Whenever you get to this point in the season, the one thing you probably have a constant eye on as a fan is the ‘magic number.’ In other sports, the magic number is determined by how many points or wins it will take for a team to clinch a playoff spot.
The same is sort of true in Major League Soccer. Wins equal points, points add up, and eventually, you can figure out how many you need to clinch a playoff spot.
It turns out that we finally have some ‘numbers’ for FC Dallas going into this weekend’s game against the San Jose Earthquakes.
From MLS:
FC Dallas clinches Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs berth with:
- FC Dallas WIN vs. San Jose Earthquakes AND Sporting Kansas City LOSS/DRAW at Real Salt Lake AND Minnesota United FC DRAW vs. LA Galaxy
Yeah, so if you are looking for other games to root on this weekend, you have two additional ones to care about. Two draws or a SKC loss and a draw with LA and Minnesota, and boom, we’re in.
Simple, right?
Real Salt Lake has lost only one of its last ten regular-season home games against Sporting Kansas City (W7 D2) dating back to 2015. So that one feels like it could be in the bag a bit. The loss for SKC and a win by FC Dallas would eliminate Peter Vermes’ side from playoff contention, which always feels fun to type.
Minnesota is the trickier one in my book since they outed their only manager in team history1. The Galaxy have lost only two of 13 all-time meetings with Minnesota United (W7 D4), including coming from 3-1 down to win 4-3 a couple of weeks ago. LA hasn't won either of its last two visits to Minnesota, however, after winning four of their first five in Minnesota (D1). But the Loons also have one of the worst home records in MLS (3W-4L-9D).
So yeah, those two games will be fun to keep an eye on tomorrow night.
Other fun games to keep an eye on that could impact things. If FC Dallas wins or draws tomorrow night and Austin FC loses to LAFC, Austin FC will be eliminated from playoff contention.
MLS history. I know there have been other Minnesota teams in other leagues before. ↩
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