Following last weekend's matches, three Eastern Conference teams have clinched spots in the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs: Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC. United currently sit in the sixth and final spot in the Eastern Conference after their big 4-1 win over Orlando City SC on Saturday, but aren't assured a spot yet. If they keep winning, however, United will earn a playoff spot for the third consecutive season and fourth in last five years.
"Doing math at this point is silly," head coach Ben Olsen said. "We are going to get as many points each weekend as we can."
Eastern Conference
| Points | Overall | Home | Away | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| # | Club | PTS | PPG | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | W-L-T | W-L-T | |||
| 1 | x - New York Red Bulls | 48 | 1.55 | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 53 | 40 | 13 | 11-2-2 | 2-7-7 | |||
| 2 | x - Toronto FC | 48 | 1.6 | 30 | 13 | 8 | 9 | 45 | 33 | 12 | 7-2-5 | 6-6-4 | |||
| 3 | x - New York City FC | 48 | 1.55 | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 55 | 53 | 2 | 7-3-6 | 6-6-3 | |||
| 4 | Philadelphia Union | 42 | 1.35 | 31 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 50 | 48 | 2 | 8-3-4 | 3-8-5 | |||
| 5 | Montreal Impact | 38 | 1.27 | 30 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 43 | 47 | -4 | 6-5-4 | 3-5-7 | |||
| 6 | D.C. United | 37 | 1.23 | 30 | 8 | 9 | 13 | 43 | 41 | 2 | 7-4-4 | 1-5-9 | |||
| 7 | New England Revolution | 36 | 1.16 | 31 | 9 | 13 | 9 | 37 | 51 | -14 | 7-4-4 | 2-9-5 | |||
| 8 | Orlando City SC | 34 | 1.13 | 30 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 49 | 57 | -8 | 5-3-7 | 2-7-6 | |||
| 9 | Columbus Crew SC | 32 | 1.1 | 29 | 7 | 11 | 11 | 42 | 46 | -4 | 5-3-8 | 2-8-3 | |||
| 10 | Chicago Fire | 27 | 0.93 | 29 | 6 | 14 | 9 | 36 | 48 | -12 | 5-3-7 | 1-11-2 | |||
Defeating Columbus Crew SC on Wednesday night at RFK would give the Black-and-Red 40 points with only three matches remaining and eight points clear of Crew SC. Orlando, who desperately need a win to keep pace with United and New England, play Toronto FC in Canada Wednesday. Ahead of Wednesday, four points separate four teams (places fifth through eighth). After the midweek matches, United, Orlando, Montreal and New England will all have played 31 matches and have three games remaining.
After Columbus, United travel to Toronto, host New York City FC and play Orlando City in Florida. Toronto, who are hopeful of Sebastian Giovinco returning by Saturday, will need their Italian star in the fight to earn one of the top two seeds and a first-round bye, as will NYCFC with Andrea Pirlo.
United's mantra stays the same: win and you're in. "I think out of the teams looking for the [playoffs], we’re in a good position where we control our fate," midfielder Lamar Neagle said.
