The final month of the MLS calendar begins this weekend, and teams will be battling for postseason positions in search of the league championship.
With points at a premium both for qualification and seeding heading into the MLS Cup playoffs, we look at important matches around the league this weekend.
HOUSTON DYNAMO / NEW YORK CITY FC – BBVA COMPASS STADIUM – FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 30TH
Although currently at the bottom of the Western Conference and the playoffs out of reach, the Houston Dynamo and interim manager Wade Barrett have shown that they will not be backing down from competition.
A hat trick from young striker Mauro Manotas powered Houston to a 3-1 victory over the defending MLS champion Portland Timbers last week, and the Dynamo will be looking for more of the same on Friday night.
NYCFC and manager Patrick Vieira will be counting on David Villa and Andrea Pirlo to keep their squad in top form ahead of their first-ever trip to the MLS playoffs.
NEW YORK RED BULLS / PHILADELPHIA UNION – RED BULL ARENA – SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST
The 2015 MLS Supporters’ Shield champion New York Red Bulls have been riding a 13-match unbeaten streak and 17 across all competitions, their best in team history.
A physical and tough 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact last Saturday saw New York clinch their seventh consecutive trip to the postseason playoffs.
English striker Bradley Wright-Phillips leads the league with 20 goals and manager Jesse Marsch’s high-press system has helped to keep the club’s unbeaten run alive.
Coming off a 1-1 draw at Toronto FC last weekend, Philadelphia will be looking for three points to improve upon their fourth-place position in the Eastern Conference.
TORONTO FC / D.C. UNITED – BMO FIELD – SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST
Eastern Conference leaders Toronto FC have been near the top of the standings almost all year and have coped well with a recent injury to Italian star Sebastian Giovinco.
US national team forward Jozy Altidore has stepped up his game tremendously, now with eight goals on the season.
D.C. United and manager Ben Olsen currently hold a four-point lead over the New England Revolution for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. A strong performance on the road will be needed to stay in contention.
FC DALLAS / LOS ANGELES GALAXY – TOYOTA STADIUM – SATURDAY OCTOBER 1ST
Leading the overall MLS table and the Supporters’ Shield standings, FC Dallas and manager Oscar Pareja will look to keep capturing silverware in 2016.
After defeating New England in the US Open Cup final earlier this month, Dallas aims for the first domestic treble in MLS history with the addition of the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup.
A victory over the LA Galaxy, with Giovani dos Santos and Robbie Keane in their attack, will be an important step towards that unprecedented achievement.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC / SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC – BC PLACE – SUNDAY OCTOBER 2ND
A Cascadia clash concludes the MLS weekend, as the Seattle Sounders head north to face the Vancouver Whitecaps looking for another win in their run towards the postseason.
Currently sitting on the cusp of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Seattle’s playoff hopes received a significant boost from a 4-2 victory at the LA Galaxy last Sunday and a 1-0 home win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
With forward Clint Dempsey ruled out for the remainder of the season, interim manager Brian Schmetzer will expect Jordan Morris and Nicolas Lodeiro to keep scoring numbers up against a bitter rival.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 2ND
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION / SPORTING KANSAS CITY
COLUMBUS CREW SC / CHICAGO FIRE
COLORADO RAPIDS / PORTLAND TIMBERS
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES / REAL SALT LAKE
SUNDAY OCTOBER 3RD
ORLANDO CITY SC / MONTREAL IMPACT
