The 2022 MLS season has trickled all the way down to its remaining two video games for many groups, however there’s nonetheless time left for some to get into the postseason via the backdoor. In the meantime, the Golden Boot and MVP races are nonetheless there for the taking.
This is a have a look at what’s at stake from a playoff perspective on this weekend’s matchups.
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Friday
Miami can do themselves an enormous favor by getting a win towards eradicated Toronto. At the moment seventh with 42 factors and with a recreation in hand, Inter would make issues very laborious for his or her nearest pursuers, together with eighth-place Columbus (42 factors), by incomes three factors on Friday.
Saturday
New England Revolution vs. Atlanta United
Atlanta United have made a late surge with seven factors from their previous three matches to rise to ninth place with 40 factors, two shy of Miami. If they’re to entertain any hopes of clinching a playoff spot on Choice Day, they completely have to come back away with a win in Foxborough. The identical will be mentioned for the Revs, who’re eleventh and on 38 factors. Something lower than a victory and the playoffs will assuredly be gone.
The boys from the Lone Star State have already clinched their playoff spot and are in a comparatively snug third-place place within the Western Convention with 50 factors. They’ll sew up a first-round house playoff recreation with a win at eradicated Colorado.
Charlotte FC vs. Philadelphia Union
The excellent news for Charlotte is that though they’re in tenth within the East with 38 factors, they’ve a recreation in hand and might make up floor previous to Choice Day subsequent weekend. The unhealthy information is that they host a buzzsaw in Philadelphia, who’re eager to edge out LAFC for the Supporters’ Protect.
FC Cincinnati vs. Chicago Fireplace FC
Cincinnati helped themselves sufficient with a midweek 1-1 attract Seattle on Tuesday evening, nudging themselves into fifth place out East with 46 factors and 4 factors above eighth-place Columbus. However 4 groups chasing them within the standings — Inter Miami, Orlando, Charlotte and Columbus — all have a recreation in hand. Victory at house towards eradicated Chicago would assist immensely.
Columbus Crew vs. New York Pink Bulls
Columbus are simply barely on the skin wanting in at current with 42 factors, however the Crew do have a recreation in hand. Irrespective of, although, Saturday towards New York remains to be a must-win as a result of the 2 sides proper in entrance of them, Miami and Orlando, even have a recreation in hand. In the meantime, the Pink Bulls have clinched a playoff spot and might nail down a house recreation in Spherical 1 with a win.
Technically, there’s nonetheless an opportunity Montreal can win the Supporters’ Protect, which might be extraordinary. If Philly and LAFC every lose their remaining two video games and Montreal beat last-place D.C. United after which win their finale, the Quebec aspect would carry the trophy.
San Jose Earthquakes vs. Minnesota United
The likes of Actual Salt Lake (43), Vancouver (40) and Seattle (40) are nonetheless pursuing seventh-place Minnesota (45) for the ultimate playoff spot, so it’s merely a must-win for the Loons at eradicated San Jose.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Austin FC
Making up 5 factors in two video games is asking lots of Vancouver, and extra so towards Austin, who will end second within the West and boast the convention’s greatest street file (8-6-2). There may be additionally the MVP and Golden Boot carrot nonetheless dangling for Sebastian Driussi (21 objectives), who trails Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar (23) by two objectives within the scoring race.
LA Galaxy vs. Actual Salt Lake
Big recreation for each. This factor can break some ways. Through the worldwide break, the Galaxy used a win towards San Jose to catapult themselves into fifth spot (46 factors) within the Western Convention and now the entire sudden, leapfrogging Nashville (47) for a house recreation in Spherical 1 could be very attainable. A loss, nevertheless, would put them degree on factors with RSL and drive a dramatic Choice Day setup, which hasn’t gone effectively for the Galaxy in recent times. In the meantime, if Actual Salt Lake drop any factors, their postseason hopes might be in critical jeopardy.
Sunday
New York Metropolis FC vs. Orlando Metropolis SC
Fourth-place NYCFC (49 factors) can punch their postseason ticket with a house win towards Orlando, however the guests from Florida are equally hungry for victory, sitting sixth with 45 factors. Orlando have a recreation in hand, however three factors in Gotham would make issues simpler in that remaining week.
Portland Timbers vs. LAFC
LAFC are nonetheless jousting with the Union for the Supporters’ Protect, so whereas the highest spot within the West is already determined, the prospect to win a second Protect is there. Portland are sixth with 46 factors and will clinch a playoff berth with a win and an RSL loss or draw, however may additionally discover themselves in hassle with a loss.
Sporting Kansas Metropolis vs. Seattle Sounders FC
Is the streak over? Seattle have by no means missed the MLS Cup playoffs of their historical past, however they’re watching that destiny going into their remaining two video games. At the moment ninth with 40 factors and 5 factors off seventh-place Minnesota United, the Sounders must win out, beginning towards eradicated Sporting Kansas Metropolis, and hope the groups forward drop factors.
Nashville SC vs. Houston Dynamo FC
Nashville can clinch a playoff berth with a win towards eradicated Houston, and they’re going to even be eager to hold onto fourth place within the West so they’re assured of a minimum of one house recreation within the postseason. They’re one level forward of nearest pursuers LA Galaxy and Portland for internet hosting at house. There may be additionally a race for MVP candidate Mukhtar, who’s attempting to fend off Austin’s Driussi for the scoring title.
