THE PLAYOFFS are growing ever-closer, with several teams across MLS either pushing for better playoff positioning or just hoping to keep their postseason dreams alive. This weekend, in particular, features some crucial games on either side of the spectrum.

Here’s what I’ll be watching for.

Game of the Week: L.A. vs. FC Dallas

In an unusual twist, there are a lot of question marks surrounding Sunday’s matchup (9:30pm ET, Fox Sports 1) between two of the best teams in MLS. The Galaxy boast an unprecedented amount of talent for an American team, with Gyasi Zardes, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Sebastian Lletget, and Giovani Dos Santos, but has somehow been shut out in three straight games and has not scored a goal in 279 minutes.

Everyone fully expects the Galaxy to get its act together sooner rather than later, but it does give pause to the notion that Bruce Arena’s squad will coast toward yet another MLS Cup. If L.A. continues to struggle offensively, perhaps its problems are deeper than they appear.

Awaiting the Galaxy on Sunday night in Carson, Calif., will be a young FC Dallas team that at times flirts with being a contender but lacks consistency at others. This was most evident in last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City, in which it had the kinds of mental lapses that the top teams tend to keep to a minimum.

The Galaxy and FC Dallas enter the game tied with 47 points, although Dallas has played two fewer games. A win by Oscar Pareja’s club, then, will put it in strong contention not just for the lead in the Western Conference, but also for the Supporters’ Shield.

In the end, these two talented sides are tough to figure out. Sunday’s game should be telling as far as how each is set up heading into the playoffs. 

Hot Montreal meets cold D.C. United

In a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions, a surging Montreal hosts a fading D.C. United (5pm ET, MLS Live), which at one point looked like an elite contender but now looks the part of a relative non-factor.

Over the course of the season, Montreal has taken tremendous steps to improve its roster. Belgium’s Laurent Ciman is the best defender in the league, and the addition of Didier Drogba has exceeded even the loftiest expectations. And, after joining midway last season, Ignacio Piatti is really coming to life too. 

Meanwhile, in D.C., the situation has become dire. United has earned just a single point from its past five games and is struggling on both sides of the ball. Will United wilt once again against Montreal, or flash some long-lost resolve and bounce back?

Crew look to continue Portland's Woes

No team in MLS has its back against the wall right now as much as the Portland Timbers. Caleb Porter’s team is winless in its past four and is coming off a lethargic 2-0 loss to the Red Bulls. It now sits in sixth place, which is still in line for a playoff spot—barely. With 41 points, the Timbers have three teams below them that are within three.

To make matters worse, Portland will how have to travel to Columbus today (7:30pm ET, MLS Live) to take on a Crew team that is playing fantastic soccer, with four wins in five games. Of particular interest is the offensive battle between Darlington Nagbe and Ethan Finlay.

Ever since Nagbe acquired his American citizenship two weeks ago (and even before), fans have been wondering when he will get a look with the U.S. national team. On the flip side is Finlay, a speedy player who is putting up impressive numbers, with 13 assists and nine goals.

San Jose—RSL Has playoff  implications

A few weeks ago it seemed unlikely that Sunday’s game between San Jose and Salt Lake (7pm ET, Fox Sports 1) would hold any serious playoff implications. That, however, has changed dramatically. Should the Timbers lose as expected to the heavily favored Crew, San Jose would move into sixth place. Salt Lake could also move into the playoff zone with a win, depending on Houston’s result against Colorado.

With a potential loss dealing a severe blow to either team’s playoff hopes, anticipate a desperation kind of feel in this one.

Resurgent Seattle heads to Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City lost this past Wednesday to Houston in yet another tough moment in a tough month for one of the league’s strongest teams. Yes, Sporting will make the playoffs, but Saturday's game against Seattle (5pm ET, ESPN) will provide a real litmus test for its talent and potential.

Seattle, meanwhile, has been on fire since a difficult summer skid. In league play, the Sounders have three wins and a draw in their last four, thrashing the host Whitecaps, 3-0, last weekend for their best win of the season. On Wednesday, it cruised past Vancouver with the same scoreline in Champions League action to advance to the knockout stages.

Especially when Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins are on their game, there’s no MLS offense more dangerous.

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.