To say the march to the MLS playoffs is heating up is a understatement. With just under a month of the regular season remaining, there are eight clubs with a realistic chance of claiming the Supporters' Shield. And there have already been seven teams eliminated from the playoffs - five from the Eastern Conference.

The USMNT national pool has several players who are becoming significant factors. Matt Freese helped NYCFC ice their trip to the postseason (see what we did there) with a win over the previously surging Charlotte FC. Orlando City SC's Duncan McGuire has spent the majority of his season on the mend, but got his shooting boots back for an important three points.

And Jack McGlynn continues to have a largely under-the-radar dominant season for the Houston Dynamo - despite the club's current struggles.

GOAL looks at the major takeaways from USMNT players in MLS.