By IVES GALARCEP

We are down to the final five weeks of the 2015 MLS season and even though there is just a month left in the season, the race for the Supporters’ Shield is jam packed.

As many as nine teams have a claim to be considered in the race for the prize that goes to the team with the best regular season record in MLS, and while some team clearly have better odds than others at this point, no team has run away with the race, or even has a big edge heading into the final weeks.

A month ago, smart money would have poured into the LA Galaxy’s chances of lifting the Supporters’ Shield, but a recent slump has dropped Bruce Arena’s side back into the pack, and a tough remaining schedule will not make it easy for the Galaxy to regain the top spot.

The SBI Question of the Day is a simple one. Which team would you bet on winning the Supporters’ Shield right now?

You can cast your vote after the jump, as we break down the candidates still in the running for the Supporters Shield:

NEW YORK RED BULLS

Tied with Vancouver on total points, the Red Bulls have a game in hand and a relatively easy remaining schedule. The key match for the Red Bulls will be on Oct. 3 against the Columbus Crew. A win there would be a big step toward a second Supporters’ Shield in three seasons.

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS

The Whitecaps lead the West despite alternating wins and losses over the past five weeks, but they do have the easiest schedule of the Western Conference contenders. A pair of back-to-back matches against FC Dallas in October will determine if the Whitecaps can win the shield.

FC DALLAS

With a game in hand on Vancouver, and facing the Whitecaps twice in October, FC Dallas very much has its fate in its own hands. This weekend’s visit to the LA Galaxy will either boost Oscar Pareja’s side to the top of the conversation, or be a big blow ahead of those tough Vancouver matches.

LA GALAXY

Having failed to score in three straight matches, the Galaxy are in a major funk, and they’re facing the toughest remaining schedule of the bunch. This weekend’s home date against FC Dallas will tell us a lot, but the match to watch down the stretch will be the Oct. 4 clash against Seattle.

COLUMBUS CREW

Boasting a 5-1-1 record in their past seven matches, the Crew have quietly slid into the Supporters’ Shield conversation, but will need plenty of help to make that dream a reality. If they can beat a struggling Portland this weekend, they will head to Red Bull Arena on Oct. 3 with a chance to grab first place in the East, as well as edge closer to the West contenders for the shield.

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION

Currently in sixth in the overall standings, and with no games in hand, the Revs should be considered a long shot, but working in their favor is the fact they will face the easiest remaining schedule of all the contenders. If Jay Heaps’ team can win out, which is entirely possible against a slate featuring Philadelphia, Chicago, Montreal and New York City FC, they could take advantage of the teams above them knocking each other off.

SEATTLE SOUNDERS

Realistically speaking, too much needs to happen for the Sounders to jump back into the Supporters’ Shield race. Sure, the Sounders can finish strong and wind up being one of the top two teams in the West, which is a respectable target, but leap-frogging six teams to grab the shield is unlikely.

D.C. UNITED

Though only three points out of the top spot, D.C. is currently in eighth place overall and is mired in a terrible run of form. The better question is can D.C. United avoid falling any further in the East standings?

SPORTING KANSAS CITY

Despite being in ninth place overall, Sporting KC makes the list of contenders due to the two games in hand it has on several contenders. Unfortunately for KC, the Red Bulls and FC Dallas aren’t two of those teams, and the presence of the Galaxy and Sounders on their remaining schedule will make a late shield run unlikely.

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Now it’s your turn to vote. Which team do you see winning the Supporters Shield? Cast your vote here:
[polldaddy poll=9092426]
Who did you vote for? Which team do you see being the favorite? Which darkhorse could you see jumping in?

Share your thoughts below.