D.C. United (14-9-6, 48 points)
Games remaining: 5 (9/27 vs. Philadelphia (
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), 10/3 vs. Sporting Kansas City (
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), 10/12 at Houston, 10/18 vs. Chicago (
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), 10/25 at Montreal)
Max points possible: 63
Outlook: A
3-3 draw at Chicago
earned D.C. United an important road point and proved, once again, an ability to battle back and grind out wins. After a long stretch of road games, United begins a much-needed two-game homestand. Taking on the Union first in a game with playoff implications, the Black-and-Red aims to continue to take care of business at home to remain atop the Eastern Conference. Support the team this Saturday when the Union comes to town (3:00 p.m., September 27 -
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)
D.C. United will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- D.C. United win vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday
AND
- Toronto FC lose or tie vs. Portland Timbers on Saturday
AND
- Columbus Crew lose or tie vs. Montreal Impact on Saturday
Sporting Kansas City (13-11-6, 45 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/3 at D.C. United, 10/10 vs. Chicago Fire, 10/18 at Philadelphia, 10/26 vs. New York Red)
Max points possible: 57
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. Sporting still has one CCL match before taking on New England and beginning a late-season run at first place.
New England Revolution (14-13-3, 45 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/4 vs. Columbus, 10/11 at Montreal, 10/16 at Houston, 10/15 vs. Toronto)
Max points possible: 57
Outlook: The Revs’ six-game unbeaten streak came to an end in Columbus, Ohio. A 1-0 loss to the Crew allowed the Red Bulls to creep up behind New England, now just one point behind the third place team. The Revolution visits Kansas City next, a side which won its most recent CCL match 3-1. After KC, the Revs have to finish strong against three struggling teams.
New York Red Bulls (10-8-11, 41 points)
Games remaining: 5 (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: Bradley-Wright Phillips took control of the match against Seattle at Red Bull Arena. Beating the League-leading Sounder, New York began its late-season push while sitting in fourth, just one point behind the Revolution. NY visits LA this weekend, then finishes the regular season with a four-game homestand against beatable Eastern Conference teams.
Columbus Crew (10-9-10, 40 points)
Games remaining: 5 (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: Breaking New England’s six-game unbeaten streak by a score line of 1-0, the Crew gained a two-point separation from the Union, establishing itself above the playoff line in 5th place. Hosting a bottom-of-the-table Montreal next, Columbus is poised to gain momentum heading into its second clash with a strong New England side, this time at Gillette Stadium. The rest of Columbus’ schedule sees Eastern Conference teams well within playoff contention, so establishing rhythm against the Impact could prove crucial.
Philadelphia Union (9-9-11, 38 points)
Games remaining: 5 (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: 53
Outlook: With a tie against Houston and a Columbus Crew win, the Union remains just below the playoff line, this time on pure point disparity, not goal differential. A scoreless tie doesn’t exactly ignite a final surge to make the playoffs, and Philly has conference-leading D.C. United this weekend at RFK, a side that scored three goals in a tie with Chicago.
Toronto FC (10-11-7, 37 points)
Games remaining: 5 (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: TFC earned its first win since Aug. 9 with a 3-0 rout of Chivas USA. Toronto continues to face Western Conference opponents, starting with a trip to Portland side coming over a big win, then a visit to Stubhub Center to face a hot LA team. With three points in its pocket, TFC has set the stage for a late-season turnaround.
Houston Dynamo (9-13-6, 33 points)
Games remaining: 6 (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: 51
Outlook: Continuing its unbeaten streak (4 games), Houston survived a scoreless draw with the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Next, the Dynamo plays host to a team that knows a thing or two about draws. The Fire visits Houston for a battle between 8th and 9th place teams, before hitting the road for two-straight games. Houston will have to adjust its game plan, though, still sitting on a road goal differential of -20.
Chicago Fire (5-7-16, 31 points)
Games remaining: 6 (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: 49
Outlook: Once again, the Fire earned one point on the weekend, this time, tying D.C. United. A 3-3 shootout saw each team in the lead for spells of the game. With playoffs still a statistical possibility for Chicago, the draws will have to end. In desperate need of three points, the Fire has to take advantage of its trip to Houston, another struggling side, and head into Philadelphia with one more game in the win column.
Montreal Impact (6-17-6, 24 points)
Games remaining: 5 (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: Beating San Jose for its 6th win of the season, Montreal isn’t rolling over. As the end of the regular season approaches, though, a playoff berth is unlikely.
