FRISCO - With just a handful of games over the weekend, and a midweek match between Houston and Sporting KC on the horizon, everyone in the West will be level on games played come the weekend. From there, it's a race to the finish with still lots to be decided in the Western Conference.
Postseason or Bust
Starting with the most crucial race, it's essentially a four-team dogfight for the final two spots in the 2017 postseason. Currently, the Texas tandem of Houston and Dallas hold down the 5th and 6th seeds, respectively, on 43 points. But there are two sharks in the water sitting just one point back of the playoff line.
The Dynamo can take the outright lead depending on their meeting with SKC on Wednesday night. With a loss Wednesday and any more dropped points over their final two games, Houston would play into Dallas' playoff jockeying, but until later in the week, we'll focus on the teams trying to catch up.
Over the final two games, Dallas has to match or exceed what each of the teams chasing them, RSL and San Jose, do in terms of points. With the first playoff tiebreaker being number of wins, FCD's 10 would not match either club's 12. Both face one game against a playoff lock and one game against a conference dweller, meaning Dallas will need all possible points from a tough road trip to Seattle and a home finale against the Galaxy.
Date | Houston | Dallas | Salt Lake | San Jose |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 11 | vs. SKC | -- | -- | -- |
Oct. 15 | at SKC | at SEA | at COL | at VAN |
Oct. 22 | vs. CHI | vs. LA | vs. SKC | vs. MIN |
Position Chase
With Vancouver the only team assured a spot in the postseason and having lost two of their last three, it's a free-for-all for positioning at the top of the conference. SKC, Portland and Seattle are all within striking distance of the top and the final two (or three in SKC's case) games will be all about first-round byes and home-field advantage.
Date | Vancouver | Sporting KC | Portland | Seattle |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 11 | -- | at HOU | -- | -- |
Oct. 15 | vs. SJ | vs. HOU | vs. DC | vs. FCD |
Oct. 22 | at POR | at RSL | vs. VAN | vs. COL |
If The Season Ended Today:
Click to Enlarge