Red Line Report: Can DC United, Seattle move away from their competition?

After a busy Wednesday night that saw the Seattle Sounders move above the red line, MLS is back in action this weekend with many crucial games.

D.C. United head up to Toronto (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE in US | TSN2 in Canada) to face a TFC side who are currently holding on to the No. 1 seed in the East, while United could clinch a playoff berth with a win.

Sporting Kansas City and the New England Revolution meet at Gillette Stadium (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE) in a game that both teams need, while FC Dallas could get closer to clinching the Supporters' Shield with a win against the LA Galaxy (9 pm ET; MLS LIVE).

If the regular season ended today ...

Eastern Conference Playoff Bracket

Conference Semifinals

1. Toronto FC

Conference Semifinals

2. New York Red Bulls

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Knockout Round

3. New York City FC

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. LA Galaxy

VS.

6. Seattle Sounders

Knockout Round

4. Real Salt Lake

VS.

5. Sporting Kansas City

Strength of Schedule and Expected Points

The strength of schedule metric takes into account the average points per game (PPG) that each team's opponents 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 Expected Points metric is strictly based off of what teams have done up to this point. For example, New York City FC have collected 1.69 points per game at home this season and 1.40 on the road. So if they continue averaging those totals, with five more home games left and four more road games, they would be expected to collect 52.49 points.

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