Week 29 in MLS is set to be a memorable one. The recent poor form of the Kansas City Wizards along with the recent 5 match winning streak of the Los Angeles Galaxy have resulted in 4 clubs vying for the last 2 open playoff spots. Normally the last week of the regular season is marked by games with little more riding on them than a friendly match. Instead, between the matches with direct playoff spots up for grabs and the matches with home field advantage and conference championships riding on them week 29  is filled with key games.

It all gets started early on when New York visits Los Angeles on Thursday. A Los Angeles victory or draw will keep their season alive until the weekend. The Galaxy’s last match of the season on Sunday has the makings of an early playoff match as it could be a winner take all final away to the Chicago Fire. The Colorado Rapids came up with a dramatic last second win against Chivas USA. The manner in which they won the match combined with the fact that Chivas had not lost a single match at home this season gives the impression that they might be a team of destiny this season. However, unless they hold serve at home against Real Salt Lake and get some help from other results, their effort will have been for naught.

As for the aforementioned Kansas City Wizards, they will be on the road to FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park. The formula will be simple for Curt Onalfo’s squad. Despite winning just once in their last 8 matches, a win or a draw will suffice for them to clinch at least the 8^th position. Rounding out the key matches is the game between Chivas USA and the Houston Dynamo at the Home Depot Center. A win or a draw will give Chivas the Western Conference title while the defending champions must win on the road to secure the title. All in all the big matches will abound in the season’s last round.

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