MLS Week 29 Preview: Heavyweights collide for coveted playoff spots

Week 29 of the 2016 MLS season has all 20 teams across the league competing for the 11 remaining playoff spots, and, with less than a handful of fixtures remaining, each point is incredibly valuable.

Here are three matchups worth watching in Week 29:

Playoff-bound TFC? You bet

One way or another, Toronto FC can expect to clinch a playoff spot by the end of Week 29.

Should the New England Revolution fail to defeat the Columbus Crew, or if Orlando City takes even one point out of D.C. United, or if the New York Red Bulls top the Montreal Impact, Toronto FC secures a spot regardless of its own result.

However, as Toronto kicks off Saturday's fixture list with a 5:00 p.m. ET match against the Philadelphia Union, a playoff spot could be earned at the Reds' own hands - though likely still without Sebastian Giovinco in the mix.

Clinching a spot in New York

This week, both the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC can clinch a spot in the postseason, provided a few results go the right way.

The Red Bulls' task is quite simple: Jesse Marsch's side will need to defeat the Montreal Impact at Red Bull Arena, and those three points will be enough to stake a playoff spot. An in-form Bradley Wright-Phillips takes on a well-out-of-form Didier Drogba in a match that could see Montreal drop to sixth in the Eastern Conference with a loss.

NYCFC needs New England to stumble to the Crew on Sunday, and that result, coupled with a win of its own over the Chicago Fire, will see Patrick Vieira's side into the postseason. If New England wins, an Orlando-D.C. draw or a Red Bulls win over Montreal would do the trick, too.

Galactic achievement

The LA Galaxy need a single win and three more points in the Western Conference to secure a playoff spot, and that's exactly what Bruce Arena's side will look for at the StubHub Center on Sunday as the Seattle Sounders come to visit.

These two franchises have commanded plenty of attention in recent years, but neither team will claim to have enjoyed perfect 2016 campaigns. The LA Galaxy have been ravaged by injuries, while the Sounders failed to replace Obafemi Martins until far too late into the season.

In acquiring Nicolas Lodeiro, and with Jordan Morris showing well in his rookie season, Seattle has returned to the playoff picture with just a few matches remaining. They, too, need a win to keep hope alive.

It sets up quite a collision over in the west - one that could end with the Galaxy clinching a spot.