Sporting KC remain second place in the Eastern Conference after a bye week and heading into the final stretch run of the regular season.
The top four sides have started to build some separation from the rest but it's still just a ten point gap from first place D.C. United to sixth place Philadelphia. Eighth place Houston are still mathematically in the hunt but are seven points back with just six matches remaining. Philadelphia are two points back of fifth place Columbus but the two clubs will play twice in the final weeks of the regular season. Toronto FC improved their playoff chances with a win against Chivas USA and has a match in hand on the top six Eastern Conference sides. At the top of the standings, a draw at Chicago extended D.C. United's lead to three points over Sporting KC, but the two teams will meet at RFK Stadium on October 3.
In the last two seasons, the fifth place team in the Eastern Conference has earned 49 points (Montreal, 2013) and 53 points (Houston, 2012).
Magic Number
11 - The maximum number of points a team currently outside the top five can reach is 55 (Toronto FC). If Sporting KC reach 56 points (11 more than their current total), they'll be guaranteed a top-five finish in the Eastern Conference standings. This number is likely to change from week to week, as most teams will drop some points in their remaining matches.
Eastern Conference (Top 5 advance to playoffs)
<u><strong>Team</strong></u> |
<u><strong>Points</strong></u> |
<u><strong>Record</strong></u> |
<u><strong>Matches Remaining</strong></u> |
<u><strong>Highest Possible Points</strong></u> |
<u><strong>Remaining Schedule</strong></u> |
|
1 |
D.C. United |
48 |
14-9-6 |
5 |
63 |
vs PHI, vs SKC, at HOU, vs CHI, at MTL |
2 |
Sporting KC |
45 |
13-10-6 |
5 |
60 |
vs NE, at D.C., vs CHI, at PHI, vs NY |
3 |
NE Revolution |
42 |
13-13-3 |
5 |
57 |
at SKC, vs CLB, at MTL, at HOU, vs TOR |
4 |
NY Red Bulls |
41 |
10-8-11 |
5 |
56 |
at LA, vs HOU, vs TOR, vs CLB, at SKC |
5 |
Columbus Crew |
40 |
10-9-10 |
5 |
55 |
vs MTL, at NE, at PHI, at NY, vs PHI |
6 |
Philadelphia Union |
38 |
9-9-11 |
5 |
53 |
at D.C., vs CHI, vs CLB, vs SKC, CLB |
7 |
Toronto FC |
37 |
10-11-7 |
6 |
55 |
vs POR, at LA, vs HOU, at NY, vs MTL, at NE |
8 |
Houston Dynamo |
33 |
9-13-6 |
6 |
51 |
vs CHI, at NY, at TOR, vs D.C., vs NE, at CHI |
