Here we go. The final week of the MLS regular season. Sporting Kansas City has already booked a playoff spot, but can still finish anywhere from 3-5.
The scenarios for each finish are simple. Sporting KC and the Columbus Crew each have 49 points but Sporting KC holds the first tiebreaker with more wins. The New York Red Bulls are currently in fifth place with 47 points.
If Sporting KC defeats the New York Red Bulls on Sunday (7:30pm, ESPN2, Buy Tickets) they will finish in third place in the Eastern Conference and play the New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. A loss and Sporting KC will play in the Knockout Round game. A tie and our fate rests on Columbus' result vs. the Philadelphia Union.
Here are the MLS games that we'll be watching this weekend, including a few bonus national TV games:
1. Chicago Fire vs. Houston Dynamo | Friday, October 24, 7pm CT | NBCSN
Two teams that are out of the playoff race kick off a packed weekend of Major League Soccer. So why should Sporting KC fans tune in between innings of the Royals game tonight? The answer is simple: National TV ratings are importance to the growth of MLS.
2. Seattle Sounders vs. LA Galaxy | Saturday, October 25, 1:30pm CT | NBC
The MLS schedule makers could not have planned this any better. The Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy are tied atop the Supporters' Shield standings with one game left. That game happens to pit the two sides in what should be an epic match at CenturyLink Field.
3. Columbus Crew vs. Philadelphia Union | Sunday, 3pm CT | UniMas
Outside of Sunday's match at Sporting Park, this is the most important match for Sporting KC fans. If the Philadelphia Union can earn a win or a draw, Sporting KC will only need to tie the Red Bulls to avoid the Knockout Round. That won't be an easy task for the Union, however, as the Crew have been one of the hottest teams in MLS under first-year head coach Gregg Berhalter.
