September is almost here and the MLS playoff race is beginning to tighten as teams begin to realize just how much tougher it is to make the post-season than it was a few years ago.
The Home Depot Clasico serves as the weekend's headliner, with the Los Angeles looking to put a stranglehold on the playoff spot it currently holds, while also putting a dent into its arch-rival's own post-season chances.
While the LA tilt gets plenty of attention, the Chicago-D.C. United match-up is just as important, with D.C. needing a win to keep pace in the brutal battle for the last playoff spots. With the U.S. Open Cup final looming next Wednesday, D.C. will have some tough decisions to make as far as who to play and who to rest vs. Chicago.
Here is a look at this week's matches as well as the Best XI match-ups to watch:
MLS Week 24 Schedule
SATURDAY
Toronto FC at Seattle Sounders(4pm, Direct Kick)
San Jose Earthquakes at New England Revolution(7:30pm, Direct Kick)
D.C. United at Chicago Fire(8:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel)
Real Salt Lake at Kansas City Wizards(8:30pm, Direct Kick)
Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy(11pm, ESPN2)
SUNDAY
Houston Dynamo at Colorado Rapids(3pm, Telefutura)
Columbus Crew at New York Red Bulls(6pm, MSG)
Week 24 Best XI MLS match-ups
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Pablo Mastroeni vs. Stuart Holden
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Geoff Cameron & Bobby Boswell vs. Conor Casey & Omar Cummings
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Cuauhtemoc Blanco vs. Ben Olsen
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David Beckham vs. Jesse Marsch
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Amado Guevara vs. Osvaldo Alonso
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Darren Huckerby vs. Steve Ralston
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Luciano Emilio vs. Wilman Conde
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Brian Namoff vs. Marco Pappa
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Juan Pablo Angel vs. Chad Marshall
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Marvell Wynne vs. Steve Zakuani
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Jimmy Conrad vs. Robbie Findley
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Which match are you looking forward to the most? Who do you see winning the "SuperClasico"? Think the Red Bulls have any chance against the Crew?
Share your thoughts below.
GOOD LUCK RED BULLS THIS SUNDAY
DC at home can only mean one thing this year.
Several curious and blown calls.
Who cares if USSF says they were bad calls a week later. Doesnt do anything to get our deserved points.
Columbus will beat NYRB just out of shame. They will be desperately trying to clean the stink of that 5-0 Cruz Azul loss off their collective psyche.
It won’t be easy though after NYRB finally got a new coach and a win to go with it.
Quakes have only a mathematical chance to get in, but I’d love for them just to finish strong. I’ve seen them play in a few games and I think they have more talent than their terrible record would seem to suggest. Frank Y. seems like a nice guy, but I think the problem may be with coaching.
that sux! Bradley needs playing time this year, and lots of it!
Not sure the veracity, but the BS scuttlebutt on Bradley is that he had a bit of a disagreement with the gaffer regarding his recent bout of suckitude. I believe in German it’s called “pulling a Mathis”.
why does toronto ALWAYS seem to play at 4pm
like 70% of their games are 4pmers
whats up with that?
I’ll be at Dead Bulls game. Will post how it goes.
Anybody up for tailgating?
HC
IVES————–or ANYONE—-off topic, but where was Michael Bradley today- he was not on the roster for their game.. is he hurt??? please say NO!
Call: Seaaaaaaaaaaattle!
Response: Souuuuuuuuunders!
Looking forward to seeing TFC deal with home-field advantage from the other side of the table for a change.
if the Quakes win this one.
No one will want to play with them because they are like NY.
They have nothing to loose.
i think chivas usa maybe the dirtiest players in the league.. but the fire my play the worst brand of soccer.. its so ugly and since it gets some results they continue to do it.. it makes me cry
Galaxy vs. the Scummy black stain on the league
let’s see who’s Donovan gonna own this time? hmmm
come on quakes, try not to suck. oh, too late. at least the sharks can make the playoffs before they choke.
If Conor Casey becomes the league top scorer, is there a chance he will leave? just curious
Bornstein vs. Donovan depending on Landy’s role in match??
If Marshall has a game like he did against Cruz Azul the game could get ugly. The Crew hate playing on plastic pitches and suffered pretty badly last year at NY. Hopefully they’ll pull it out this week.
I have no idea what to expect from the NY game.
Good-looking match-ups all around the league 🙂