Seven months into the regular season, and the final stretch is now in sight. With five matches for many teams around the league, the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are within reach for the majority. In the Eastern Conference, only seven points separate five teams hovering around the Red Line.
For United, it is simple. Keep winning and you're in. Two matchups with Orlando City SC, with whom the Black-and-Red are currently tied on points after the same number of matches, represent golden opportunities to pull ahead of their Floridian opponents.
On Wednesday, Sept. 28, United host another home match against cellar-dwellers Columbus Crew SC and will look to earn all three points in their second-to-last game at RFK this season. The Black-and-Red, who have lost only once in their last nine outings and haven't been shut out in over two months, will need to continue their goalscoring form in order to keep pace for the postseason.
Key Matchups on the Red Line:
- 9/24 Montreal v NYRB 7pm ET
- 9/25 Columbus v. New England 7pm ET on FS1
In the rest of the East, Toronto, NYCFC and the New York Red Bulls are all close to a playoff berth. United play Toronto in Canada on Oct. 1 and host New York City FC in their final home match of the season on Oct. 16.
Toronto FC will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- Toronto FC win v. Philadelphia Union on Saturday
OR
- New England Revolution tie or lose v. Columbus Crew SC on Saturday
OR
- Orlando City SC win or tie v. D.C. United on Saturday
OR
- New York Red Bulls win v. Montréal Impact on Saturday
New York City FC will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- New York City FC win v. Chicago Fire on Friday
AND EITHER
- New England Revolution tie or lose v. Columbus Crew SC on Saturday OR
- Orlando City SC and D.C. United tie on Saturday OR
- New York Red Bulls win v. Montréal Impact on Saturday
New York Red Bulls will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs IF
- New York Red Bulls win v. Montréal Impact on Saturday
Out in the West, only Supporters' Shield frontrunners FC Dallas have clinched a position in the playoffs, but LA Galaxy are within one victory of clinching their own spot (if they defeat Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, they're in).
