Our Drive to the Playoffs series, presented by Shawnee Mission Kia, continues with a look at Sunday's MLS matches and their impact on the playoff race.
Five games played, four to go. The penultimate weekend of the MLS season features four matches - two on national TV - and a whole lot of playoff implications.
Sporting KC failed to clinch a playoff spot on Friday, falling 1-0 to the San Jose Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium. The win moved San Jose into a three-way tie for fifth place with 47 points, but based on tiebreakers, the Earthquakes have the sixth and final Western Conference playoff spot. FC Dallas' 1-0 win over Real Salt Lake on Saturday locked up the No. 1 overall seed in the Western Conference. That means that one of five teams can still secure the No. 2 seed in the West - and avoid the one game Knockout Round - and three of those teams are in action on Sunday. Let's get to it.
Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders | 4 p.m. CT | ESPN, WatchESPN, ESPN Deportes
Seattle will clinch a playoff spot with a win on Sunday. Houston is eliminated from playoff contention if they do not win, although much has to happen for the Dynamo to be playing meaningful soccer past next weekend.
Sporting KC are currently one point ahead of the Seattle Sounders but have one less win (the first tiebreaker). Best case scenario for Sporting KC would be a Houston Dynamo win as that would keep the Sounders on 47 points and hurt their chances for hosting a Knockout Round match.
LA Galaxy vs. Portland Timbers | 6 p.m. CT | FS1, FOX Deportes, FOX Sports GO
Sunday's finale has massive implications for Sporting KC. If the Galaxy win on Sunday, they'll all but secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. No other team would be able to pass the Galaxy on points and even though Sporting KC could conceivably draw level on points and wins, the Galaxy have a sizeable goal differential lead (the second tiebreaker).
Portland are currently one point back of Sporting KC with all to play for over their final two matches. Mathematically, they cannot clinch a playoff spot this weekend nor can they be eliminated. A win, however, could put them in position to secure the No. 2 seed (pending other results) while a loss would mean the Rose City will have plenty of scoreboard watching to do over the final weekend of the regular season. For Sporting KC, best case scenario would be a draw as that would keep the Galaxy on 52 points and allow Sporting KC the chance at the No. 2 seed with wins over Colorado on Wednesday and LA on Sunday.
