MLS Decision Day preview: Which matches you should keep track of in the Playoffs race
By Chris Smith
Decision Day is upon us at last and we're about to find out who will confirm their spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
10 teams have already made it to the post-season ahead of Sunday's matches, leaving room for two more in each conference.
There's also plenty of jostling for positions to try and secure a home match in the Playoffs, so even teams with their post-season spot secured have something to play for.
With so many games going on at once on Sunday, it might be tough to keep up. So, read on to find out which games you should be keeping an eye on, whether by watching live or having those trusty FotMob notifications turned on:
Which MLS games should you watch on Decision Day?
1. Orlando City vs Columbus Crew
The biggest game in the East by a distance is the straight shootout between Orlando City and the Columbus Crew.
It's win and in for Orlando, who are currently eighth on 45 points following their damaging 4-1 loss to Florida rivals Inter Miami on Wednesday.
The Crew, meanwhile, just about hung on to seventh spot after surrendering a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Charlotte FC. Caleb Porter's team are just a single point ahead of Orlando.
2. DC United vs FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati's 11-game unbeaten run came to an end last week as they fell 3-2 at home to the Chicago Fire, right when they could have sealed their MLS Cup Playoffs debut on home soil.
Now, the Orange and Blue head to bottom-of-the-East DC United knowing a point will do with Columbus and Orlando playing each other just below them.
They face a DC United side enduring a three-game losing streak with just one win in their last 12.
3. Inter Miami vs CF Montreal, New York Red Bulls vs Charlotte FC, Philadelphia Union vs Toronto FC
Staying in the East for a moment, it's definitely worth turning your notifications on for these three matches.
Inter Miami sealed their post-season spot on Wednesday, but can still climb above the New York Red Bulls to secure a home match in the first round by beating CF Montreal, coupled with RBNY failing to beat Charlotte FC.
What's more, Montreal are still looking to overhaul the Philadelphia Union to finish top of the East. A win against Miami is required, alongside the Union failing to beat Toronto FC.
4. Real Salt Lake vs Portland Timbers
Over to the Western Conference, where the stakes are arguably even higher.
Eighth-place Real Salt Lake host the Portland Timbers, who are sixth but just two points ahead.
A draw will do for the Timbers, while RSL know they must win to stand a chance of jumping above the line.
But wait, it gets even more complicated...
5. Minnesota United vs Vancouver Whitecaps
At the same time, seventh-place Minnesota United host the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are ninth and still in with a chance of making the Playoffs.
Minnesota are only a single point ahead of RSL and enduring a run of just one point from their last six MLS matches. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps are enjoying a three-match winning streak that has brought them to within two points of their hosts.
There's even a scenario where both Vancouver and RSL win, throwing the Timbers and Minnesota out of the Playoffs.
6. Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy & LAFC vs Nashville SC
Finally, switch your notifications on to find out who secures that final home match in the first round of the Playoffs.
The LA Galaxy head to the Houston Dynamo in fourth place, level on points with fifth-place Nashville SC, who face LAFC away.
A win will do it for the Galaxy but should they fail, Nashville can jump ahead by bettering their result against the Supporters' Shield winners.
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