Red Line Report: Projecting the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs field

It's table-watching season in MLS. Sure, the standings matter plenty before August, but these days the MLS Cup Playoffs races taking form as 20 teams fight for 12 spots.

In the Eastern Conference, the landscape is unchanged from last week, with all six teams holding on to their places above the red line. Not so in the Western Conference, as Real Salt Lake moved up to third place thanks to their 3-1 win against FC Dallas and Sporting Kansas City now hold the fourth spot after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-0.

If the regular season ended today ...

Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket

Conference Semifinals

1. New York City FC

Conference Semifinals

2. Toronto FC

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Knockout Round

3. New York Red Bulls

VS.

6. D.C. United

Knockout Round

4. Philadelphia Union

VS.

5. Montreal Impact

Western Conference Playoff Bracket

Conference Semifinals

1. FC Dallas

Conference Semifinals

2. Colorado Rapids

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Knockout Round

3. Real Salt Lake

VS.

6. Portland Timbers

Knockout Round

4. Sporting Kansas City

VS.

5. LA Galaxy

Strength of Schedule and Expected Points

The strength of schedule metric takes into account the average points per game (PPG) that each team's oppponents earn at home and on the road. The lower the PPG, the easier the schedule.

For example, if FC Dallas traveled to play the LA Galaxy, who have averaged 2.5 PPG at home, and then hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps, who have averaged 1.53 PPG on the road, their opponents' PPG would be 2.02. The higher the PPG, the more difficult a team's remaining schedule.

The Expected Points metric is strictly based off of what teams have done up to this point. For example, New York City FC have collected 1.54 points per game at home this season and 1.62 on the road. So if they continue averaging those totals, with five more home games left and four more road games, they should be expected to hit 53.62 points.

Here are both the Strength of Schedule and Expected Points rankings for each conference: