For the final time in 2017, the MLS regular season takes place during an international window. As such, it’s a rather light week with just six clubs in action on Saturday. But the primary focus of American soccer fans’ attention will be on the USMNT who have two gigantic World Cup Qualifiers this week.

The first of those matches takes place in Orlando, FL on Friday night as the Stars and Stripes face Panama. Los Canaleros are currently in the third and final automatic qualification spot in CONCACAF, but just a point a ahead of the US. It underscores that the US does indeed control its destiny and must #Get3 at home if they are to wrap up a spot in Russia.

Four days later, the finale of the CONCACAF Hexagonal round for the US takes place in the Caribbean as Trinidad and Tobago awaits. Assuming the Soca Warriors lose at Mexico on Friday, they’ll be officially eliminated when they face the US. But that doesn’t mean they can’t play spoiler in trying to condemn the Yanks to the intercontinental playoff or worse.

All three MLS games this weekend carry playoff implications. The New York Red Bulls can wrap up the final postseason spot in the East with a win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. FC Dallas can move above the red line with a win on the road against the Colorado Rapids. And Sporting KC has a chance to narrow the Whitecaps’ lead atop the Western Conference if they can get a road win against Minnesota United.

John went .500 in week 30 which was good enough to take the weekly title, his 11th of the year. He also bolstered his lead in the overall standings to six points over second placed Daniel. With only six games on tap this week, making up ground in the standings will be tough. Is John’s lead big enough to keep him ahead for the remaining two weeks of the MLS regular season? We shall certainly find out.

Last Word SC MLS Pick ‘Em: Week 31

EXPERT	USA v. PAN	RBNY v. VAN	MIN v. SKC	COL v. DAL	CAN v. SLV	TTO v. USA	RECORD	PCT
John Bava (11) @LWOSJohnBava			DRAW	DRAW			167-193	46.4%
Daniel Sperry (7) @SperryDaniel94							161-199	44.7%
Matt Pollard (7) @LWOSMattPollard			DRAW	DRAW			156-204	43.3%
Robert Kerr (7) @LWOSR2Kerr2		DRAW				DRAW	154-206	42.8%