Sporting KC have a three point lead in the Eastern Conference with two matches left in the MLS regular season. They are currently unbeaten in their last 10 matches with a 6-0-4 record. The team has clinched a playoff spot but could finish anywhere from first to fourth in the Eastern Conference and first to seventh overall.
Sporting KC could clinch the Eastern Conference regular season title on October 20th when they travel to face the New York Red Bulls if they
- win at NY and CHI loses at NE
- win at NY and CHI draws at NE
- draw at NY and CHI loses at NE
Sporting KC can clinch at least second place in the Eastern Conference and home field advantage at least through first two rounds if they
- draw at NY
KC can finish no worse than fourth place in the Eastern Conference and seventh overall (only three Western Conference sides could finish with more points). The remaining schedules are below along with highest possible points and tiebreakers (Goals Scored, Goal Difference).
Eastern Conference
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Points</strong> |
<strong>Highest Possible Points</strong> |
<strong>Goals Scored</strong> |
<strong>Goal Difference</strong> |
<strong>Remaining Matches</strong> |
Sporting KC |
59 |
65 |
40 |
14 |
at NY (10/20), v PHI (10/24) |
Chicago Fire |
56 |
62 |
45 |
6 |
at NE (10/20), v DC (10/27) |
DC United |
54 |
60 |
49 |
9 |
v CLB (10/20), at CHI (10/27) |
NY Red Bulls |
53 |
59 |
54 |
8 |
v KC (10/20), at PHI (10/27) |
Western Conference
<strong>Team</strong> |
<strong>Points</strong> |
<strong>Highest Possible Points</strong> |
<strong>Goals Scored</strong> |
<strong>Goal Difference</strong> |
<strong>Remaining Matches</strong> |
SJ Earthquakes |
64 |
70 |
69 |
+29 |
v LA (10/21), at POR (10/27) |
Real Salt Lake |
56 |
62 |
46 |
+11 |
at SEA (10/17), v VAN (10/27) |
Seattle Sounders |
52 |
61 |
48 |
+17 |
v RSL (10/17), v DAL (10/21) at LA (10/28) |
A draw for Sporting in one of their final two matches will guarantee them at least third (in the East) and a win will guarantee at least second place (in the East). Below is more details on where Sporting will finish depending on results in their last two regular season matches.
<strong>Results (W-L-T)</strong> |
<strong>Finish</strong> |
2-0-0 (6 points) - 65 points |
1st (East), At least 2nd (overall) |
1-0-1 (4 points) - 63 points |
1st (East), At least 2nd (overall) |
1-1-0 (3 points) - 62 points |
At least 2nd (East), At least 4th (overall) |
0-1-1 (1 point) - 60 points |
At least 3rd (East), At least 6th (overall) |
0-2-0 (0 points) - 59 points |
At least 4th (East), At least 7th (overall) |
The tiebreakers if two teams are tied on points are as follows.
1) Most total goals scored
2) Greatest goal differential
3) Fewest disciplinary points
4) Most road goals scored
5) Greatest road goal differential
6) Most home goals scored
7) Greatest home goal differential
8) Coin toss (for 2 teams) or drawing of lots (3 or more teams)
The tiebreakers do not favor Sporting who have scored fewer goals than all of the other teams around them. This means that surpassing San Jose in the Supporters' Shield race would be very difficult. Sporting would need to win all their remaining matches and have San Jose lose their final two matches.
Sporting KC would win the Supporters' Shield if
- they win at NY, v PHI and SJ loses at LA, v POR
