conference standings once more, Kansas City will want to expand that lead with a win over a New England team it already handled once in a 3-0 win at home in March.

At 1-7-1 on the road, the Revolution will have a tough time securing a result against a Kansas City squad that has protected Livestrong Sporting Park to the tune of a 6-2-1 mark this season.

FC DALLAS vs. PORTLAND TIMBERS (Saturday, 9 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live)

With Portland struggling mightily since the firing of coach John Spencer and Dallas coping with an apparent rift between coach Schellas Hyndman and star Brek Shea, this match features two of the more dysfunctional clubs in MLS at the moment. 

Dallas will be without the dynamic attacking talents of Fabian Castillo in this one as the Colombian sits out because of yellow card accumulation.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY vs. CHIVAS USA (Saturday, 10 p.m., Telefutura)

The surge of Designated Players David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane has the Galaxy unbeaten in three and four points ahead of Chivas for the final Western Conference playoff slot, although Chivas do have three games in hand.

Even with Chivas' win earlier this season, Los Angeles still boasts a 7-1-3 record in the SuperClasico since the beginning of the 2008 season.

REAL SALT LAKE vs. COLORADO RAPIDS (Saturday, 10 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live)

Currently on a four-game losing streak and losers of six of their last seven matches, the Rapids desperately need a win over their Rocky Mountain rival if they're going to stay in the Western Conference playoff race.

Each side will have a major void to fill in central midfield, with Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman (red card) and Colorado's Jeff Larentowicz (yellow card accumulation) suspended.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (Sunday, 7 p.m., Direct Kick/MLS Live)

At 13-4-4 with an astonishing 43 goals scored in 21 games, the Earthquakes are on pace for a historic campaign. Vancouver, meanwhile, is a team in flux, adjusting to the entrance of Kenny Miller and Dane Richards and exits of Le Toux and Davide Chiumiento.

It will be a hectic couple of days for the five All-Stars in this Sunday night match (Vancouver's Jay DeMerit and San Jose's Steven Beitashour, Justin Morrow, Ramiro Corrales and Chris Wondolowski), as they will have a long flight and minimal preparation before representing MLS against Chelsea in Chester, Pa., on Wednesday.

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