How to watch MLS in Week 27, TV and streaming listings

Three Big Storylines:

1. Reigning MLS Cup champions Toronto FC host LAFC in what looks like a nondescript late season cross-conference matchup between an expansion team having a successful year heading to the playoffs and the champions, who are six points below the red line with eight games to play. But this match is much more than that for one family — it’s the first time LAFC manager Bob Bradley will coach against TFC captain Michael Bradley. Both Bob and Michael are admitted soccer junkies who watch every game the other has been involved in for decades. So it will be interesting to watch how LAFC line up to defend against TFC’s captain.
2. With summer winding down it’s time to take a look at how the playoff teams stand. In the Western Conference FC Dallas leads the way with 46 points from 26 played for 1.77 PPG, but Sporting Kansas City sit just one point back with one less game played for a conference leading 1.8 PPG. Those two teams plus LAFC look to be locked into playoff spots, with five teams vying for three playoff spots below them. Real Salt Lake is on 41 points while the Portland Timbers are on 40, and the Seattle Sounders with 38 round out the teams above the red line. The Timbers and Sounders have played two less games than RSL. Just below the red line are the LA Galaxy on 38 from 27 played and the Vancouver Whitecaps on 37 from 26 played; both teams will be looking to make a move up the table. It’s probably time to start planning for 2019 for Minnesota United, the Houston Dynamo, Colorado Rapids and the extremely bad San Jose Earthquakes, who prop up the table with only 20 points from 26 played for a paltry 0.77 PPG.
3. The Eastern Conference sees three tiers of teams. The Supporters’ Shield contenders are New York Red Bulls, Atlanta United and New York City FC. The middle ground and virtual locks to make the playoffs are the Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union. While the Montreal Impact currently occupy the last playoff spot they have competition in Toronto FC, the New England Revolution and a late-charging D.C. United who have taken a new stadium with a home game-heavy second half of the schedule and added one Wayne Rooney in an attempt to make a late run at the playoffs.

From a Sounders Point of View:

The biggest game for the Sounders is obviously their match against Sporting KC to open the MLS weekend slate. Other than that, we are cheering for the father in the Bradley versus Bradley matchup. We are big fans of the New England Revolution as they host the Portland Timbers, and a draw would probably be ideal in the RSL hosting LA Galaxy match, but a win for Zlatan and company would be fine as well. If the Houston Dynamo could get any sort of result in the Texas rivalry against FC Dallas, that would be an added bonus.

National TV Listings:

Seattle Sounders v Sporting Kansas City (this is not the gamethread you are looking for)

Date/Time: Saturday, 1:00 p.m.

TV: UniMas

Steaming: Univision Deportes and Twitter Live Steam of the Week

DC United v Atlanta United

Date/Time: Sunday, 4:30 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports 1

Streaming: Fox Sports Go

This is your Sounder at Heart MLS Weekend Week 27 open gamethread. Watch with us.