The Portland Timbers were founded in 2009 and had to wait until 2013 to make the playoffs for the first time. However, they followed that initial appearance with winning the MLS Cup just two years after. There were understandably raised expectations after that 2015 win and they just couldn’t meet those expectations. This forced Caleb Porter to resign at the end of last season and his replacement has taken them to the playoffs yet again and they would be looking to get to the finals here. Their end of season run of strong form was the major catalyst in reaching this stage and having seen off FC Dallas and Seattle Saunders to reach here, they would want to make it count. Sporting KC are one of the oldest teams in the MLS at the moment. They have won the MLS Cup on two occasions and have also won the Supporters’ Shield on numerous occasions. They ended their season in terrific form and they would be looking to take that good run of form into this game as they bid to win their 3rd MLS Cup. Portland Timbers have won five of their last six in all competitions, Sporting Kansas City meanwhile are unbeaten in their last seven, and the last game between these two finished goalless at Providence Park.

Atlanta United are looking to get their hands on their first piece of silverware this season, just two years after they became an MLS franchise. They reached the playoffs last season before being beaten by Columbus Crew. They have returned even better this season and they reached this stage by eliminating the New York City FC in the last round, their fans would be hoping they can beat yet another team from New York here again. This Atlanta United team is incredibly talented with the likes of Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez starring for them. They beat NYCFC 4-1 on  aggregate in the last round and they would be eager to make their home advantage count in this game. New York Red Bulls have been one of the MLS’ most successful teams in recent seasons, yet they haven’t gotten their hands on the MLS Cup yet. They have topped the standings in the Eastern Conference on at least 6 occasions, and they have also won some MLS Supporter’s Shield including in this campaign, so their fans would be eager to end their wait for the MLS Cup this year. The visitors have won 6 of their last 8 games including a 2-0 win over the host a couple weeks ago, so they would be confident that they can hold their own here, but that would be a tough ask.

These two teams suffered losses on the final day of the MLS season, however, they had already secured a playoff space and those losses meant nothing in the end. They square up against each other in the Playoff game and LAFC fans would be hoping that the 8 points gap between their team and Real Salt Lake would see them get the upper hand in this clash. LAFC battled Sporting KC for the top of the Western Conference clash in their final game of the season. They went a goal down after Sporting had taken the lead, but Carlos Vela brought them level from the penalty spot. The host had a man sent off and we expected LAFC to take advantage of having more players on the pitch, however, the host still went on to score a winner. LAFC were by far the better side in that game and their fans would be hoping that they would take more of the chances they would create in this game. Portland Timbers beat Real Salt Lake 3-0 on the final day of the season. Despite having the likes of Kreilach and Rusnak on their team, Salt Lake still fell to that embarrassing defeat and that has surely not boosted their confidence ahead of this game. LAFC have won both of their matches against Real Salt Lake and that will surely hand them a psychological edge heading into Friday’s Play-Off match.

FC Dallas led the Western Conference for much of the season, but a defeat in their final game of the season saw them finish 4th on the conference table to set up this home playoff clash with the Portland Timbers. Over the course of the season, just 3 points separated these sides and we expect the game to be a tight affair. Dallas good start to the season didn’t stand until the end of the campaign as they ended the season with three consecutive losses. The last of those losses came away at a Colorado Rapids side that finished second from bottom, and that would have affected their confidence ahead of this game. Dallas side can, however, draw inspiration from the fact that they led the Conference for much of the season, and on their day, they can beat just about anybody. Portland Timbers also come into this match on the back of a defeat on the final day of the season. They fell two goals down to the Vancouver Whitecaps and couldn’t recover again even though they managed to get a consolation goal in the final minutes. Their fans would be expecting them to do better in this game. These two clubs have locked horns twenty-four times over the years, and with 8 wins, 8 draws, and 8 defeats apiece there is nothing to separate the two clubs in the head to head record.

These two rivals go head to head as they look to determine who would finish the season as the top team in the Western Conference, so we expect a lot of fireworks on display in this game. Sporting KC are currently top of the Western Conference after securing a 3-0 win last weekend. LA FC on their part played out a 2-2 home draw against Vancouver Whitecaps, so they would be looking for all three points here so they can finish ahead of their rivals. With ten goals each in the league this season Russell and Salloi joint top score for Sporting KC, and the duo are going to need to remain fit and in form if Sporting KC are to progress and possibly win the playoffs. With thirteen goals in his debut season in the MLS Carlos Vela has lead from the front for LAFC, but teammates Diomande and Rossi are just a goal behind the Mexican and could still claim the crown of the clubs top scorer on Sunday. Both teams have only lost one of their last six matches, and have each drawn two of their last six in the MLS. LAFC haven’t failed to score in any of their last six matches, while Sporting KC have only failed to score in one of their last six and that’s why we’re expecting both teams to score on Sunday.

LA Galaxy have done well to keep their hopes of making the playoffs alive by beating Minnesota United in their last game. As they head into this final game of the season, they know that a draw would be more than enough to help them finish inside the top six, and a Houston Dynamo side who has nothing to play for should be the perfect opponent. They won their last game 3-1 thanks to a goal and an assist from Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede has rolled back the years to score a whopping 22 goals in the MLS this season, with the backing of his teammates, they look poised to challenge for the MLS title at the playoffs. Houston Dynamo has won this season’s US Open Cup and even though they are not in contention for a place in the playoffs, their fans would feel that this is a successful season. even with just one league position to play for Houston Dynamo gave Seattle Sounders a good game when the pair met in Texas last weekend. Marshall scored in the twenty-sixth minute to hand Seattle Sounders the lead at halftime, and four minutes after the restart Svensson added a second goal for the visitors. The comeback appeared to be on when Garcia halved the deficit for Houston Dynamo, but despite pushing forward in search of an equaliser it was Seattle than struck next through Ruidíaz to wrap up all three points. Manotas did manage to pull another goal back for the hosts in the eighty-ninth minute, but there wasn’t enough time left in the match for Houston to rescue a draw. These two sides have met thirty times before, and with 13 wins, 7 draws, and 10 defeats its LA Galaxy that lead the head to head record.

Real Salt Lake have no more chances of slipping up if they want to make the Playoffs. Heavy defeats for them last time out has given hopes to the likes of LA Galaxy that they can make it to the Western Conference Playoff, so they would be looking to get all three points at home in this game. Salt Lake may have been beaten 4-1 by the Portland Timbers in their last game, but the scoreline doesn’t tell the full story as Real played well and even ended the game with 55 percent possession. They would be looking to be able to score more with their possession this time around as they host New England. New England earned a deserved 2-0 win over the out of form Orlando City in their last league game. They started the game well but struggled to break down their stubborn visitors, however, two second-half goals were enough to help them secure another win. Their chances of making the Playoffs is very minimal, but they would do themselves a major favour by securing an unlikely win here while hoping that other results also go their way. These two clubs have met twenty-one times over the years, and with 9 wins, 6 draws, and 6 defeats its Real Salt Lake who lead the head to head record.