FRISCO - After Week 16 in MLS, the race for supremacy in the Western Conference remains tight.
The conference's six playoff spots are separated by just seven points, and only six points separate last place Minnesota United and sixth place San Jose.
As it has for the entirety of the 2017 season, FC Dallas is comfortably among the West's top six teams. Portland's loss and Houston's draw last weekend, coupled with the 1-1 draw between FC Dallas and Vancouver, means there is a three-way tie for second place in the conference.
As such, the winner of Friday's Texas Derby match in Houston can jump into a tie for first place with Sporting Kansas City.
While Sporting Kansas City leads the trio of teams by three points, SKC has played a game more than Houston and Portland, and two games more than Dallas.
Vancouver and San Jose, each with 20 points, fill out the remaining playoff spots. Just outside the playoff picture are the L.A. Galaxy and defending MLS Cup Champions Seattle Sounders.
Despite their comparative struggles this season, Minnesota, Colorado and Real Salt Lake are all within six points or fewer of a playoff spot, meaning that every match bears major significance in the Western Conference.
