Ranking this week’s MLS games from best to worst.
Week 17
1. Portland at Atlanta, 4:30 p.m. Sunday. This is going to be interesting because the Timbers' defense isn't easy to crack. Though Atlanta United leads the league in goals, it hasn't scored more than two goals against a team with 10 men since it beat Montreal 4-1 on April 28.
2. Dallas at New York Red Bulls, 6 p.m. Saturday. I wouldn't be surprised to see these two teams playing for the MLS Cup. I could also say that about Nos. 1 and 4 on the list this week.
3. Houston at Sporting KC, 8:30 p.m. Saturday. One team is a contender in the West. The other wants to be. I'll let you decide which is which.
4. Columbus at LAFC, 10:30 p.m. Saturday. This one will be fun, fun, fun. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy Gregg Berhalter? Have I asked myself why Bob Bradley didn't give the U.S. national team this much freedom?
5. Toronto at NYCFC, 5 p.m. Sunday. NYCFC has a coach, except it doesn't because he is still not there. This is a big game for Toronto, the equivalent of six points in its playoff chase.
6. Vancouver at Philadelphia, 5 p.m. Saturday. Vancouver should score quite a few goals in this one, which is as weird for me to type as it may be for you to read.
7. Montreal at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Jason Kreis was fired after the Lions were demolished by Montreal in their last league game. Any reason to think this will be any different, other than they are at home?
8. Minnesota at Colorado, 9 p.m. Saturday. Nope.
9. San Jose at Real Salt Lake, 10 p.m. Saturday. Really. Nope.
