The LA Galaxy may have been the first team to clinch a playoff spot this year, but Western Conference rivals the Seattle Sounders could be joining them this Saturday.
Here's the scenario:
WATCH: The Road To LA
The Sounders will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
- They defeat D.C. United AND ...
- the Portland Timbers lose to the New England Revolution AND ...
- the Houston Dynamo lose to either the Columbus Crew OR the San Jose Earthquakes this week
The Sounders are the only team that can clinch a playoff berth this weekend. Also, no team can mathematically be eliminated from contention this week, regardless of what happens.
Last year, the Galaxy were the first team to clinch a playoff berth, doing so with five weeks remaining in the regular season. This year, they did it with six weeks still left to be played – the earliest a team has clinched since FC Dallas in 2006, also with six weeks remaining.