D.C. United (15-9-7, 52 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/12 at Houston, 10/18 vs. Chicago, 10/25 at Montreal)
Max points possible: 61
Outlook: By virtue of a 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United clinched its spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. With three games left in the regular season, United has turned its focus to winning the East and securing crucial home field advantage for the playoffs. Join DCU at home on 10/18 as it hosts the Chicago Fire for its last home match of the regular season. Buy tickets here.
New England Revolution (15-13-3, 48 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/11 at Montreal, 10/16 at Houston, 10/15 vs. Toronto)
Max points possible: 57
Outlook: New England is gaining momentum heading into the postseason. Beating the Columbus Crew 2-1 pushed the Revs past Sporting Kansas City into sole possession of second in the East. With three teams below the playoff line left, they have a chance to build plenty of rhythm for playoffs.
Sporting Kansas City (13-11-7, 46 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/10 vs. Chicago Fire, 10/18 at Philadelphia, 10/26 vs. New York Red Bulls)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: A 0-0 tie with D.C. United last weekend saw Sporting Kansas City drop into third place. Hosting a struggling Chicago Fire side this Saturday, Sporting has to find its groove again, having only won one game in its last seven. Dropping even further down the standings is still a possibility, as SKC will finish the regular season hosting the team right on its heels, the New York Red Bulls.
New York Red Bulls (12-8-11, 44 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/11 vs. Toronto, 10/19 vs. Columbus, 10/26 Kansas City)
Max points possible: 53
Outlook: The Red Bulls reclaimed fourth place from the Columbus Crew after a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. With only one point between itself and the Crew, and only two points behind SKC, every point matters and New York can solidify its positioning in the postseason with a couple wins.
Columbus Crew (11-10-10, 43 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/11 at Philadelphia, 10/19 at New York, 10/26 vs. Philadelphia)
Max points possible: 52
Outlook: The Crew remain somewhat comfortable despite dropping one spot to fifth with their 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution last weekend. Columbus has only lost one game in its last five, but Toronto only sits three points behind with a game in hand.
Toronto FC (11-12-7, 40 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/8 vs. Houston, 10/11 at New York, 10/18 vs. Montreal, 10/25 at New England)
Max points possible: 52
Outlook: Though Toronto dropped its last game to the Galaxy, it has four games left to continue its late season push for the playoffs while most other teams in playoff contention have just three. A midweek date with increasingly desperate Houston is next on the docket.
Philadelphia Union (9-10-12, 39 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/11 vs. Columbus, 10/18 vs. Kansas City, 10/26 at Columbus)
Max points possible: 50
Outlook: Rais Mbolhi’s mistake turned a win into a tie last week and might just have sunk the Union’s postseason hopes. Philadelphia’s final three games won’t be easy: a home and away series left with Columbus, a team that’s found its rhythm, and a Kansas City side still well above the playoff line.
Houston Dynamo (10-14-6, 36 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/8 at Toronto, 10/12 vs. D.C. United, 10/16 vs. New England, 10/24 at Chicago Fire)
Max points possible: 48
Outlook: Houston’s five-game unbeaten streak has ended with a 1-0 loss to the New York Red Bulls. With four games remaining, two on the road and two at home, the Dynamo’s late-season push might be in jeopardy.
Chicago Fire (5-8-18, 33 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/10 at Kansas City, 10/18 at D.C. United, 10/24 vs. Houston)
Max points possible: 42
Outlook: A 0-0 draw with the Montreal Impact has statistically eliminated the Fire from playoff contention.
Montreal Impact (6-18-7, 24 points)
Games remaining: 3 (10/11 vs. New England, 10/18 at Toronto, 20/15 vs. D.C. United)
Max points possible: 34
Outlook: Statistically eliminated from playoffs.
