What We Want to Happen Today 10/26 and 10/27

Another midweek of matches around MLS kick off tonight with the Seattle Sounders visiting Los Angeles FC. For Sporting Kansas City, their own path tomorrow against the LA Galaxy is simply, win or tie and they clinch a top three seed in the Western Conference and guarantee themselves at least one home game. They can also clinch a top four seed with a loss if the Portland Timbers fail to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes. Here’s a look at today’s and tomorrow’s MLS action and what KC want to happen in those games.

Seattle at LAFC

What we want to happen: LAFC win

This result would allow Sporting to go level on points with the Seattle Sounders if they defeat the LA Galaxy on Wednesday while still having a game in hand on the Sounders.

Colorado at New England

What we want to happen: New England win

The Colorado Rapids are level on points with Kansas City, though Sporting has a game in hand still. A win by the New England Revolution combined with a win by KC would see KC go three points clear of the Rapids. It would also mean that if KC can also win their game in hand they would have 61 points and 18 wins on the season. That would clinch a top two see because while the Rapids would be able to catch KC on points, their max win total would be 17 giving Sporting the tie breaker.

Miami at Atlanta

What we want to happen: does not matter

Both teams are still battling for a playoff spot in the East, but neither team can catch KC’s point total. We’re at the point of the year where you can make arguments for which team you would rather face in a hypothetical playoff match up, and if you’re wanting to go that route I’d rather face Inter Miami than Atlanta United.

Nashville at Cincinnati

What we want to happen: Cincinnati win

Nashville SC is one of only three teams in the East currently below Sporting that can still finish ahead of them and host an MLS Cup between the two. Nashville sit six points behind KC currently. A loss by Nashville here would mean that while they could still catch KC on points they’d lose out on the wins tie breaker.

Orlando at Columbus

What we want to happen: Columbus win

Orlando City is the second of three teams in the East below Sporting that could still finish ahead of them. Orlando sits eight points behind Kansas City, meaning even a draw against the Columbus Crew will end their chances of catching Kansas City.

New York at DC

What we want to happen: does not matter

Neither team can catch Kansas City on points. Again if you want to look at a hypothetical playoff match up against one of the two teams, the New York Red Bulls are in much better form at the moment than DC United.

Chicago at NYCFC

What we want to happen: does not matter

The Chicago Fire are eliminated from the playoffs while New York City FC can’t catch KC’s point total. If you have worries about a potential playoff match up against NYCFC you can hope the Fire pick up the win.

Philadelphia at Toronto

What we want to happen: Toronto win

The third team in the East that can still surpass KC’s point total is the Philadelphia Union, who sit on 49 points, six behind KC. A loss by Philadelphia would make their max point total KC’s current mark of 55 with 13 wins. So even if KC were to lose to the Galaxy and stay on 55 points, the Union wouldn’t be able to win the tie breaker for most wins.

Salt Lake at Dallas

What we want to happen: depends

This one can also be classified as a does not matter, but since it’s the Western Conference your choice on what KC want to happen will be a personal one. Real Salt Lake currently sit outside the playoffs in 8th place, two points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. If you’re one that would like to see KC take on RSL in the playoffs you might cheer for them to pick up the win here and potentially climb back into playoff positioning. If your dislike for RSL is that strong you may want them to lose and miss qualification for the playoffs.

San Jose at Portland

What we want to happen: San Jose win

Any points dropped by the Portland Timbers the rest of the way eliminates them from being able to catch Kansas City and clinches a top four seed. So a simple choice here rooting for the San Jose Earthquakes who also need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

Minnesota at Vancouver

What we want to happen: depends

Another playoff situation where who you want to cheer for depends on who you’d rather see KC face in the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, Sporting would be hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps. So your choice here is all about who you would rather face in the playoffs as you do the math between Vancouver, LAFC, RSL, San Jose, and Minnesota United.