Minnesota United

The business end of the MLS season is upon us, and with the MLS playoffs kicking off in just under a month, every game matters. Only six sides have officially been eliminated from playoff contention going into the international break and the race for the Supporter’s Shield is very much alive. Following Match Week 32, let’s break down what every team is playing for from here on out.

MLS Playoffs Picture Going into Matchweek 33

Eastern Conference

1. Philadelphia Union: 64 Points

Remaining Opponents: Charlotte FC, Toronto FC

Trailing 1-0 to a header from Minnesota United's Brent "Leave It All Out There" Kallman on Tuesday night in St. Paul, LAFC saw all its regular season ambition — the Supporters' Shield and a clear path to hosting MLS Cup — slipping away as they stared at a fifth defeat in six matches. 

Gareth Bale had offered very little over 62 minutes before getting the hook, while Denis Bouanga was sacrificed at the same time with Steve Cherundolo hoping that Cristian Tello could offer something different.

For the first time in over 20 years, the legendary "Goalie Wars" contest returned to the MLS All-Star Game Skills Challenge on Tuesday night at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Unfortunately for viewers of the event on ESPN2, MLS was only experimenting with the return of "Goalie Wars," so the action took place during the broadcast's commercial breaks and featured four contestants from the MLS Next Pro league in a single-elimination contest.

Wednesday night, Minnesota United welcomed Everton for a friendly match at Allianz Field in St. Paul. The English side was getting ready to begin its season while taking on a Minnesota team halfway through its MLS campaign. 

Jordan Pickford, Dominick Calvert-Lewin and Tom Davies featured for Everton along with a host of other traditional starters. Minnesota only made one change from its weekend lineup against DC United — signalling an attempt to make a statement as they took on a side that finished just four points from relegation last year. 

When it comes to the biggest of soccer teams coming to USA 2022 and the resulting schedule of summer friendlies, it doesn't get much better than Manchester City versus Bayern Munich at 81,441-seat Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Saturday, July 23.