Photo by Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

By AARON CRANFORD

Week 30 in MLS had many of the Supporters’ Shield contenders post below-average results, but the reigning MLS Cup champions took the biggest step toward attaining the regular season prize.

The LA Galaxy had been on a slump heading into Sunday’s affair against FC Dallas, but they erased those concerns immediately, scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes before eventually winning 3-2 at home.

Meanwhile, the Portland Timbers were the only other contender to win over the weekend, but it will need more of the same if it wants to claim the Shield by the end of the year. The New York Red Bulls, 48 points, and FC Dallas, 47 points, each have five games remaining, two more than the Galaxy, who have 50 points thus far.

Week 31 has plenty in store for the race to the Supporters’ Shield, and depending on how games play out, a trio of teams could be eliminated from contention — including the Timbers, Sporting KC and D.C. United.

Here are the current MLS Supporters’ Shield standings, and the upcoming matches that will have the biggest impact on that race:

MLS SUPPORTERS’ SHIELD STANDINGS

KEY WEEK 31 MATCH-UPS

FRIDAY

D.C. United vs. New York City FC

SATURDAY

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps

Portland Timbers vs. Sporting KC

SUNDAY

FC Dallas vs. Houston Dynamo

Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy

REMAINING SCHEDULES

at Seattle (10/4), vs . Portland (10/18), at Sporting Kansas City (10/25).

at San Jose Earthquakes (10/3), vs. FC Dallas (10/7), at FC Dallas (10/14), vs. Houston Dynamo (10/25)

vs. Columbus Crew SC (10/3), vs. Montreal Impact (10/7), at Toronto FC (10/14), vs. Philadelphia Union (10/18), at Chicago Fire (10/25)

vs. Houston Dynamo (10/4), at Vancouver Whitecaps (10/7), vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (10/14) at Real Salt Lake (10/17), vs. San Jose Earthquakes (10/25)

at Chicago Fire (10/3), vs. Montreal Impact (10/17), at New York City FC (10/25)

at New York Red Bulls (10/3), at Toronto FC (10/17), vs. D.C. United (10/25)

vs. LA Galaxy (10/4), at Houston Dynamo (10/18), vs. Real Salt Lake (10/25)

vs. New York City FC (10/2), vs. Chicago Fire (10/18), at Columbus Crew SC (10/25)

at Portland Timbers (10/3), at San Jose Earthquakes (10/16), vs. Colorado Rapids (10/21), vs. LA Galaxy (10/25)

vs. Sporting KC (10/3), at Real Salt Lake (10/14), at LA Galaxy (10/18), vs. Colorado Rapids (10/25)

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Who do you see winning the Supporters’ Shield? What match are you most looking forward to this week?

Share your thoughts below.