With just four weeks to go in the regular season, the MLS playoff picture is tighter than ever.
Sounders FC finds itself four points behind the Supporters’ Shield-leading LA Galaxy, who come to CenturyLink Field this weekend, but also just three points ahead of seventh-place San Jose. The Earthquakes and Portland Timbers both picked up crucial wins this past weekend while the Sounders settled for a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
The Galaxy became the first team to reach 50 points, but nine teams in MLS are within five points of them, and the New York Red Bulls own the highest points-per-game average (1.66). If the season ended today, that average of 1.66 points-per-game would be the lowest for a league-leading team in MLS since 2009.
The Red Bulls are the only club to have clinched a spot in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs, while the Chicago Fire is the only eliminated team. Four teams had chances to clinch a berth this past weekend, but they all lost (Columbus, New England, Vancouver and D.C. United). Expansion sides Orlando City and NYCFC, meanwhile, kept their playoff hopes alive with massive wins on the road.
Here is a look at the current standings in both conferences and how the playoff bracket would appear if the season ended today.
Knockout Round: 3) FC Dallas vs. 6) Portland Timbers
Knockout Round: 4) Seattle Sounders FC vs. 5) Sporting Kansas City
Conference Semifinals: 1) LA Galaxy vs. lowest ranked remaining seed
Conference Semifinals: 2) Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. highest ranked remaining seed
Knockout Round: 3) Columbus Crew SC vs. 6) Montreal Impact
Knockout Round: 4) D.C. United vs. 5) Toronto FC
Conference Semifinals: 1) New York Red Bulls vs. lowest ranked remaining seed
Conference Semifinals: 2) New England Revolution vs. highest ranked remaining seed
