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Last Word SC MLS Pick ‘Em: Week 32

Last Word SC MLS Pick 'Em: Week 32 - Find out which teams our writers' panel will prevail in the penultimate week of this year's campaign.

It’s certainly going to be tough to move on from Tuesday’s USMNT catastrophe in Trinidad that saw them miss out on qualifying for the 2018 World Cup. But that’s what American MLS fans have to do as the penultimate week of the regular season looms. 12 games are on tap, beginning Wednesday night with the Houston Dynamo hosting Sporting KC.

Those two renew pleasantries once more at Children’s Mercy Park this coming Sunday. Both games carry with them extensive playoff implications for both teams. SKC is not only in the running for a bye into the Western Conference semifinals. They still have a legitimate shot at finishing as the West’s best team. And Houston still need points to solidify their own postseason standing.

All 11 weekend fixtures take place on Sunday, with five occurring at 5 PM ET and the other six kicking off at 7:30 PM ET. Two of them are part of an FS1 doubleheader with the New York Red Bulls hosting Atlanta United followed by the Seattle Sounders taking on FC Dallas at home. With Dallas clinging to the final playoff spot in the West and facing a Seattle team who’s only lost once at CenturyLink Field, they’re in for a challenge.

All six playoff spots in the Eastern Conference are now set. And Toronto FC already clinched the Supporters’ Shield. But the remaining five clubs in the East can all improve their playoff positioning with favorable results both this weekend and on Decision Day. In the West, Vancouver are the only team to lock up a playoff berth thus far. San Jose and Real Salt Lake have the least room for error as they’re eliminated with a loss.

John and Matt both took home the week 31 title, going 4-2. Overall, John now has an eight point lead over Daniel and is starting to look good in terms of finishing first. But with two weeks and 23 games remaining, there’s still time for some semblance of unpredictability to make a surprise showing.