The i’s are being dotted and the t’s crossed, as MLS heads into the final two matchdays of the season.
With a few playoff spots still up for grabs and seeding to be finalized, there is still plenty to play for.
Let’s dig into the biggest stories of the weekend ahead.
Fixture of the weekend
Third and Fourth in the Eastern Conference clash in Cincinnati this weekend as Orlando City get another test of their credentials after a narrow loss to Columbus in recent weeks.
Óscar Pareja’s side have been red-hot as of late, failing to win just three of their last 12 games in MLS, racing up into the top-four of the conference. But Facundo Torres and his mates will face one of the toughest tests in that run at TQL Stadium on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati are winless in three including losses to NYCFC and LAFC, and will be keen to get back to winning ways before heading into the postseason.
Pat Noonan’s men seem to always find a way to compete in the big games, and a visit from arguably the most in-form team in the league is a solid test before playoff time.
Player to watch
Paul Rothrock has simply been a phenomenon for the Sounders this season. The Seattle native is living out every young footballer’s dream, playing a key role in the first team of his local club.
The forward has seemingly emerged overnight as a reliable playmaker for Brian Schmetzer’s side, chipping in with seven goal contributions in 23 games so far this season.
“He was able to take that opportunity and do good things with it,” Brian Schmetzer said of Rothrock. “I can’t give you a specific time as to when I penciled him in as an everyday starter, I’m not so sure I’m going to do it even now, but he’s certainly forcing my hand. I don’t think it would be wise of me to not start him.”
The Sounders have climbed up the standings in the Western Conference, and once Seattle are in the postseason they are always a threat.
Three questions ahead of the weekend
Are the real LAFC back after consecutive wins?
LAFC had been ice-cold after suffering a heartbreaking loss in the Leagues Cup final to the Columbus Crew, but with wins in two straight MLS games after securing silverware in the US Open Cup, they may have just rediscovered their form — and that is bad news for the rest of the Western Conference.
With a rematch of that Open Cup final…