There are so many possible permutations in the Western Conference that it’s easier to just say Oakland needs to win out to give itself the best possible chance of reaching the postseason. Hartford has won four of its last five matches and scored three goals or more in all of those wins. Oakland’s back line will need to play a really good game to keep Roots SC in the playoff picture.
El Paso needs a win badly. Any win will do to stop the downward slide after a 4-1 drubbing against Colorado Springs on Wednesday night. El Paso will wrap the regular season next week with a trip to the Rowdies, so a win against a beleaguered Orange County side is really the minimum needed.
Las Vegas is fighting to keep its season alive and Miami is close to improving its seed and maybe even getting a home playoff game in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. There’s plenty on the line for both teams and it really feels like anything can happen in this one. Las Vegas has kept two consecutive clean sheets at home and Miami is on an eight-game unbeaten streak.
LA had its match in Albuquerque called off after seven minutes played due to unplayable field conditions at Isotopes Park. Los Dos’ playoff odds have been creeping up in recent weeks, and a victory over Atlanta would see them jump up again before a repeat visit to New Mexico.
Other than momentum, San Diego has nothing to play for in this match having already been locked into the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. New Mexico, other the other hand, should have plenty to play for, possibly even clinching a playoff berth with a win, depending on what happens around the league Saturday night.
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