Following this week's MLS All-Star festivities, the playoff chase is back in earnest as Week 22 wraps with a tasty Sunday doubleheader on national TV in the United States.
Make sure to tune in to both Matchday Central shows on Sunday for all the reaction and analysis from the matches. In the meantime, here's what's on the line:
D.C. United vs. Philadelphia Union (7:30ET)
TV: FS1 in US; TSN1/3 in Canada
Audi Field will witness a key matchup in the battle for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, as both DC and Philly are chasing defending champions Atlanta United, who jumped to the top of the East with their win over LA.
Before this week, of course, it was the Union (2nd in East) and D.C. (4th in East) which have occupied first place for most of the 2019 season, though both are now looking for a spark to return to their best form.
Despite their respective dips in recent weeks, the two clubs are each a win away from catching or overtaking Atlanta for first place in a proverbial "six-pointer" which will give the winners a firmer grip on their playoff destiny with the season's homestretch fast approaching.
Seattle Sounders vs. Sporting KC (10ET)
TV: FS1 in US; TSN1/3 in Canada
The capper to the Week 22 action takes place in Seattle with two teams heading in opposite directions in the Western Conference.
The Sounders are level on points with 2nd place San Jose and can eat into LAFC's 14-point margin atop the standings with a win. They lose a starter in Roman Torres, out 10 games due to a PED use violation, but the Sounders have lost just once this season at home in league play and face a Sporting side down on their luck.
Kansas City are eight points below the playoff line at present and are at legitimate risk of missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2010. Manager Peter Vermes has assembled a well-oiled machine over the years, but injuries, international duty, suspensions, and bad luck have led to their precarious position at present, and Roger Espinoza is out for this game after picking up a red card last week.
These teams seem to bring out the best (and worst) of each other at times over the years, so don't be surprised if this turn out to be a wild affair.
