There was just one MLS game in Week 32, but it was a big one in the Supporters' Shield race.
Colorado won their second straight match on Saturday night, 3-2 over the Dynamo, to pull just 2 points back of FC Dallas heading down the home stretch. Here's a look at the updated standings:
| # | Team | Points | Record | Games Rem. | Goal Diff. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | x - FC Dallas | 56 | 16-8-8 | 2 | 9 |
| 2 | x - Colorado Rapids | 54 | 14-5-12 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | x - LA Galaxy | 48 | 11-6-15 | 2 | 14 |
| 4 | Real Salt Lake | 45 | 12-11-9 | 2 | -1 |
| 5 | Seattle Sounders FC | 44 | 13-13-5 | 3 | 1 |
| 6 | Sporting KC | 43 | 12-13-7 | 2 | -1 |
| 7 | Portland Timbers | 41 | 11-13-8 | 2 | -3 |
| 8 | San Jose Earthquakes | 37 | 8-10-13 | 3 | -5 |
| 9 | e - Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 35 | 9-15-8 | 2 | -10 |
| 10 | e - Houston Dynamo | 32 | 7-13-11 | 3 | -5 |
All-Out Sprint
Dallas and Colorado will decide the Supporters' Shield winner over their next 2 and 3 matches, respectively. If the Rapids win out over their last 3 games (10/13 vs. SJ, 10/16 at POR, 10/23 vs. HOU), the Shield is theirs outright. If they were to drop a single point, Dallas could clinch with wins over their final two (10/16 vs. SEA, 10/23 at LA).
The Shield could be decided this weekend as well. If Colorado picks up just one point between their two games and Dallas wins Sunday, FCD would be out of striking distance for the Rapids. Similarly, if the Rapids win both their games, and Dallas falls on Sunday to Seattle, Colorado would be out of striking distance for Dallas.
Regardless, FCD needs to win this weekend at home against Seattle, and likely need at least a point in LA next week. And don't overlook a mid-week CCL trip to Guatemala in between the two (also a must-draw or win scenario). Let's go San Jose, Portland and Houston.
The Mid-Week Push
While the top two teams fight for supremacy up top, there's a big week ahead in the chase for a playoff berth. With 3 spots up for grabs, there's a lot to watch out for in the next 6 days.
Seattle and Houston will square off on Wednesday night in Houston, kicking off a Texas Two-Step for the Sounders and a game that could clinch them a playoff berth.
Of course Thursday's Colorado-San Jose match-up has implications at the top of the table, but for the Quakes it also could be their last hope for a playoff spot. A loss would officially eliminate them from their already diminishing chances for a postseason berth.
Sunday, Sunday, Sunday
Every team in the West will kickoff at the same time on Sunday afternoon, in what looks to be a chaotic two-hour stretch in the second-to-last games for all sides of the regular season.
- FC Dallas vs. Seattle Sounders FC
- Colorado Rapids vs. Portland Timbers
- Houston Dynamo vs. LA Galaxy
- Real Salt Lake vs. Sporting KC
- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
It's a must-win game for the likes of Portland, RSL, SKC and San Jose (should they take care of their first hurdle on Thursday).
The Timbers are on the outside looking in, and if they have any chance of seeing late October will have to take care of business at home. The RSL-SKC match-up might be one of the most intriguing of the day, as the out-right winner would clinch a spot (if RSL wins) or either clinch or come within a point of finalizing a spot (if SKC wins), and would stop a late-season free fall down the standings (both sides have just one win since Aug. 20th). And San Jose could once again be playing for their lives on Sunday against a Whitecaps team that was the first eliminated from the Western race.
