Updated Playoff Picture: Sporting KC controls its own destiny in the West

Sporting Kansas City was off this weekend, but two MLS matches unfolded elsewhere that carried major implications in the Western Conference playoff picture.

LAFC trailed the Houston Dynamo in the first half of Friday's home tilt, sat through a 104-minute rain delay, then rallied in the second half to prevail 4-2. The following afternoon, FC Dallas looked destined to secure a road point at D.C. United before conceding in the 86th minute to fall 1-0.

As the MLS calendar turns to the penultimate week of the 2018 regular season, let’s take stock of where Sporting KC stands in the ultra-competitive West.

Sporting KC is chasing FC Dallas and LAFC

Sitting on 53 points through 31 games, third-place Sporting KC is four points behind leaders FC Dallas and three behind LAFC. Manager Peter Vermes’ men have a game in hand on both teams above them, and that game will come Wednesday when Sporting KC battles Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place in Vancouver. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 94.5 FM and ESPN Deportes KC 1480 AM.

Sporting KC, LAFC and FC Dallas are the only three teams in the West who have clinched playoff berths, while Portland and Seattle are safe bets to grab spots themselves. Vermes’ side can finish no lower than fifth at season’s end, but motivation is higher than ever to bring the MLS Cup Playoffs back to Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC’s magic number for a home playoff game remains 5

In order for Sporting KC to guarantee a top-four finish and the home playoff game that comes with it, they must accumulate five points from their final three games. That magic number could shrink depending on results from teams below them in the standings, but five nonetheless remains the target.

After visiting Vancouver on Wednesday, Sporting KC will close out the regular season against none other than FC Dallas and LAFC — the top two teams in the West. The former is slated for 4 p.m. CT Sunday at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The latter is one of 11 MLS matches kicking off concurrently on Decision Day, with Children’s Mercy Park welcoming LAFC for the first time on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Sporting KC controls its own destiny for top spot in the West

If Sporting KC wins out, they will be assured of the No. 1 seed in the West. Nine points from their final three games would put them at 62 points overall. The best that LAFC and FC Dallas could end with, assuming they lose to Sporting KC, would be 59 and 60 points, respectively.

Sporting KC would also be happy to finish second, which clinches a Knockout Round bye to the two-legged conference semifinals on Nov. 4 and 11. But in order to finish in the top two, it’s very likely that Sporting KC will need at least 5 more points. SportsClubStats gives a breakdown of the club’s seeding probabilities based on their total number of points at the end of the regular season.

Tickets for Decision Day are on sale now

In what will probably be the most important game of the year to date, Sporting KC will host LAFC at 3:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 28, in the 2018 regular season finale. Click here to get your tickets via SeatGeek as Sporting KC celebrates Fan Appreciation Day with an afternoon full of supporter-friendly festivities. Countless prizes will be up for grabs exclusively through the Sporting KC Uphoria app, including the following:

• A pair of 2019 Sporting KC season tickets
• Player-autographed merchandise
• VIP experiences
• 50 percent off authentic jerseys
• Discount offers at SportingStyle and concessions

Playoff tickets are available, too

Tickets for Sporting KC’s first potential home playoff match at Children’s Mercy Park are also on sale via SeatGeek.com. Sporting KC Season Ticket Members will automatically retain their seats for all playoff matches, excluding the MLS Cup final, and can contact their Client Services Executive for questions and further information. If Sporting KC does not host a match in the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, all individuals who purchased tickets through SeatGeek will be automatically refunded.

Western Conference Standings (as of Oct. 15, 2018)

"x" - Clinched playoff spot
"e" - Eliminated from playoff race
Tie-breaking procedures: Number of wins, then goal differential, then goals for, etc.
Competition Rules and Regulations