D.C. United (14-9-5, 47 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 at Chicago, 9/27 vs. Philadelphia, 10/3 vs. Sporting Kansas City, 10/12 at Houston, 10/18 vs. Chicago, 10/25 at Montreal)
Max points possible: 65
Outlook: A couple more victories are needed to clinch a return to the postseason and complete an historic turnaround from 2013. Second in the East in road victories (five), United will have three points on its mind in Chicago this weekend, but the two-game homestand that follows couldn’t be more perfectly timed.
- Related: Buy tickets to one of D.C. United's remaining home games - 9/27 vs. Philly, 10/3 vs. SKC, 10/18 vs. Chicago
Sporting Kansas City (13-10-6, 45 points)
Games remaining: 5 (9/26 at New England, 10/3 at D.C. United, 10/10 vs. Chicago Fire, 10/18 at Philadelphia, 10/26 vs. New York Red)
Max points possible: 60
Outlook: Winning only two of its last eight matches, Sporting Kansas City has worked hard and turned around a four-game losing streak (which started with a 3-0 loss to D.C. United) with a 4-0 win over Chivas USA. They’ll need to focus on two CCL games before taking on New England and beginning a late-season run at first place.
New England Revolution (13-12-3, 42 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 at Columbus, 9/26 at Kansas City, 10/4 vs. Columbus, 10/11 at Montreal, 10/16 at Houston, 10/15 vs. Toronto)
Max points possible: 60
Outlook: In the midst of a five-game winning streak (six games unbeaten) and 12 goals in the last five matches, firepower is on display and momentum is building in Foxborough. With four of those five wins coming at home, and four of the remaining matches on the road, the future of this streak is unknown.
New York Red Bulls (9-8-11, 38 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 vs. Seattle, 9/28 at Los Angeles, 10/4 vs. Houston, 10/11 vs. Toronto, 10/19 vs. Columbus, 10/26 Kansas City)
Max points possible: 56
Outlook: With the second most goals scored in the East (44) and MLS’ leading scorer in Bradley Wright-Phillips (21), an end-of-the-season surge is possible. The Red Bulls start their six-game finale against league-leading Seattle before a long stretch of home matches against beatable teams below them in the standings.
Columbus Crew (9-9-10, 37 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 vs. New England, 9/27 vs. Montreal, 10/4 at New England, 10/11 at Philadelphia, 10/19 at New York, 10/26 vs. Philadelphia)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: With a streaky record all year, the Crew finds itself just above that red line on goal differential over Philadelphia. Two of its last six matches are a clash with red-hot New England, and two others are against the Union, with whom they’re tied for points. The Crew’s playoff hopes might come down to the wire.
Philadelphia Union (9-9-10, 37 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 vs. Houston, 9/27 at D.C. United, 10/2 vs. Chicago, 10/11 vs. Columbus, 10/18 vs. Kansas City, 10/26 at Columbus)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: A run to the U.S. Open Cup Final has fed the Union, who are currently on a four-game unbeaten streak in MLS. A goal differential of +2 puts the squad just below the playoff line, and a mixed bag lies ahead. Two meetings with the Crew will prove crucial, but clashes with Eastern Conference leaders D.C. United and Kansas City are also on the docket as well as matchups with teams in desperate need of wins.
Toronto FC (9-11-7, 34 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/21 vs. Chivas USA, 9/27 vs. Portland, 10/4 at Los Angeles, 10/8 vs. Houston, 10/11 at New York, 10/18 vs. Montreal, 10/25 at New England)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: With zero wins in six matches and a schedule which runs the gamut, TFC has to regain its early-season form, and quick. With a front office in flux and no wins since Aug. 9, Toronto’s stage is set for a come-from-behind playoff push, only two places out of the race.
Houston Dynamo (9-13-15, 32 points)
Games remaining: 7 (9/20 at Philadelphia, 9/28 vs. Chicago, 10/4 at New York, 10/8 at Toronto, 10/12 vs. D.C. United, 10/16 vs. New England, 10/24 at Chicago Fire)
Max points possible: 53
Outlook: Currently sitting on a road goal differential of -20, it’s not good news for Houston that four of its last seven matches are away from BBVA Compass Stadium. Besides Montreal, the Dynamo have given up the most goals in the East (50) but are currently on a three-game unbeaten streak. One team’s unbeaten streak will likely break at Houston v Philly this weekend.
Chicago Fire (5-7-15, 30 points)
Games remaining: 7 (9/20 vs. D.C. United, 9/28 at Houston, 10/2 at Philadelphia, 10/5 vs. Montreal, 10/10 at Kansas City, 10/18 at D.C. United, 10/24 vs. Houston)
Max points possible: 51
Outlook: The king of ties this season, the Fire have seven games left with 21 possible points on the line. With a majority of matches on the road, Chicago has to get rolling quickly to make a run at playoff contention.
Montreal Impact (5-17-6, 21 points)
Games remaining: 6 (9/20 vs. San Jose, 9/27 at Columbus, 10/5 at Chicago, 10/11 vs. New England, 10/18 at Toronto, 20/15 vs. D.C. United)
Max points possible: 39
Outlook: As a rough regular season comes to an end, there are only two playoff spots available to the Impact if it wins its next 6 matches.
