MLS Cup Playoff scenarios: Six teams could join the New York Red Bulls in the postseason this week

Vancouver's Camilo and Gershon Koffie

Time is running out on the 2013 regular season, and yet just one club has clinched a playoff spot. That would be the New York Red Bulls, and they could have plenty of company after this week, as six teams are looking to punch their postseason ticket.


The Houston Dynamo, Seattle Sounders, Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake all enter the week with a shot of clinching, while the Columbus Crew, Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas are in danger of being eliminated from playoff contention.


D.C. United, Toronto FC and Chivas USA have already been eliminated from postseason contention.



Sporting Kansas City will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Sporting Kansas City win vs. Houston Dynamo on Wednesday OR
  • Chicago Fire tie or lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday OR
  • Philadelphia Union lose vs. D.C. United on Saturday


Houston Dynamo will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Houston Dynamo win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday AND
  • New England Revolution tie or lose vs. Montréal Impact on Saturday AND
  • Chicago Fire lose vs. FC Dallas on Saturday


Columbus Crew will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

  • Houston Dynamo win or tie vs. Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday AND
  • Montréal Impact win vs. New England Revolution on Saturday AND
  • Philadelphia Union win vs. D.C. United on Saturday


OR

  • Columbus Crew lose vs. New England Revolution on Oct. 19


OR

  • Columbus Crew tie vs. New England Revolution on Oct. 19 AND
  • Philadelphia Union win or tie vs. D.C. United on Saturday OR
  • Chicago Fire win vs. FC Dallas on Saturday


Seattle Sounders FC will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Seattle Sounders FC win vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday


OR

  • Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday


OR

  • Seattle Sounders FC win vs. Portland Timbers on Sunday


Real Salt Lake will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday


Colorado Rapids will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Colorado Rapids win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday AND
  • Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday


Portland Timbers will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF

  • Portland Timbers win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday AND
  • Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday


OR

  • Portland Timbers tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday AND
  • Colorado Rapids win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday AND
  • Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Wednesday


Vancouver Whitecaps FC will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

  • Vancouver Whitecaps FC lose vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday AND
  • Colorado Rapids win or tie vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday


FC Dallas will be eliminated from playoff contention IF

  • FC Dallas lose or tie vs. Chicago Fire on Saturday