We all know yesterday's loss was a big blow to United's playoff hopes. The difference now from Saturday is that the team no longer controls its own destiny. D.C. has to win and hope a few key results go its way the last weeks of the regular season. The amazing thing about this year's campaign is how close
the standings
are, top to bottom (well, almost the bottom - sorry NYRB). Though United can no longer catch Columbus for the first spot in the Eastern Conference, the second place Fire (with 41 points) are very much within striking distance.
Saturday's game versus Chivas USA is huge, as the Western Conference squad is currently holding on to one of the four wildcard spots.
In the detailed team-by-team playoff picture below I've added a "maximum points" notation for each club. In other words, where each team would be if they were to win their remaining games.
It's a lot of numbers, but examine them closely - the entire League is in for a wild ride and anything can happen.
Team
points (record) points per game
(Remaining League games)
Maximum number of points
Eastern Conference – automatic berths
Columbus
46 points (12-4-10) 1.77 ppg
(v. SEA, @ NE, @ DC, v. NE)
Maximum number of points: 58
Chicago
41 points (10-6-11)
1.52 ppg
(@ LA, @ NE, v. CHV)
Maximum number of points: 50
Western Conference – automatic berths
Houston
43 points (12-8-7) 1.59 ppg
(v. KC, v. LA, @ CHV)
Maximum number of points: 52
Los Angeles
41
points (10-6-11) 1.52 ppg
(v. CHI, @ HOU, v. SJ)
Maximum number of points: 50
Wildcard berths
Colorado
39 points
(10-8-9) 1.44 ppg
(v. NE, @ FCD, @ RSL)
Maximum number of points: 48
Chivas USA
38
points (11-9-4) 1.52 ppg
(@ DC, v. KC, v. SJ, @ CHI, v. HOU)
Maximum number of points: 53
Seattle
38 points (9-7-11) 1.41 ppg
(@ CLB, @ KC, v. FCD)
Maximum number of points: 47
New England
37
points (10-8-7) 1.48 ppg
(@ FCD, @ COL, v. CLB, v. CHI, @ CLB)
Maximum number of points: 52
Currently out of playoffs
D.C. United
36
points (8-7-12) 1.33 ppg
(v. CHV, v. CLB, @ KC)
Maximum number of points: 45
Toronto
35
points (9-10-8) 1.29 ppg
(v. SJ, v. RSL, @ NY)
Maximum number of points: 44
Real Salt Lake
34 points (9-11-7) 1.26 ppg
(v. NY, @ TFC, v. COL)
Maximum number of points: 43
Kansas City
31 points (8-11-7) 1.19 ppg
(@ HOU, @ CHV, v. SEA, v. DC)
Maximum number of points: 43
Dallas
26 points (8-12-6) 1.15 ppg
(v. NE, @ SJ, v. COL, @ SEA)
Maximum number of points: 38
San Jose
25 points (6-12-7) 1.00 ppg
(v. NY, v. FCD, @ TFC, @ CHV, @ LA)
Maximum number of points: 40
Eliminated from playoffs
New York
18 points (4-17-6) 0.66 ppg
(@ SJ, @ RSL, v. TFC)
Maximum number of points: 27
Current MLS Cup playoff pairings
Eastern
Conference
Columbus vs. Seattle
Chicago vs. New England
Western
Conference
Houston vs. Chivas USA
Los Angeles vs. Colorado
