While FC Dallas played through the FIFA break last week, the rest of the league will return to action this weekend as teams continue their playoff pushes here as we move deeper into September.
We’re still at a point where we haven’t been able to remove a team at the top or bottom of our weekly list. But, it does feel like we’re getting closer to chopping this weekly post down a bit.
Austin FC - 41 points (6th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 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: 2-1 win at SKC
Notes: Two straight wins after a bad result in Montreal has Nico Estévez’s team above the playoff line and within a shot of reaching that 4th place finish that would secure a home field advantage in the First Round of the playoffs. Time for FC Dallas to ruin that good feeling this weekend.
What FCD needs this weekend: FCD and Austin square off on Saturday, so this is a big one for the Burn. FCD needs a win, badly.
Portland Timbers - 39 points (7th 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: bye week
Notes: Their schedule is still tricky in different spots, but they control their own destiny in my mind since they are sitting at 39 points and probably only need three more points to feel secure.
What FCD needs this weekend: A draw or loss at home would be a great thing for FCD.
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: bye week
Notes: I’ll say it again until they prove me otherwise, I think the Rapids are cooked here.
What FCD needs this weekend: A draw.
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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: bye week
Notes: At this point, San Jose cannot mess around and get draws. Bruce Arena’s club has to get some results and a big one would be LAFC. Still, I struggle to see how they can pick up more than six points in these final five games.
What FCD needs this weekend: FCD could use a LAFC win here in this one.
Houston Dynamo FC - 32 points (10th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 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: 1-1 draw vs LA
Notes: They keep shooting themselves in the foot with draws (sounds familiar). With five games left, I really don’t see how they get more than five points from this set of games.
What FCD needs this weekend: As much as I would prefer a loss, a draw would be fine.
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: Two straight weeks off for RSL could be a good thing in terms of fresh legs, but it could also be a burden in terms of getting good form back. Their schedule will only get tougher from here on out though with a double against LAFC, a rivalry match with Colorado and a trip to Seattle still left to deal with.
What FCD needs this weekend: SKC will be desperate for points, so a draw would be ideal.
FC Dallas - 31 points (12th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 6): 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: 1-1 draw at St. Louis
Notes: Two straight home games need to be six points for Eric Quill’s club. It really is becoming as simple as that here. Anything less and we can begin talking about 2026.
What FCD needs this weekend: Win, baby, win.
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Sporting Kansas City - 27 points (13th Place)
Schedule (Matches remaining: 5): 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: 2-1 loss vs Austin
Notes: They’re still technically in the race but the loss last weekend at home against Austin almost puts the nail in their coffin. They’re lacking the games in hand against anyone above them, including FCD. This is indeed the make-or-break weekend for them.
What FCD needs this weekend: They need three but a draw would be ideal.
