Week 31 saw five teams clinch playoff berths in addition to the three that had already booked their ticket to the postseason. And after Toronto FC failed to defeat Montreal on Saturday afternoon, only one spot remains up for grabs after the Columbus Crew booked their place without taking the field.
In the West, the battle for the final spot will come down to two Cascadia teams, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Portland Timbers, but not until the final weekend of the season. Portland's 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake on Friday night means that even if Vancouver win at San Jose on Saturday evening, the Timbers could draw level on points if they top Dallas and the Whitecaps fall to Colorado. In that case the two teams would also be level on the first tiebreaker, total wins, and would have to be separated by goal differential, then goals scored if they are still tied.
And though the Seattle Sounders have handily clinched a playoff berth, they can go one step further and secure the Supporters' Shield and an inside track to hosting MLS Cup should they defeat the LA Galaxy at StubHub Center on Sunday in the first leg of a home-and-home series to finish the season. Though LA would still be able to catch them on points in the final match of the season, Seattle would have more total wins, the first tiebreaker in the standings.
Seattle Sounders FC will win the Supporters’ Shield IF
- Seattle Sounders FC win vs. LA Galaxy on Sunday
Seattle Sounders FC have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
LA Galaxy have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Real Salt Lake have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
FC Dallas have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
D.C. United have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs and first place in the Eastern Conference
New England Revolution have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Sporting Kansas City have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
New York Red Bulls have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Columbus Crew have clinched a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs
Montréal Impact have been eliminated from playoff contention
Chicago Fire have been eliminated from playoff contention
Houston Dynamo have been eliminated from playoff contention
Philadelphia Union have been eliminated from playoff contention
Chivas USA have been eliminated from playoff contention
Colorado Rapids have been eliminated from playoff contention
San Jose Earthquakes have been eliminated from playoff contention
Toronto FC have been eliminated from playoff contention
