The calendar has flipped to September, and with that the MLS Cup Playoff race will only continue to heat up.
While most of the league is off this week for the FIFA break, there are still a few games going on that will impact the race for FC Dallas. Let’s dive into the schedules and see where things stand ahead of this weekend’s action.
Portland Timbers - 39 points (6th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 9/13 vs. NYRB, 9/20 at Houston, 9/24 at Vancouver, 9/27 vs. Dallas, 10/4 at Seattle, 10/18 vs. San Diego
Last week’s result: 1-1 draw vs Minnesota
Notes: They have a nice gap between themselves and FC Dallas right now, but they have to figure out ways to pick up more wins here. I still find their schedule to be really weird for the final few weeks of the season, too.
What FCD needs this weekend: Like most on this list, they’re off this weekend.
Austin FC - 38 points (7th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/7 @ SKC, 9/13 @ Dallas, 9/21 vs. Seattle, 9/27 @ RSL, 10/4 vs. St. Louis, 10/12 vs. LAFC, 10/18 @ San Jose
Last week’s result: 3-1 win vs San Jose
Notes: Austin bounced back from their dismal effort in Canada with a beating of San Jose. Their form continues to give me a headache, but we’re familiar with Nico Estevez clubs and how they go back and forth on good and bad form. They have a ton of six-pointers left here with this schedule, on the road against a desperate SKC team this weekend should be interesting.
What FCD needs this weekend: Uh…I guess a draw. We don’t want too much space between us and them to build but at the same time we don’t want SKC to get any closer.
Colorado Rapids - 36 points (8th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 9/13 vs. Houston, 9/20 at Dallas, 9/27 vs. Minnesota, 10/4 at RSL, 10/18 vs. LAFC
Last week’s result: 4-2 loss at SKC
Notes: I still think the Rapids are cooked. Two straight bad losses. They get a weekend off to sort out things before getting a Texas double in the coming weeks.
What FCD needs this weekend: Like most on this list, they’re off this weekend.
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San Jose Earthquakes - 35 points (9th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 9/13 vs. LAFC, 9/20 vs. St. Louis, 9/27 at San Diego, 10/5 at Vancouver, 10/18 vs. Austin
Last week’s result: 3-1 loss at Austin
Notes: The window is starting to close on San Jose. They’re 9th place but the lack of games in hand right now is going to really hurt them before long. The schedule is also going to get to them as well with games at Vancouver and San Diego coming up.
What FCD needs this weekend: Like most on this list, they’re off this weekend.
Houston Dynamo FC - 32 points (10th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 9/6 vs. LA Galaxy, 9/13 at Colorado, 9/20 vs. Portland, 9/27 at Nashville, 10/4 vs. San Diego, 10/18 at Kansas City
Last week’s result: 3-2 win at St. Louis
Notes: The Dynamo nearly squandered a three goal lead in St. Louis last weekend. They get a LA Galaxy team that is mostly eliminated from playoff contention but has a new lease on things following their third place finish in the Leagues Cup. Let’s hope LA plays spoiler here.
What FCD needs this weekend: Pick up another L, please.
Real Salt Lake - 31 points (10th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/13 vs. Kansas City, 9/17 vs. LAFC, 9/21 at LAFC, 9/27 vs. Austin, 10/4 vs. Colorado, 10/11 at Seattle, 10/18 at St. Louis
Last week’s result: Bye week
Notes: Like FC Dallas, they were off last weekend. And they’re off again this week. Maybe the extra rest will be an underrated thing for Pablo Mastroni’s club. Or maybe it won’t matter. In this case, I am hopeful it doesn’t matter.
What FCD needs this weekend: Like most on this list, they’re off this weekend.
FC Dallas - 30 points (12th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/6 at St. Louis, 9/13 vs. Austin, 9/20 vs. Colorado, 9/27 at Portland, 10/4 vs. Galaxy, 10/11 at LA Galaxy, 10/18 at Vancouver
Last week’s result: Bye week
Notes: We’ve talked about gauntlets this season on the schedule, but this is the final one of the year. Seven big games that will determine their playoff fate. They need four wins here. Getting off to a good start in St. Louis this weekend will go a long way, but a stumble will mean we’re likely going to be looking at an early offseason again.
What FCD needs this weekend: Win, baby, win.
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Sporting Kansas City - 27 points (13th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 7): 9/7 vs. Austin, 9/13 at RSL, 9/20 vs Vancouver, 9/27 at LA Galaxy, 10/4 at Minnesota, 10/18 vs Houston
Last week’s result: 4-2 win vs Colorado
Notes: Some how, SKC continues to stay alive here for another week. If they can pick up another win some how this weekend, they could end up level with FC Dallas. We definitely do not want to see that.
What FCD needs this weekend: I discussed it above, a draw…I guess.
Quick Recap: There are only a couple of league games this weekend due to the international break. FC Dallas has to start taking care of business on their side of things and hope some bounces go their way across the league. It really is as simple as that.
