For FC Dallas, it came down to the group-stage finale this week in the 2016-17 CONCACAF Champions League.
They made the quarterfinals with a 5-2 victory on Thursday, joining already-qualified MLS sides Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls.
Oh, and did we mention that Dallas have pressing matters to consider going into Sunday's Decision Day matches?
Group H Outcome: FC Dallas qualify for knockout
The 5-2 win over Suchitepequez in Guatemala City meant Dallas finished in first place atop Group H and have qualified for the quarterfinals.
Group B Outcome: Portland Timbers eliminated
The Timbers needed to beat Saprissa at Providence Park on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals, and they came up short, tying 1-1, with Saprissa taking the Group B berth to the knockout round.
Quarterfinal seeding at stake
The Whitecaps and Red Bulls already have their tickets punched to next year's knockout round – but this week's group-stage finales will have a big bearing on the quarterfinal seedings, which are determined first by total points from the group stage, then by goal differential.
Vancouver took 12 points from four matches, with a +8 goal differential, and will either be the No. 1 or No. 2 seed. The Red Bulls, with 8 points and a +4 goal differential, cannot be seeded in the top half of the bracket and could fall as low as eighth.
Here's how things would shake out if the group stage ended today:
CCL QF seedings
1. Vancouver Whitecaps* (12 pts, +8 GD, 4 GP)
2. Arabe Unido* (12 pts, +7 GD, 4 GP)
3. Pachuca* (10 pts, +15 GD, 4 GP)
4. Pumas UNAM* (9 pts, +10 GD, 4 GP)
5. Tigres UANL* (9 pts, +6 GD, 4 GP)
6. Deportivo Saprissa* (8 pts, +8 GD, 4 GP)
7. FC Dallas (8 pts, +4 GD, 4 GP)
8. New York Red Bulls (8 pts, +4 GD, 4 GP)
* Team has already qualified for knockout round
