MLS Week 27 Preview: Atlantic Cup coming to a close
Week 27 of the 2016 MLS season sees a full return of fixtures after an international break, with plenty of national-team players returning to their clubs once again.
Here are three matchups worth watching in Week 27:
Atlantic Cup concludes
On Sunday, the New York Red Bulls host D.C. United in the final match of the Atlantic Cup, an in-league rivalry competition played in three legs over the course of the regular season.
D.C. United holds the edge going into this match, having defeated the Red Bulls 2-0 on May 13, before the two teams played to a 2-2 draw a few weeks ago.
The Red Bulls need to win by at least three goals to claim the 2016 title. Last year, the Red Bulls took the Atlantic Cup in comprehensive fashion, defeating D.C. by an aggregate score of 7-2 over three legs, then ousting D.C. from the playoffs immediately afterward.
As a result, Ben Olsen's side will be looking for some revenge, but also for a crucial three points to help secure a berth in the 2016 postseason, too.
No Giovinco, no problems?
It's good news, bad news for Toronto FC on a few fronts this weekend. Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley return from international duty, alongside Tosaint Ricketts and new signing Armando Cooper out of Panama, which will provide a welcome boost to the Reds' late-season cause.
Unfortunately, Sebastian Giovinco won't be available for a weekend tilt against the Chicago Fire as he deals with a couple injuries.
The Chicago Fire could provide the Reds with an easy chance at three points, since the club sits second-to-bottom in the Eastern Conference. However, Chicago brushed aside the Philadelphia Union 3-0 last week, drew the LA Galaxy 2-2 the week before, and crushed the Montreal Impact 3-0 the week prior to that.
Smells like a recipe for disaster - can Chicago triumph once more?
Stars clash coast to coast
The MLS schedule is weighted such that teams from opposite conferences meet but once a year. So, after a long wait, a star-studded East Coast vs. West Coast matchup is finally on the table.
Kaka takes on Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Giovani Dos Santos, and Robbie Keane when the LA Galaxy host Orlando City on Sunday for the only time this season (or, perhaps, ever).
The LA Galaxy, for all its might, will need to take this one and only shot and turn around the lopsided precedent set when the Lions laughed their way to a 4-0 win last season over Bruce Arena's side.
The combination of Kaka and Cyle Larin proved lethal on the day, and the Galaxy will need to be aware of these two dynamic attackers at StubHub Center this time around.