5 Key Battles for MLS Matches from September 26-28
Before we can get all googly-eyed about Sunday's clash between New York and LA, and the juicy attacking battles that match presents, we have to take a look across the rest of the league for key battles to watch.
Starting with Friday's Eastern Conference showdown at Sporting Park, Week 29 possesses the potential to produce plenty of star-studded clashes.
And of course, some of these battles are picked from games that contain massive playoff implications with five weeks left to fight it out for the eight remaining spots in the MLS Cup playoffs. Seattle and LA have already punched their tickets to the postseason.
Continue reading on for a look at the five key battles you should watch this weekend in MLS.
Lee Nguyen vs. Matt Besler
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Second place in the Eastern Conference will be on the line Friday night, as Sporting Kansas City welcomes New England to Sporting Park.
Once seen as the class of the East this season, Sporting are now in trouble of falling behind the Revolution in the standings with a loss at home.
The only positive result for Peter Vermes' side in the last five games was a 4-0 victory over Chivas USA, which isn't saying much.
One of the problems for the defending MLS Cup champion has been the play of the defense, especially Matt Besler.
Besler has looked shaky at best since returning from Brazil, and he will be presented with the task of shutting down Lee Nguyen at Sporting Park.
Nguyen scored twice in the last meeting between the two sides on September 3 at Gillette Stadium.
The key to shutting down New England is removing Nguyen's threat from the attack, and if Besler can do that, Sporting should be able to open up a six-point gap on the Revs.
Diego Valeri vs. Michael Bradley
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There are plenty of wild cards heading into the match at BMO Field between Toronto FC and Portland, especially in the back four of both sides.
One certainty Saturday will be the presence of Diego Valeri and Michael Bradley in the midfield, which should produce an enticing battle for 90 minutes.
Valeri carved apart the Vancouver defense last week in his side's 3-0 win, while Bradley's Reds ended their slump against Chivas USA.
Both teams have plenty to play for in the final five weeks of the season, as Portland sits in fifth in the Western Conference. Toronto is three points below Columbus for the final spot in the East.
If Bradley can thwart the playmaking abilities of Valeri, the Timbers could leave Canada without any points.
But if the Argentinian can find some pockets of space when the United States international moves forward, we could see Valeri torch the unstable Toronto back four.
Luis Silva vs. Maurice Edu
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Two hours after the clash in Toronto, D.C. United and Philadelphia will square off in another match with a bevy of playoff implications attached to it.
While most of the attention given to the D.C. attack focuses on Fabian Espindola or Eddie Johnson, it has been Luis Silva who has produced for the Black and Red in recent weeks.
Silva has scored three of the last five United goals, and he will look to add to that total while burying the playoff hopes of the Union.
No matter where he starts, Maurice Edu will have a chance to shut down the attacking threat of Silva with his physical play.
If Ethan White is fully fit, Edu should remain in the defensive part of the midfield, but he could show up at center-back alongside Carlos Valdes.
If White, who left last week's game after 52 minutes because of an injury, can play, Edu will be tasked with clogging the middle of the park to weaken the influence of Silva on the game.
Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins vs. Chivas USA's Defense
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You may ask why this supposed one-sided matchup is even included in this week's list.
Good thing you asked because there are plenty of reasons to keep an eye on this clash at CenturyLink Field.
The Sounders are in the middle of a two-game losing streak after winning the U.S. Open Cup, and if one more result does not go in their favor, the comparisons to last year's collapse will grow louder.
The two top scorers for Seattle are Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins, and they will be asked to restore order to the team with strong showings against one of the worst teams in the league.
Last time around against the Goats, Seattle scored four first-half goals before letting in two scores during the final 45 minutes.
For Seattle to brush off all the critics Saturday night, the attack must put together an impressive performance against a team they should dominate.
If not, prepare for every single comparison to 2013 that you can imagine.
LA's Attack vs. New York's Attack
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Sunday's match between the New York Red Bulls and LA Galaxy is appointment viewing for any fan of the beautiful game.
Five legitimate Most Valuable Player candidates and three legends of the game will square off at StubHub Center in a clash of MLS titans.
Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane are once again firing on all cylinders, but this year they have a new toy to play with named Gyasi Zardes, who has found his finishing touch in 2014 with 15 goals.
On the other side of the field, Thierry Henry will lead the line for New York alongside Golden Boot leader Bradley Wright-Phillips.
With an absurd amount of attacking quality on display, expect Sunday's match to produce electrifying moves forward from the first whistle.
The final result could easily come down to who produces more spectacular passes in the final third, which is something that all of the players mentioned above are capable of.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
