D.C. United (15-9-6, 51 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/3 vs. Sporting Kansas City (buy tickets), 10/12 at Houston, 10/18 vs. Chicago (buy tickets), 10/25 at Montreal)
Max points possible: 63
Outlook: United has a six-point cushion at the top of the Eastern Conference and a chance to earn a playoff berth this weekend when it hosts a KC side struggling to find its groove.
How we'll clinch:
- With a win or a tie, the Black-and-Red is in.
If D.C. loses on Friday one of the below scenarios would also earn a berth for DCU:
- A tie between New York and Houston
- A Toronto FC loss to or tie with the LA Galaxy
New England Revolution (14-13-3, 45 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/4 vs. Columbus, 10/11 at Montreal, 10/16 at Houston, 10/15 vs. Toronto)
Max points possible: 57
Outlook: In dramatic fashion, the New England Revolution beat Sporting Kansas City at Sporting Park in a 3-2 with an 85th minute game-winning goal from Jermaine Jones. That victory pushed the Revs passed Sporting in wins, though they remain tied in points, with 45. Next up for NER is the Columbus Crew, who, like the Revs, have moved up one seed, surpassing New York to claim fourth place this week.
Sporting Kansas City (13-11-6, 45 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/3 at D.C. United, 10/10 vs. Chicago Fire, 10/18 at Philadelphia, 10/26 vs. New York Red)
Max points possible: 57
Outlook: With momentum beginning to build in the wrong direction for Sporting Kansas City, the reigning MLS Cup Champions dropped three points at home against the New England Revolution and are currently tied for second with the Revs. First place D.C. United is Kansas City’s next test this Friday, with a playoff berth possible for the home side and playoff positioning on the line, it’s sure to be a classic Eastern Conference showdown.
Columbus Crew (11-9-10, 43 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/4 at New England, 10/11 at Philadelphia, 10/19 at New York, 10/26 vs. Philadelphia)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: Unbeaten in four games, the Crew gain one spot in the Eastern Conference, surpassing the New York Red Bulls, claiming fourth. Columbus heads into Gillette Stadium this weekend to face a red-hot New England side, which has lost only one game in their last eight.
New York Red Bulls (10-9-11, 41 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/4 vs. Houston, 10/11 vs. Toronto, 10/19 vs. Columbus, 10/26 Kansas City)
Max points possible: 53
Outlook: A 4-0 loss to the LA Galaxy allowed the Columbus Crew to slide ahead of the New York Red Bulls, who currently sit just above the red line in 5th place and only one point ahead of Toronto FC. With Houston coming to Red Bull Arena, New York has another tough test as the Dynamo have begun their trademark late-season push for playoffs.
Toronto FC (11-11-7, 40 points)
Games remaining: 5 (10/4 at Los Angeles, 10/8 vs. Houston, 10/11 at New York, 10/18 vs. Montreal, 10/25 at New England)
Max points possible: 55
Outlook: TFC’s surge has begun. With a dramatic 3-2 win over Portland, Toronto FC is within one point of the New York Red Bulls in 6th place. With a tough schedule ahead, including LA, New York and New England, Toronto’s 3-game unbeaten streak is very timely.
Philadelphia Union (9-10-11, 38 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/2 vs. Chicago, 10/11 vs. Columbus, 10/18 vs. Kansas City, 10/26 at Columbus)
Max points possible: 52
Outlook: A loss at RFK Stadium dropped the Union into 7th place in the East. Only two points behind TFC, though, the Union host a struggling Chicago side next. TFC has LA this weekend, so the Union could be primed to reclaim its spot just below the red line with three games to go.
Houston Dynamo (10-13-6, 36 points)
Games remaining: 5 (10/4 at New York, 10/8 at Toronto, 10/12 vs. D.C. United, 10/16 vs. New England, 10/24 at Chicago Fire)
Max points possible: 51
Outlook: Surging on, Houston has extended its unbeaten streak to five with a 2-0 win over the Chicago Fire. Three of its last five games are on the road, where the Dynamo has struggled for most of the season, but true-to- form, Houston is rallying late for a playoff push.
Chicago Fire (5-8-16, 31 points)
Games remaining: 5 (10/2 at Philadelphia, 10/5 vs. Montreal, 10/10 at Kansas City, 10/18 at D.C. United, 10/24 vs. Houston)
Max points possible: 46
Outlook: A 2-0 loss to Houston keeps the Fire in 8th place with a visit from the Union up next. The Fire must find its groove against Philly and carry it through the last five matches against tough opponents to have hopes of playoff contention.
Montreal Impact (6-18-6, 24 points)
Games remaining: 4 (10/5 at Chicago, 10/11 vs. New England, 10/18 at Toronto, 20/15 vs. D.C. United)
Max points possible: 36
Outlook: Statistically eliminated from playoffs.
