Things are tightening up in the Western Conference as the MLS Cup Playoffs fast approach. After a pair of mid-week game featuring Western Conference clubs, both of whom will face Real Salt Lake in the final three matches of the season for the Claret-and-Cobalt, the race is getting quite spirited.
Here is a look at how the postseason would shake out if the season ended today.
Real Salt Lake (12-10-9, 45 points) remains in fourth place in the Western Conference, which would ensure a home match in the Knockout Round. FC Dallas (15-8-8, 53 points), the Colorado Rapids (12-5-12, 48 points) and the LA Galaxy (11-5-15, 48 points) hold the top three spots, respectively and that leaves Salt Lake to host Sporting Kansas City in the Knockout Round. Fifth-seeded SKC bested the San Jose Earthquakes to move to 12-12-7 (43 points), holding a slight edge over the Seattle Sounders (12-13-5, 41 points) after a narrow win over the Chicago Fire on Wednesday lifted Seattle above the red line for the first time this season. The Portland Timbers fell below the red line at 11-12-8 (41 points), missing out on the sixth position on the first tie-breaker – wins. The LA Galaxy would host Seattle in the Knockout Round. Depending on the winners in those matches, if RSL advances it would either host the Rapids or FC Dallas in first leg of the Conference Semifinals.
This weekend’s Western Conference matchups include:
Friday
Houston Dynamo vs. New York City FC (6 p.m. MT, UniMas)
Saturday
New England Revolution vs. Sporting Kansas City (5:30 p.m. MT, MLS Live)
Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers (7 p.m. MT, MLS Live)
FC Dallas vs. LA Galaxy (7 p.m. MT, MLS Live)
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake (8:30 p.m. MT, KMYU)
Sunday
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. Seattle Sounders FC (6 p.m. MT, FS1)
