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Last Word SC MLS Pick ‘Em: Week 28

MLS is truly entering its stretch run as teams try to consolidate their postseason positioning. It begins with games in Atlanta and Vancouver on Wednesday.

Week 28 of the 2017 MLS season is shaping up to be an important one as the postseason approaches. This is especially true of the teams just above and below the red line. Those who are currently on the right side can consolidate their positioning in the standings with favorable results. Teams that have work to do can certainly improve their chances at upending those ahead of them if they can win.

Three teams are of particular note this week: Atlanta United FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the New England Revolution. All three have double game weeks beginning on Wednesday, with Atlanta and Vancouver at home both games. The Revs, on the other hand, are on the road for each of their games this week. It includes Wednesday’s tilt against the Five Stripes, the second of six straight games at their new digs.

Atlanta and Vancouver are back at it as the first two games on offer Saturday. First up is Orlando City SC traveling to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the last of three matchups with Atlanta (3:55 PM, Univision). Roughly an hour after that match ends, the ‘Caps welcome Columbus Crew SC to British Columbia as Tony Tchani and Kekuta Manneh face off against their former clubs. But there are plenty of other games with playoff implications.

FC Dallas, in the midst of an eight-game winless run, look to reverse that trend at home against the Seattle Sounders. The aforementioned Revs, four points out of a playoff spot and 0-10-3 on the road this year, may see their postseason hopes end unless they can figure out a way to win away from Gillette Stadium. Real Salt Lake and San Jose are just below the red line out west, but both are at home this week.

Daniel and Robert took home the Week 27 title after both went .500 with their picks. That was two better than John, which means his lead is now only five in the overall standings. The gap between first and last is just ten so everyone is still in it if they can get hot over the final few weeks of the season. But time is starting to become of the essence as this year’s MLS campaign is well and truly in its home stretch.