Photo by Jennifer Buchanan/USA Today Sports

By RYAN TOLMICH

Following the international break, MLS returns with a full slate of games that have plenty of playoff implications.

In the West, the Seattle Sounders and San Jose Earthquakes square off in what could prove to be a playoff eliminator with both sides currently embroiled in a full on battle for a postseason berth.

Meanwhile, in the East, the Montreal Impact fight for a playoff spot in a star-studded clash with the LA Galaxy, while Toronto FC faces off with the New England Revolution in a clash of contenders.

Elsewhere, the New York Red Bulls push towards the top of the East against the Chicago Fire, D.C. United looks to right the ship against the Colorado Rapids and New York City FC looks to make a playoff push in a clash with FC Dallas.

Here’s a closer look at all of this weekend’s MLS action:

NEW YORK RED BULLS vs. CHICAGO FIRE (Friday, 7 p.m., UniMas)

The New York Red Bulls’ pursuit of the Supporters’ Shield continues against one of the league’s bottom-dwellers.

Winners of six of their last eight, the Red Bulls remain in striking distance of their second Supporters’ Shield in three seasons. However, that campaign took a slight hit last week with a loss to the same opponents they take on Friday: the Fire.

Having amassed 27 points through as many games, the Fire are technically still alive in the East, but they’ll have to leapfrog four teams on their way up. This time, though, the Fire will take on a Red Bulls team that is much better equipped at the back, with Kemar Lawrence, Damien Perinelle and Karl Ouimette all returning to their defensive duties.

PHILADELPHIA UNION vs. COLUMBUS CREW (Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Live)

Following a statement win over the surging San Jose Earthquakes, the Philadelphia Union are tasked with taking on another playoff contender in the Columbus Crew.

While the Union enter on a resounding high, the Crew head into Saturday’s game following a frustrating low via a 3-0 loss to FC Dallas. Dominant in possession, the Crew lacked a finishing tough, something that should be remedied with the return of Kei Kamara.

The Union, on the other hand, had no such issues, coming from behind to top the Earthquakes on a pair of late Conor Casey goals. Not yet eliminated from the playoff chase, the Union sit one point out of a spot having played four additonal game.

HOUSTON DYNAMO vs. REAL SALT LAKE ( Saturday, 7 p.m., MLS Live)

Six points out of a playoff spot, the Houston Dynamo need to turn things on as soon as possible.

Playing at home, the Dynamo host the West’s cellar-dwellers in Real Salt Lake. Entering the weekend, the Dynamo have been inconsistent as ever, managing two wins and a draw in their previous five games.

The Dynamo’s form is much better than the oppositions, though, as RSL is just 1-4-0 in recent weeks. Playing without Luke Mulholland and Tony Beltran due to yellow card accumulation, RSL will be up against it in a game that should provide a much clearer picture of where the Dynamo fit out West.

FC DALLAS vs. NEW YORK CITY FC (Saturday, 8:30 p.m., MLS Live)

New York City FC’s playoff hopes are dwindling heading into a clash with FC Dallas.

With another loss this week, NYCFC will be all but eliminated from the playoff race. Three points out with three extra games played, NYCFC are in desperate need of results, and it appears they will have all hands on deck in pursuit. With all three Designated Players expected to play, NYCFC’s task will now come in balancing a midfield that has yet to fully gel since the introductions of Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo.

FC Dallas, meanwhile, appears to be settled into the playoff race, but plenty of wiggle room still remains. With the seventh-place Quakes just six points back, FC Dallas could still fall out. However, after last week’s fireworks against the Crew, FCD will be further boosted by the return of Fabian Castillo after the winger’s Colombia debut.

COLORADO RAPIDS vs. D.C. UNITED (Saturday, 9 p.m., MLS Live)

With their lead atop the East slowly slipping out of grasp, D.C. United could sure use a result Saturday against the Colorado Rapids.

Following three straight losses, D.C.’s stranglehold atop the East has all but loosened, with the surging Red Bulls now appearing to be favorites in the conference race. With a two-point lead and two extra games played, D.C. will need to keep piling up points to stay in the Supporters’ Shield race.

The Rapids are very much out of the Supporters’ Shield race, while the postseason also appears to be well out of the realm of possibility. Barring a miracle run, the Rapids are building through Dillon Powers and Dillon Serna, both of whom have stepped up as the Rapids have won three of four.

LA GALAXY vs. MONTREAL IMPACT (Saturday, 10:30 p.m., MLS Live)

There will be no shortage of starpower on the StubHub Center field Saturday night.

On one side, Chelsea legend and current Impact striker Didier Drogba, riding a hat-trick in his first MLS start. Pushing towards the playoffs, the Impact still have numerous games in hand on those around them as the team continues to ride the Drogba effect towards a postseason berth.

The LA Galaxy, on the other hand, are all but a lock to make the postseason. Both Robbie Keane and Giovani Dos Santos have been hot in league play, with the former scoring a brace for his native Ireland over the international break. Meanwhile, Gyasi Zardes had a strong showing for the U.S. Men’s National Team against Peru, but the talented youngster will be playing on short rest after taking on Brazil midweek.

SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES vs. SEATTLE SOUNDERS (Saturday, 10:30 p.m., MLS Live)

In what may prove to be a playoff eliminator, the San Jose Earthquakes’ clash with the Seattle Sounders has plenty at stake.

The Quakes enter just three points back of a trio of Western Conference contenders, including the fourth-place Seattle Sounders. In pursuit of a playoff position, the Quakes had won four straight before last week’s shock defeat to the Philadelphia Union.

Meanwhile, the Sounders appear to be rounding into form following the returns of Obafemi Martins and Clint Dempsey. With Osvaldo Alonso returning to boost the midfield, the Sounders are finally moving towards full strength, a welcome change for a team that has been embroiled in one of the team’s worst periods in recent memory.

TORONTO FC vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (Sunday, 5 p.m., ESPN 2)

Eastern Conference positioning is on the line at BMO Field with two teams fighting for favorable seating.

In a potential playoff preview, Toronto FC hosts a New England Revolution team that sits just three points behind them with a game in hand. Having gone 5-0-1 in their past six matches, the Revs are the team in form, with TFC winners of two straight before falling last week to the Sounders.

The matchup boasts a highly-anticipated battle in midfield, with U.S. Men’s National Team teammates Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley doing battle in the center of the field. Questions arise at the forward position for TFC, though, as Sebastian Giovinco remains questionable due to injury.

ORLANDO CITY vs. SPORTING KANSAS CITY (Sunday, 7 p.m., Fox Sports 1)

Orlando City’s freefall looks likely to continue against one of the West’s fiercest contenders.

The Lions have been a mess since the start of August, picking up just two points in the team’s past six games. With Kaka set to miss out after suffering an injury while on Brazil duty, Orlando City will be shorthanded in a major way against a Sporting KC side that enters on short rest.

Following a scoreless draw with the Portland Timbers, Sporting KC is within seven points of the West’s top spot with two games in hand. At the forward position, Krisztian Nemeth is set to return to Sporting KC after serving Hungary in Euro 2016 qualifiers.