The new MLS week is already here with some games in the midweek before another busy weekend. FC Dallas will be at home this week against Colorado, in another true six-pointer.
We’re still rocking the same set of clubs in our weekly playoff watch. But I have a feeling things will finally shift after this weekend is over, mostly on the bottom end of things.
Portland Timbers - 42 points (6th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 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: 2-1 win vs New York
Notes: The Timbers moved back into 6th place last weekend with a win at home over New York. That schedule is still a tad tricky for them with a game in Houston coming up (a place they've struggled at historically), followed by a double-game week with Vancouver and FCD. No real layups here.
What FCD needs this weekend: We'd prefer the Dynamo to lose again.
Austin FC - 41 points (7th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 9/21 vs. Seattle, 9/27 @ RSL, 10/4 vs. St. Louis, 10/12 vs. LAFC, 10/18 @ San Jose
Last week’s result: 2-0 loss at Dallas
Notes: After a couple of solid wins in a row, FC Dallas brought Austin back down to Earth last weekend. They get Seattle at home this weekend, who are coming off a Tuesday night loss in Miami. I think Nico Estevez's club still has the ability to get into the playoffs, but my gut tells me they'll potentially slip back into a Wild Card spot before long if they play like they did in Dallas.
What FCD needs this weekend: Pick up another L, please.
Colorado Rapids - 39 points (8th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 4): 9/20 at Dallas, 9/27 vs. Minnesota, 10/4 at RSL, 10/18 vs. LAFC
Last week’s result: 2-1 win vs Houston
Notes: I've said for the last couple of weeks that I thought the Rapids were cooked and then they go out and get a stoppage-time own goal from the Dynamo to pick up three points. I mean, come on. What a gift. Their schedule is still pretty tricky from here on out, so draws don't really help move the needle away from the Wild Card spot.
What FCD needs this weekend: A loss, by FCD. Thank you.
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San Jose Earthquakes - 35 points (9th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 4): 9/20 vs. St. Louis, 9/27 at San Diego, 10/5 at Vancouver, 10/18 vs. Austin
Last week’s result: 4-2 loss vs LAFC
Notes: San Jose is reeling right now after another loss at home. With four games to go, they cannot afford to slip up any more. Coming up this weekend at home is St. Louis, the only team on their remaining schedule that isn't in the playoff race.
What FCD needs this weekend: Ideally, another loss would be great.
Real Salt Lake - 34 points (10th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 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: 2-1 win vs SKC
Notes: The games in hand are starting to come in handy for RSL here after they picked up a much-needed win over SKC last weekend. The back-to-back games with LAFC this week are going to be the decider for me. Picking up two wins could easily give them the foot forward in the playoff race.
What FCD needs this weekend: FCD needs back-to-back losses here.
FC Dallas - 34 points (11th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 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: 2-0 win vs Austin
Notes: The game is trending in the right direction for FC Dallas. With Colorado coming into town this weekend, it is a true six-pointer for Eric Quill's club. They have to get another win here to inch themselves closer to that playoff line.
What FCD needs this weekend: Win, baby, win.
Houston Dynamo FC - 32 points (10th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 4): 9/20 vs. Portland, 9/27 at Nashville, 10/4 vs. San Diego, 10/18 at Kansas City
Last week’s result: 2-1 loss vs Colorado
Notes: The Dynamo are hanging on by a thread right now in the playoff race. Their next three games are truly make or break. Thankfully for them, Portland comes to town this weekend and the Timbers have been pretty bad historically in the state of Texas. That could be a lifeline the Dynamo need desperately in this race. But, after last week's disappointing result in Colorado, I think they're nearly done.
What FCD needs this weekend: Another loss would be fantastic.
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Sporting Kansas City - 27 points (13th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 4): 9/20 vs Vancouver, 9/27 at LA Galaxy, 10/4 at Minnesota, 10/18 vs Houston
Last week’s result: 2-1 loss vs RSL
Notes: Again, SKC isn't technically 'out' yet (neither are St. Louis or the LA Galaxy below them), but with four games left, they're weirdly closer to the Wooden Spoon now than a playoff spot. I have to think Vancouver will be the game that knocks SKC off this list for next week.
What FCD needs this weekend: Just lose and be done with it already.
