MLS Week 32 preview, TV schedule

All times p.m. ET.

New York Red Bulls vs. Columbus Crew: The Red Bulls would love to lock up the first spot in the East and have an easier match this weekend than rival NYFC, which sits second in the conference based on a tiebreaker. The Crew have little to play for but pride after being eliminated from playoff contention by a draw Thursday with the Chicago Fire. It seems unlikely they'll be able to snap the Red Bulls' 14-match unbeaten streak on short rest.

D.C. United vs. New York City FC: Battling the Red Bulls for first in the Eastern Conference, NYCFC travels to face a D.C. United team it already defeated at RFK Stadium back in May. Much has changed for United since then, however, with midseason additions Patrick Mullins and Lloyd Sam sparking D.C. to a 5-1-4 stretch — including three straight wins. Frank Lampard is still dealing with a calf injury for the visitors, but Steve Birnbaum should be good to go for United after suffering a head wound on U.S. national team duty Friday.

Montreal Impact vs. Toronto FC: Sebastian Giovinco is poised to return from the quad and adductor strains that have kept him sidelined since late August, and that's much-needed news for a TFC team that just endured an 0-3-1 home stand. This Canadian derby will have a major impact on the Eastern Conference playoff picture, with Toronto two points back of a top-two finish (and the bye that comes with it). Fourth-place Montreal, meanwhile, will want to clinch a playoff spot and potentially lock up home-field advantage in the knockout round as well.

Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution: The Fire get a second chance in four days to play spoiler after Thursday's draw with Columbus knocked the Crew out of the postseason. The Revs need a win and some help to get into the playoffs, but may take heart from the Fire's spell of six contests without a victory. The Revs have won four and lost two in that timeframe, with Kei Kamara scoring and dishing an assist in a 3-1 win against Sporting Kansas City last time out.

Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City: There are two of the coldest teams in MLS, with Philadelphia enduring an 0-3-2 skid while Orlando has been eliminated from playoff contention thanks to an 0-4-1 stretch. Currently clinging to the final playoff spot, the Union could potentially clinch with a win and also will want to pass D.C. United and Montreal in the race for home-field advantage in the knockout round. Philadelphia enters this match banged up, with Tranquillo Barnetta (knee), Joshua Yaro (concussion) and Alejandro Bedoya (ribs) dealing with injuries.

Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting Kansas City: Sporting KC enters this match enjoying a two-point cushion for the sixth and final Western Conference playoff spot, and a win over fifth-place RSL could see the visitors jump into position to host a knockout round match. Neither team enters this match in good form, with Kansas City having won just two games since the end of July and Salt Lake mired in an 0-3-1 skid. Benched for Sporting KC's past two matches, Matt Besler will look to return to the lineup after a strong outing in the U.S. national team's draw with New Zealand on Tuesday.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps: The Quakes couldn't stay in the playoff hunt, losing Thursday's game to the Colorado Rapids and setting up a dead rubber with the Whitecaps with both teams out in the Western Conference. San Jose has been solid, though not remarkable, at home in Avaya Stadium, but with several players banged up and a three-day turnaround, the Canadian side may be better situated for a result.

FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders couldn't take full advantage of their game in hand on the Timbers on Wednesday, only drawing Houston. But they own a four-point lead on Portland with just a pair of games to play for each team. A win for Seattle here, or a loss for the Timbers against the Rapids, will lock up a playoff spot for the Sounders. Dallas, meanwhile, looked to be the favorite for the Supporters' Shield a few weeks ago, but a charge by the Rapids means that battle will likely go down to the last day of the season. Seattle will likely welcome back Joevin Jones from international duty and Brad Evans back from suspension though Ozzie Alonso will miss out because of a red card in the midweek match. Dallas will be without Maynor Figueroa because of a yellow-card suspension.

Portland Timbers vs. Colorado Rapids: The pressure is on for both teams with the Colorado Rapids knowing they need to avoid dropping a point to fall off the top of the Supporters' Shield heap and the defending champion Timbers currently on the outside looking in on the playoff picture. Kevin Doyle's double for the Rapids on Thursday seem to indicate he's ready to help the Rapids lift the prize after coping with an ankle injury. The Timbers expect to be able to call on Jake Gleeson, Diego Valeri and Darren Mattocks after all suffered recent injuries.

Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy:  The Galaxy are battling for position, having locked up a playoff spot. A home playoff game is not assured, however, and they'll have to visit the Dynamo in order make sure they maintain their position as the No. 3 team in the Western Conference. Houston, which is already eliminated from playoff contention, had been playing better, but lost two in a row before managing a draw with Seattle on Wednesday.  The Galaxy are likely to be without Steven Gerrard, who turned up in England midweek and will definitely be missing Jelle van Damme because of suspension.