Time is running short for D.C. United and the Chicago Fire, and an accelerated level of stress is put on each of the remaining regular season games for two teams with postseason aspirations.

As two of the three teams on the outside of the current playoff picture but within striking range, United and the Fire need to pile on the results beginning with tonight's matches against the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas, respectively. Chicago-Dallas is slated for an 8:30 p.m. first kick, while D.C.-Vancouver is set to start at 10 p.m. Both matches can be seen via MLS Direct Kick/MatchDay Live.

D.C. won't have the services of talisman Dwayne De Rosario, who played for Canada in a World Cup qualifier Tuesday night and didn't make the trip from Toronto to Vancouver. De Rosario and the injured Chris Pontius were key elements of United's 4-0 victory over the Whitecaps at RFK Stadium back in August, so the club will need to find a new formula to top a team that is coming off a pride-showing 3-0 home win over Real Salt Lake.

Chicago, meanwhile, catches Brimstone Cup rival FC Dallas in a bit of a lull and a bit shorthanded. Brek Shea has travelled to Bridgeview, Ill., for the match, but he's not expected to play a big role, if any, as he'll be on the bench following his two appearances with the U.S. national team over the last five days. Captain Daniel Hernandez (card accumulation) is also out for FCD, which takes away some of the bite in the midfield and should open up ample space for the speedy tandem of Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko to build off their recent runs of form.

D.C. has a game in hand and is currently a point ahead of surging Chicago in the unpredictable wildcard hunt. Through 32 games, New York and Houston are currently level on points (43) for the final two wildcard spots. Portland lingers three points behind both with a game in hand, and D.C. is five points off the pace set by the Red Bulls and Dynamo but has two games in hand on each. 

As if Wednesday night's matches weren't important enough for D.C. and Chicago, it'll only get more intense this weekend, when the two meet for the final time this season in the nation's capital.

——————— 

Who do you see winning tonight's MLS games? Do you see either D.C. or Chicago breaking into the playoffs?

Share your thoughts below.