Playoff positions are being fought for as many MLS clubs are taking the field for a pair of games this week. While Real Salt Lake doesn’t kick off against the LA Galaxy until Saturday, there are still plenty of games on Wednesday that could impact RSL’s playoff hopes.
Here is a look at who to watch this weekend, when it kicks off and why it’s important for Real Salt Lake’s playoff hopes.
First: The standings
Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 14-9-6, 48 points
Portland Timbers – 13-10-8, 47 points
Sporting Kansas City – 12-6-11, 47 points
Seattle Sounders FC - 11-8-11, 44 points
Real Salt Lake – 12-14-5, 39 points
San Jose Earthquakes – 11-13-6, 39 points
Houston Dynamo – 10-10-9, 39 points
FC Dallas – 9-9-11, 38 points
Wednesday
6:00 p.m. Colorado Rapids at FC Dallas
FC Dallas is now winless in its last 10 matches after a 4-1 loss to Minnesota over the weekend. Dallas isn’t just losing though – it is losing badly. And the club’s fall from contender for the top seed in the West to desperate playoff hopes has been ruthless. Now Dallas will face a Colorado side that has won two of the last three matches and seen Dominique Badji score in three straight games to bring his season total to nine goals.
6:30 p.m. LA Galaxy at Houston Dynamo
Houston is winless in its last five matches and LA is winless in its last seven road matches and four matches overall. On one hand, an LA win would do good things for RSL’s immediate playoff standing. On the other, an LA win could trigger some momentum for the Galaxy heading into the matchup with RSL on Saturday.
8:30 p.m. Chicago Fire at San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose is unbeaten in its last seven home matches at 5-0-2. While Chicago is trying to at least secure home field advantage in the Knockout Round and possibly climb into the second seed and get a bye to the Conference Semifinals, there is a lot on the line for the Fire.
8:30 p.m. Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Seattle Sounders FC
The Cascadia Cup matchup has seen Fredy Montero light his former club on fire with three goals in the first two matches of the series as Vancouver has gone 1-0-1 against Seattle. The Sounders saw their 13-match unbeaten streak end on Saturday against RSL while Vancouver is unbeaten in its last seven matches.
