The Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs are just six weeks away and the field is far from set.
Four teams in the East have a realistic shot at the top two seeds while Montreal will try and hold off Orlando City, New York City FC and the Philadelphia Union.
In the West, three teams (Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy) have separated themselves from the field while the Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City, Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes will be fighting for the final three spots.
Decision Day will be the ultimate decider for a lot of these teams but below are seven games that will help determine the field before October 25.
D.C. United-Columbus Crew SC; September 19 (7 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
While both of these teams are solidly in the playoff picture, they will be fighting for the seed they want on Saturday night. Columbus have made no bones about wanting one of the top two seeds in the East, thereby missing the Knockout Round.
Sporting Kansas City-Seattle Sounders; September 27 (5 pm ET; ESPN/ESPN Deportes/WatchESPN)
Currently fighting for their playoff lives, these two teams will play in a game that will likely decide who gets to feel safer and who will have to worry about going below the red line.
Orlando City SC-Montreal Impact; October 3 (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
Montreal have just one more point than their Floridian competitors but, more importantly, they also have three games in hand on Orlando City. If Orlando can win this game at home they could make a run at the No. 6 seed in the East. Anything other than that and the Impact will have all but the seed the playoff spot.
Portland Timbers-Sporting Kansas City; October 3 (10:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
These two teams currently sit in the last two playoff spots in the West with just one more point than the San Jose Earthquakes. A win here would go a long way to securing a playoff berth.
Vancouver Whitecaps-FC Dallas; October 7 & October 14
Both of these Western Conference powers have all but secured their spot in the playoffs but they will face off twice in October in games that could go a long way to determining who will take home the Supporters' Shield. Vancouver currently holds a one point edge on Dallas and they will host Oscar Pareja's on the 7th (10 pm ET; TSN/MLS LIVE) before heading down to Frisco on the 14th (9 pm ET; TSN/MLS LIVE).
San Jose Earthquakes-Sporting Kansas City; October 16 (11 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
San Jose just had a rough stretch at home where they collected just two points of a possible nine and this game could be their last gasp at reaching the playoffs. They will be facing a Sporting Kansas City that are currently five-game winless run and will be at the end of a three-game gauntlet against Seattle and Portland.
LA Galaxy-Portland Timbers; October 18 (TBD)
This will be a meaningful for both teams as this will likely be a must-win for the Galaxy if they want any shot at the Supporters' Shield. The Timbers will likely still be fighting for a playoff spot one week before Decision Day.
