What is MLS? MLS is short for Major League Soccer. MLS is an American/Canadian soccer (or football for the europeans) league formed in 1996 which currently hosts 19 teams.
Note: Large text means the team is competing for a spot at the supporters shield which is most points in the regular season. Normal bold means clinched playoff spot. Italicized means they are still competing for a playoff spot and have not cliched it yet.
What's happening this season:
Chivas USA to be removed - New LAFC team announced for 2017
Orlando City SC + NYCFC to join eastern conference / SKC + Dynamo to western
MLS logo officially remodeled
Why MLS?
You should follow MLS for many reasons:
1) You can follow many USMNT stars such as Clint Dempsey, Micheal Bradley, and Jozy Altidore
2) MLS is one of the fastest growing soccer leagues in the world right now. While it may not have the quality of EPL or La Liga, the league is growing better every year.
3) Cheap: If you happen to live in the USA or even Canada, there is likely a team close to you. I used to live very close to Portland, so the Portland Timbers were the team I followed. The tickets were cheap and the atmosphere was amazing when I went there as shown here.
Finally I have this to say, while some may hate it, I enjoy the parity in this league. With the EPL, it's usually just the same 3-4 teams in the top section season after season. With MLS, anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Some teams will look like the shield favorites to then go on a dry streak in a few months. The fact that there's 1 game left in the season and so many teams don't have an assured spot in the playoffs is amazing. While I can fully admit the quality isn't the top in the world, there's so many aspects of this league that make it fun to watch. If you're ever considering watching a new league or just like Soccer/Football in general, then check it out.
Dallas (H) vs San Jose (A): Although obviously i'm biased in thinking the Portland match is the one to watch, this is probably the biggest match this weekend i'd say. San Jose are barely out of the playoff picture by 1 point, a win is extremely important for them to keep their playoff hopes alive. Dallas, on the other hand need to win so that they can get the Supporters shield against NYRB since they are both tied at 57 points this season. Playoff spot vs Supporters shield, it's a crucial match for both teams which should make for a good match.
Vancouver (H) vs Houston (A): While every western conference game is crucial, this is probably the one that is slightly less so. Houston are out of the playoffs and Vancouver have a clinched playoff spot, so it's mainly Vancouver looking for higher seeding. Interestingly enough, they are tied with Portland for 50 points, so a win for Vancouver is an absolute must.
Now on to the western conference. With 6 playoff spots, the west is extremely close as usual. Only 3 of the playoff spots have been guaranteed whereas 5 of the 6 are already assured in the east. Let's begin:
Kansas City (H) vs LA (A): Big big match. With Kansas losing on wednesday at home to Colorado, the worst team in the west, Kansas very much needs to win at home vs LA. While LA have a playoff spot, they very much need a win to assure they seed high so they don't have to play elimination games. LA recently was badly defeated at home 5-2 vs Portland on Sunday, so with both teams suffering a loss from the last game, they both have something to prove.
Portland (H) vs Colorado (A): Huge match for Portland. I'm a Portland native so obviously it's my team and i've been watching all season. The interesting thing is a win can bring Portland as high as second in the west and a loss could actually put Portland in seventh and out of the playoffs completely. With the last place Colorado beating KC on Wednesday, Portland will hope that the momentum of that win will not go against them.
Seattle (H) vs Salt Lake (A): Big match for Seattle as well. The same scenario for Seattle as Portland almost. A win could put them as high as third and a loss can put them as low as seventh being eliminated from the playoffs. Must win for Seattle, Salt Lake is just playing for pride at this point just like Colorado.
Many months later and we return with a few days until the last 2015 season games are played! They all are on sunday, here's how the eastern conference games are looking:
Columbus (H) vs DC United (A): Big game for both of them. While DC and Columbus have clinched a playoff spot, being a lower seed means having to play a knockout round which neither team wants. Being 1 point apart and having a few other teams close means this is a must win for both.
Philly (H) vs Orlando (A): Philly have pretty much been an embarrassment this season just like last season. They don't have much to lose, but Orlando must win this. With 1 playoff spot left in the east between New England and Orlando, it's do or die. Should Orlando win and the Revs lose, there's still a lot more to happen. Orlando must overcome a -9 Goal difference compared to the Rev's -1 goal difference while being away from home.
Montreal (H) vs Toronto (A): Seeing a pattern? Very important match for both teams. Toronto sits at 49 and Montreal sits at 48, a win is a must for both teams. Fun fact, this is the first time all 3 Canadian teams have entered the playoffs in a single season. Even more fun fact: since joining the league in 2007, this will be Toronto's first ever playoff appearance since they have an assured playoff spot.
NYCFC (H) vs New England (A): While Orlando needs to overcome a massive obstacle to beat New England, this isn't as crucial of a match as the others. With NYCFC out of the picture, it's really up to New England to win or draw or to not lose by a large margin.
Chicago (H) vs NYRB (A): Big game for NYRB. Worst in the east vs best in the east. New York have not won in Chicago in years. Chicago really has nothing going for them at this point. It's really up to New York to win this to get the supporters shield or Dallas might take it.
