By BRYAN ROBISON
A couple of possible playoff matchups take place today, as the MLS season winds down, entering the final six weeks of the season. The hottest club in the league had been the Columbus Crew, until they faced a setback against the New England Revolution ten days ago. They will look to return to the win column today as they host the New York Red Bulls, who have not played in well over two weeks.
Meanwhile, up north in Montreal, the Impact will play host to the Chicago Fire, who have come on very strong over the last two months, vaulting to second place in the Eastern Conference. After an undefeated August, Montreal will look to continue their impressive debut season, as they sit three points out of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Also taking place today is one of the final matches for the Cascadia Cup, as the Seattle Sounders will travel to JELD-WEN Field to take on the Portland Timbers. Despite their struggles this year, Portland leads the standings for the trophy, with seven points over second place Seattle, which has four points.
In a critical Western Conference matchup, FC Dallas will take on the Vancouver Whitecaps, as Dallas looks to continue their improbable playoff run. Sitting four points behind Vancouver for the final playoff spot out west, Dallas will look to pull within one point of the Whitecaps with a win tonight.
Here is today's MLS schedule:
1 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Toronto FC vs. Philadelphia Union
3:30 p.m. - NBC - Portland Timbers vs. Seattle Sounders
7 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew
7:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - D.C. United vs. New England Revolution
8:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Chicago Fire vs. Montreal Impact
8:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick – FC Dallas vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
10:30 p.m. - MLS Live/Direct Kick - Chivas USA vs. San Jose Earthquakes
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If you will be watching tonight's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below (and also be sure to follow us on Twitter at @soccerbyives for updates on all of today's matches).
Enjoy the action.