Photo by Joe Nicholson/USA TODAY Sports

 

By RYAN TOLMICH

After 32 weeks of action, the Supporters’ Shield comes down to a two-game clash between the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders.

The Galaxy and Sounders kick off their series Sunday, as the Sounders need just one win or two draws to lock up the regular season crown.

In addition, the Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps are left to battle it out for the Western Conference’s final playoff spot with just two games remaining in the MLS regular season. The Timbers, who toppled the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 last time out, face the first of back-to-back games against playoff teams when they take on Real Salt Lake on Friday. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps travel south to San Jose to take on the Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium.

In the East, the Columbus Crew can lock up a playoff spot with a single point from their trip to Red Bull Arena, while Toronto FC look to keep the club’s slim hopes alive against the Montreal Impact.

Here is a rundown of the Week 33 schedule:

PORTLAND TIMBERS vs. REAL SALT LAKE (Friday, 10 p.m., NBCSN)

Trailing the Whitecaps by just a single point, the Portland Timbers look to remain in the playoff picture Friday against Real Salt Lake.

RSL will be battling to stay out of the dreaded wild card game, but will have to do so without defender Chris Schuler, who is out due to a facial injury

TORONTO FC vs. MONTREAL IMPACT (Saturday, 2 p.m., Univision Deportes)

Toronto FC enter the weekend in need of a win, and even that might not be enough to secure a postseason position.

Midfielder Michael Bradley and rookie centerback Nick Hagglund will miss out due to suspension, as the Impact look to bounce their Canadian rival from the playoff picture.

COLORADO RAPIDS vs. FC DALLAS (Saturday, 3 p.m., NBCSN)

Just one point out of third place, FC Dallas enter Saturday’s match highly favored against the lowly Colorado Rapids.

Despite the absence of defender Moises Hernandez, FCD will look to leapfrog RSL with a victory over the Rapids, who are winless in their last 12 games.

PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. SPORTING KC (Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Direct Kick)

Fresh off one of the most demoralizing collapses in recent memory, the Philadelphia Union could still play spoiler against Sporting KC.

Although Matt Besler will be battling injury, the reigning MLS Cup champions look to pick up points in an effort to avoid falling to the conference’s fourth seed.

D.C. UNITED vs. CHICAGO FIRE (Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Direct Kick)

D.C. United need just a draw to clinch the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

Luckily, the team’s next game comes against the masters of the art, the Chicago Fire. The Fire will also be without defender Bakary Soumare, who is suspended with yellow-card accumulation.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (Saturday, 10:30, MLS Direct Kick)

With the Timbers on their heels, the Whitecaps will look to increase their lead above the red line with a victory over the Earthquakes.

Meanwhile, the Earthquakes enter the weekend on the heels of the recent dismissal of head coach Mark Watson, who will be replaced by the Dynamo’s Dominic Kinnear at the end of the season.

NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. COLUMBUS CREW (Sunday, 3 p.m., UniMas)

The Columbus Crew need just a point to lock up a playoff spot, but this weekend the club takes on a Red Bulls side with plenty to play for.

The Red Bulls, who will be without Tim Cahill, are still in the hunt for third place, which they trail by just two points

LA GALAXY vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS (Sunday, 8 p.m., ESPN 2)

After 32 weeks, the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders will battle it out for the Supporters’ Shield.

Needing just one win in the upcoming two game series, the Sounders take on a Galaxy side that emerged victorious in the two sides’ only meeting this season.

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Think the Sounders manage to earn the first Supporters’ Shield in club history? Can Vancouver hold off the Timbers for another week?

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