Saturday 24 October 2015 23:27, UK
It is the last day of the MLS regular season and for the first time ever, all clubs from the Eastern Conference and Western Conference will kick off at the same times of 9.05pm (East) and 11.15pm (West) UK time.
So with seedings and play-off spots still up for grabs, we break down the permutations for each club…
Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls: Will New York Red Bulls secure the Supporters' Shield?
Chicago Fire have been out of contention since September 26, meaning the theme for this huge game is whether New York Red Bulls can win the Supporters' Shield. They would do so with a win against Chicago and Western Conference leaders FC Dallas losing or drawing.
Alternatively, the Red Bulls will clinch it if Dallas win as well but fail to make up the six-goal difference. A draw, and FC Dallas would have to lose or draw. Alternatively, the Red Bulls can lose if the Texan club also suffer a loss - and by a margin of defeat not six goals or more greater than FC Dallas.
The mentality for the Red Bulls players will be to win against Chicago and not be too concerned about the other potential permutations. But in MLS history, the Red Bulls have never won a match at Toyota Park (opened in 2006) - their last win coming in the Windy City was in 2005 at Soldier Field.
However, Chicago have lost six of their last seven matches and New York Red Bulls have won three of their last four, making it hard to bet against the Eastern Conference leaders with so much at stake. Should New York Red Bulls do it, it would be their second Supporters' Shield win in three seasons.
Columbus Crew v DC United: Will suspensions be costly for Columbus?
An impressive 2-0 away win at Toronto FC on Sunday clinched Columbus' place in the play-offs, but now they have the opportunity to clinch one of the top two automatic spots should they beat DC United. The Black-and-Red will be in contention for an automatic place in the Eastern Conference semi-finals should they beat the Crew.
Columbus' star striker Kei Kamara will be suspended for Decision Day, meaning he will not be able to secure the Golden Boot. Their star playmaker Federico Higuaín will also serve a yellow-card suspension, so while Columbus re-shuffle their starting XI, DC United are likely to start the same team they have fielded for their last two matches which both resulted in 2-1 and 4-0 wins.
Both teams have already met twice this season, resulting in wins for each side. Splitting the two teams in their third match-up could prove a difficult challenge, but Columbus' defensive frailties of late may mean a great test on Sunday.
Montreal Impact v Toronto FC: In a seedings battle, Didier Drogba faces Sebastian Giovinco
Montreal could finish as high as third in the Eastern Conference standings, meaning they would host the knockout round game in Quebec. But to do that, Didier Drogba and Co will face off against their fiercest rivals Toronto FC.
Toronto can clinch an automatic spot with a win against the Impact and hope for at most a draw between DC United and Columbus. Essentially, both Canadian teams have qualified, but both are battling it out for seedings with the possibility of either team dropping into the unfavourable sixth-place spot. That would mean being the away team in the one game knockout round.
This game is the battle of arguably two of the league's best strikers. Sebastian Giovinco faces off against a much larger man in Didier Drogba and it could be a game based on which team's centre-backs have a better evening. Toronto lost their last match after a four-game winning streak while Montreal have won their last two; momentum may be what counts most.
Watch on Sky Sports 2 HD Red Button on Sunday from 9.05pm
FC Dallas v San Jose Earthquakes: Can San Jose grab the last Western Conference spot?
FC Dallas realistically need to win and close a six-goal margin to win the Supporters' Shield, a feat that looks unlikely to achieve. Nevertheless, securing first place in the highly competitive Western Conference means a bye into the Conference semi-finals and playing the second leg at home.
There is more at stake for San Jose Earthquakes, whose play-off hopes are out of their hands. The Earthquakes have to beat FC Dallas and hope either for a Portland loss, a Seattle loss or draw, a Sporting Kansas City loss or draw, or a draw v FC Dallas if Sporting Kansas City loses to LA Galaxy.
FC Dallas are undefeated in the last three meetings between the two sides, and have not conceded a goal in their last three matches. San Jose will have to find a way of breaking down a resolute defence. Chris Wondolowski is prone to scoring critical goals for San Jose - his experience may be counted on for another big performance as the Northern Californian club's season hangs in the balance.
Watch on Sky Sports 2 HD Red Button on Sunday from 11.15pm
Sporting Kansas City v LA Galaxy: Last chance for Sporting KC against the formidable LA Galaxy
Sporting Kansas City have missed a golden opportunity to automatically qualify for the play-offs after a 2-0 loss at home to the team sitting bottom of the West, Colorado Rapids, but could still secure play-offs by beating LA Galaxy on Sunday. A draw would get them play-offs if Seattle or San Jose loses. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy can clinch an automatic berth for the semi-finals with a win in Kansas.
Despite Robbie Keane scoring twice against Portland on Sunday night, the Galaxy fell to a 5-2 loss. Los Angeles have never won at Sporting Park in three attempts, but the defending champions strongly believe they can get the result they need.
"We play Sunday in Kansas City and try to win the game," said head coach Bruce Arena after the defeat to Portland.
Keane added: "It's going to be a tough game, but it's in our hands. We still have a chance to go in there and get three points, and still claim that second spot. The good thing about football is that there is always another game."
Not necessarily for Sporting Kansas City in 2015, should they lose.
Other teams who can qualify: New England Revolution, Orlando City, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders
