Week 30: Playoff Picture Review

Every week for the rest of the year, we'll be reviewing the playoff picture and the New York Red Bulls' place in the race for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Current Standings:

Results That Affected NY:

• Montreal Impact 0-3 Vancouver Whitecaps
  
  • With Montreal losing, they're now six points behind New York. This means that their 2 games in hand is almost meaningless, depending on how the two play down the stretch.
• Toronto FC 1-2 Sporting Kansas City
  • Sporting KC keep pace with NY with this win. They still have 1 game in hand on NY, so it's possible we could see SKC draw even on points.
• Columbus Crew 3-0 Chicago Fire
  • This result drops Chicago away from NY, and helps with a possible clinch this week.

Teams Eliminated This Week: None

Points Needed to Clinch Playoff Spot: 52-55, Philadelphia & Columbus maxes out at 54 points, so depends on results.

Can New York Clinch a Playoff Spot This Week? Yes

How:

• If Chicago & Philadelphia both lose: New York can clinch with a draw at Seattle.
• If Chicago & Philadelphia both draw: New York can clinch with a win at Seattle.

New York's Matches This Week:

• New York at Seattle Sounders

Other Matches to Watch This Week:

• September 27:
  • Sporting Kansas City vs Philadelphia Union
    • From a perspective of New York clinching a playoff spot, Philadelphia losing would be the best result. A Philly win or draw would also be helpful as it'll stop Sporting Kansas City from gaining ground.
• September 27:
  • New England Revolution vs Houston Dynamo
    • This match won't affect New York's chances at the playoffs, but the match is interesting from a positioning point of view.
  • Chicago Fire vs Montreal Impact
    • Like the Sporting KC-Philly match, a Fire loss is the best for clinching a playoff spot. A Chicago win or draw would be helpful for positioning.