MLS Gamethread: Week 17

There will be fireworks at MLS stadiums across the country this weekend, and I'm not talking about all the goals! Wait, that doesn't seem right. "There will be explosions at MLS stadiums, and it won't just be from the nacho cheese!" No, that's not right either. "Fireworks, and not just for Independence Day!". Okay, that's as good as it is going to get. This will be the last weekend without USMNT participants for many teams. So root for New England to take out Salt Lake and for Chicago to do what it does best against Sporting KC: Portland. I mean Draw.

Friday

5:30PM Houston Dynamo-New York Red Bulls (NBCSN)

6:00PM FC Dallas-Philadelphia Union

6:30PM Colorado Rapids-Columbus Crew

7:00PM Real Salt Lake-New England Revolution

8:00PM LA Galaxy-Portland Timbers (NBCSN)

Saturday

4:00PM Toronto FC-DC United

7:30PM Chivas USA-Montreal Impact

Sunday

12:00PM Sporting KC-Chicago Fire (ESPN)

Game of the Week: Toronto FC-DC United

Toronto will continue to trot out a reserve keeper while Julio Cesar stays in Brazil to potentially keep the World Cup trophy in South America for an extended stay. DC United isn't particularly fit right now, dealing with injuries to key personnel. Winning this game on the road would keep DC in first place, while a Toronto victory could have them a point out of first with games in hand.

(Prediction: Draw)