The September international break signals that the final push for the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs is upon us.
With only one MLS team mathematically out of the playoff picture, and with teams in both conferences nestled close to the red line separating sixth from seventh, the post-season landscape is far from settled. In other words, plenty of teams still have hope.
But how will it shake out? We asked Senior Host & Producer Andrew Wiebe, former MLS player Bobby Warshaw, New Media Editor Benjamin Baer, National Writer Sam Stejskal, and contributors Charles Boehm, Tom Bogert, Alicia Rodriguez, and Phil West to give their end-of-race predictions.
Who will finish in the top six in each conference?
| Ben Baer | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Charles Boehm | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Tom Bogert | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Alicia Rodriguez | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Sam Stejskal | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Phil West | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Andrew Wiebe | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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| Bobby Warshaw | |
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| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
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+ I think it matters more to Atlanta, since Red Bulls have already won Supporters' Shield in their history but have always come up short in the playoffs.
++ I'm so tempted to put Toronto here but every time I've put faith in them, they've fallen flat again.
* They have by far the easiest schedule remaining.
* I'm tempted to put them higher than fourth since they have a soft schedule left, but I'm not sure who they pass.
** I've been saying it would be the Galaxy, but looking at their schedules, RSL is six points up and still has Minnesota & New England at home, meaning the Galaxy need to win at least four of their six remaining games, including one of at Toronto, at SKC, and home to Seattle.
