Midweek MLS! Some bonus action after a light Week 33 sets up a jam-packed final two weekends of the regular season. Here's what Wednesday has in store:
D.C. United vs. Toronto FC
7:30 pm ET | Match Preview | TV & streaming info
On Saturday, D.C. finally did it: They're officially over the playoff line. No more talks of games in hand, form and projecting what might happen – they finally caught the Montreal Impact. But obviously, the job isn't done yet. They still have played one less game than Montreal (OK, one more day of talking about games in hand, but this is it), that they'll cash in on Wednesday.
Three points against TFC would push D.C. four points ahead of the Impact, lending the Black-and-Red the opportunity to clinch playoff qualification on Sunday against New York City FC (3 pm ET | TV & streaming info).
Toronto, languishing in ninth place after their historic 2017, have just pride and bracket-busting to play for in their final three games. To boot, their squad for Wednesday is decimated by injuries, international duty and suspensions.
The last time these two teams met, the score finished 4-4 (!) in the days before Wayne Rooney's arrival. A hint of what's to come Wednesday?
Orlando City SC vs. Seattle Sounders
7:30 pm ET | Match Preview | TV & streaming info
Over their last 13 games, the Sounders have won 11, rebounding nicely from a pair of back-to-back losses in mid-September after their nine-game winning streak was snapped. Orlando have a similar numerical streak going, though it's the inverse of Seattle's: In their last 13 games, they've won just once. And that lone victory was 13 games ago. It is their only win since May 6.
Seattle will be looking to pick up every point they can, as they're one behind the Portland Timbers in the hunt to host a Knockout Round playoff game. They have a game in hand on their rivals and have an outside chance of climbing into the top three should two of LAFC, Sporting Kansas City or FC Dallas have an abominable finish to the season. Orlando, of course, are playing for 2019 at this point.
Both teams will be without key players due to the October international break. The Sounders will miss team-leading goalscorer and assist-maker Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay), key summer signing Raul Ruidiaz (Peru) and midfielder Gustav Svensson (Sweden). Orlando will be without Yoshi Yotun (Peru) and Mohamed El-Munir (Libya).
But why focus on those who won't be on the field? Dom Dwyer is back for Orlando, looking to break the club's scoreless streak that spans their last five matches. It'll be no small task against the league's joint-stingiest defense, anchored by Chad Marshall. On the other end of the field, Will Bruin is likely to lead the lines after scoring in their win over his former club Houston Dynamo last time out.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Sporting Kansas City
10 pm ET | Match Preview | TV & streaming info
The Whitecaps aren't done yet, locked in a three-team battle for the Western Conference's final playoff place. Meanwhile, SKC are embroiled in their own three-way fight atop the Western Conference, for two first-round byes. Points are vital for both.
A win would see Vancouver level Real Salt Lake for sixth place, one point ahead of the LA Galaxy. A loss wouldn't mathematically eliminate them, though would be devastating to their chances with a trip to LAFC looming on the weekend. They'll be shorthanded, without whiz kid Alphonso Davies (Canada), captain Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) and team joint-assist leader Yordy Reyna (Peru).
Neither team is in the best of form, as SKC are winless in their last three games and the 'Caps have one win in their last four.
