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In a rare Monday night game, the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy played to a 1-1 draw. For Sporting KC the result dropped them to second place in the Western Conference, but leave them in a position where they still control their own destiny in the West. Two wins and KC guarantee themselves first place in the West. There are still a handful of games before Decision Day on Sunday, so here’s a look at what KC want to happen in the games today and tomorrow.
Vancouver at LAFC
What we want to happen: depends on your feelings on each team.
At this point this game is a matter of how do you feel about potentially playing either team in the playoffs. The Vancouver Whitecaps are arguably one of the hottest teams in the league right now, though they are extremely poor on the road, going 2-5-9 (W-L-D). Meanwhile Los Angeles FC always seems to just come off as a dangerous team with the likes of Carlos Vela and Cristian Arango on offense. Right now LAFC sit outside the playoffs, three points back of seventh place Vancouver. A loss doesn’t eliminate LAFC, but it puts a lot more pressure on them come the final day of the season.
Houston at Montreal
What we want to happen: does not matter
The Houston Dynamo are eliminated from playoff qualification, while CF Montreal are still just hanging on in the East. Montreal sit in 10th in the East, three points behind seventh place New York Red Bulls. Even a win for Montreal may not be enough if the Red Bulls beat or tie Atlanta United on Wednesday night as well.
Atlanta at New York
What we want to happen: does not matter
You can argue that this game could matter if you have a preference on a potential MLS Cup match up, but overall this game doesn’t matter to KC. Neither the New York Red Bulls or Atlanta United can catch KC on points and both teams are fighting to hold onto a playoff spot in the East.
Portland at Salt Lake
What we want to happen: depends on your feelings on each team.
As with the other Western Conference match up on Wednesday, this game is all about potential playoff opponents. Real Salt Lake currently sit outside the playoffs in eighth place on 45 points while the Portland Timbers currently occupy the last home playoff game spot for the first round in fourth place. Portland is only one point clear of fifth place Minnesota United though. A win would clinch a top four spot depending on how tonight’s game between Vancouver and LAFC goes. No matter the result of this game, Salt Lake will come into KC on the final day of the season still alive in the race to make the playoffs, though qualifying may not be fully in their hands if they don’t win this game.