FRISCO – With just one more game remaining in the 2018 regular season, the playoff seeding in the West is still very unclear. Byes, home matches and the final playoff spot are all still up for grabs heading into the never-boring Decision Day.
Dallas dropped two spots in the standings after a 3-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City. FCD heads to Colorado next week and would clinch the second seed with a win, securing a first-round bye. With a loss, Dallas could drop as low as fifth in the table.
Sporting Kansas City took a come-from-behind win over Vancouver on Wednesday, and then on Sunday regained possession of first place after the road victory over Dallas. It will host LAFC on Decision Day, and with a win or a draw, Sporting will have home-field advantage throughout the Western Conference Playoffs.
Even after LAFC blew a 2-0 halftime lead at home on Sunday in a 2-2 draw with Vancouver, the expansion side still controls its own destiny. It'll capture the No. 1 seed in the West with a win at Sporting on Sunday.
Seattle leaped Portland in the standings after a six-point week. First, it defeated Orlando City SC 2-1 on the road, thanks to goals from Víctor Rodríguez and Handwalla Bwana. On Sunday, Seattle won another one-goal game, beating Houston 3-2. Nicolás Lodeiro totaled three assists to get to 15 on the year, tied for the third highest in MLS. Seattle hosts last-place San Jose on Sunday and can, with some help, still secure a first-round bye.
Portland defeated Real Salt Lake 3-0 at home and clinched a top-five seed. It heads to Vancouver on the weekend and can still get as high as the No. 3 seed.
Real Salt Lake's regular season is over and it will have to watch from the sideline as it sits one point ahead of the LA Galaxy for the final playoff spot.
The Galaxy kept their playoff dreams alive with a 3-1 win in Minnesota. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a goal and an assist in the match. He has now scored in five straight games and is second in MLS with 22 goals and 32 points. The Galaxy host the Dynamo this weekend, and with a win or a draw, will take the final spot in the playoffs.
