MLS Matchday 24: A Look Ahead

September is almost here and the MLS playoff race is beginning to tighten as teams begin to realize just how much tougher it is to make the post-season than it was a few years ago.

The Home Depot Clasico serves as the weekend's headliner, with the Los Angeles looking to put a stranglehold on the playoff spot it currently holds, while also putting a dent into its arch-rival's own post-season chances.

While the LA tilt gets plenty of attention, the Chicago-D.C. United match-up is just as important, with D.C. needing a win to keep pace in the brutal battle for the last playoff spots. With the U.S. Open Cup final looming next Wednesday, D.C. will have some tough decisions to make as far as who to play and who to rest vs. Chicago.

Here is a look at this week's matches as well as the Best XI match-ups to watch:

MLS Week 24 Schedule

SATURDAY

Toronto FC at Seattle Sounders(4pm, Direct Kick)

San Jose Earthquakes at New England Revolution(7:30pm, Direct Kick)

D.C. United at Chicago Fire(8:30pm, Fox Soccer Channel)

Real Salt Lake at Kansas City Wizards(8:30pm, Direct Kick)

Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy(11pm, ESPN2)

SUNDAY

Houston Dynamo at Colorado Rapids(3pm, Telefutura)

Columbus Crew at New York Red Bulls(6pm, MSG)

Week 24 Best XI MLS match-ups

• Pablo Mastroeni vs. Stuart Holden

• Geoff Cameron & Bobby Boswell vs. Conor Casey & Omar Cummings

• Cuauhtemoc Blanco vs. Ben Olsen

• David Beckham vs. Jesse Marsch

• Amado Guevara vs. Osvaldo Alonso

• Darren Huckerby vs. Steve Ralston

• Luciano Emilio vs. Wilman Conde

• Brian Namoff vs. Marco Pappa

• Juan Pablo Angel vs. Chad Marshall

• Marvell Wynne vs. Steve Zakuani

• Jimmy Conrad vs. Robbie Findley

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Which match are you looking forward to the most? Who do you see winning the "SuperClasico"? Think the Red Bulls have any chance against the Crew?

Share your thoughts below.