With one more game remaining in the regular season, the question for D.C. United is not if, but when. After defeating the Chicago Fire 4-0 on Oct. 18, the Black-and-Red (15-12-6, 51 points) secured a home playoff game for the second consecutive season. But with so many teams still battling for playoff seeding, there is no time to sit back.
“I think the energy and the focus from the group, and the attitude that we have right now, is a good one,” D.C. United Head Coach Ben Olsen said following his team’s third win of the season over the Fire. “I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
The victory was two weeks after United claimed their place in the playoffs in trademark style on Oct. 2, grabbing their league-leading eighth comeback victory in defeating New York City FC 2-1. United’s thrashing of the Fire was another building block. The win clinched at least one home playoff game (albeit an undetermined date), and set the stage for a climactic regular season showdown at Columbus Crew SC. That match will be featured on FOX Sports 1 as the entire Eastern Conference kicks off simultaneously for MLS Decision Day.
If D.C. United win, they will earn the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference for the playoffs and avoid a midweek Knockout Round match, earning a full week of rest before the Conference Semifinals begin on Nov. 1. If the Black-and-Red tie Columbus, they’ll still finish second if Toronto loses or ties at Montreal. If United lose, they’ll take third or fourth and will have to host a Knockout Round match at RFK Stadium on Oct. 28 or 29.
With so much at stake, the game is essentially an early round playoff match.
“It’s huge,” United midfielder Chris Pontius said. “Columbus is a very good team, and they moved the ball very well against us last time. They spread you out, and they get in good spots. It’s a huge game for us. They’re a good team, their system just allows guys to plug in, and they all know their roles. It’s a crucial game for us, but we did our job [vs. Chicago] and put ourselves in a good position.”
Here’s how the rest of the Eastern Conference looks ahead of Decision Day, with all games kicking off at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25:
D.C. United at Columbus Crew SC
New York Red Bulls at Chicago Fire
Toronto FC at Montreal Impact
New England at New York City FC
Orlando City at Philadelphia
New York Red Bulls
(17-10-6, 57 points)
Maximum points possible: 60
Outlook: With the top seed in the East secure, the Red Bulls have their sights set on capturing their second Supporters’ Shield in three years.
D.C. United
(15-12-6, 51 points)
Maximum points possible: 54
Columbus
(14-11-8, 50 points)
Max points: 53
Outlook: The Crew stopped a two-game slide with a victory at Toronto, but they’ll be without key offensive playmakers Kei Kamara (22 goals, 8 assists) and Federico Higuaín (8 goals, 9 assists), who are both suspended due to yellow card accumulation for Sunday’s finale against D.C. United. They’ll take the No. 2 seed with a win, but could drop to fifth with a loss and New England Revolution victory.
Toronto FC (15-14-4, 49 points)
Max points: 52
Outlook: Sebastian Giovinco (22 goals, 15 assists) almost certainly locked up MLS MVP by leading Toronto to its first-ever playoff appearance after nine years in the league. To ensure a home game in the playoffs, they’ll have to go on the road for the first time in more than a month and get at least a draw against their Canadian foes in Montreal.
Montreal Impact (14-13-6, 48 points)
Max points: 51
Outlook: Having Didier Drogba (9 goals) certainly helps with a back loaded schedule, but the Impact will start the playoffs in the Knockout Round; they can finish no higher than third.
New England Revolution (13-12-8, 47 points, -1 goal differential)
Max points: 50
Outlook: The Revs have one foot in the postseason, but without a victory over New York City FC, they’re looking at the lowest playoff seed. If they lose at Yankee Stadium, they’ve got an overwhelming goal-differential advantage that should keep Orlando City at bay.
Orlando City (12-13-8, 44 points, -9 goal differential)
Max points: 47
Outlook: The Lions have won five games in a row, and yet it will take an otherworldly miracle to reach the postseason. But such is life for expansion teams in Major League Soccer; just ask Toronto, Philadelphia, Vancouver and Portland.
