clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Playoff Positioning: Top Seed in Sight

The Portland Timbers now have the inside track to the top seed in the conference. They also have a shot at the Supporter's Shield if the teams in the East falter.

The Western Conference Cup
The Western Conference Cup
Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE

What a crazy week it has been since I last posted. Portland's 2-2 draw against Vancouver in Vancouver is not looking too bad now and inches Portland that much closer to a top three spot in the West but there is still a lot of movement that is possible in the standings.

Remaining Schedule

Colorado Vancouver Dallas LAG Portland Seattle San Jose RSL
Vancouver at Colorado Chicago Montreal Seattle at Portland at LAG at Portland
at Vancouver Colorado Seattle San Jose RSL at FC Dallas FC Dallas Chivas
at San Jose at Seattle at Chivas LAG

Here are the two teams from the East to keep an eye on.

New York Sporting KC
at Houston DC United
Chicago at Philadelphia

Predictions and Results

Vancouver Predicted result Actual Result Dallas Predicted result Actual Result
at San Jose tie tie at Colorado loss loss
at montreal loss Win at New York loss Loss
RSL tie Loss Columbus win Loss
Portland tie Tie at RSL loss Tie
at Seattle loss Win Chicago win
at Colorado loss Seattle tie
Colorado win at San Jose loss
3 Points 4 4 Points -2
LAG Predicted result Actual Result Portland Predicted result Actual Result
At DC united Win Tie At Chivas Win tie
Seattle Tie tie Colorado Win win
at Portland Loss Loss LAG Win Win
Chivas Win Win at Vancouver tie Tie
Montreal Win Seattle tie
San Jose Win RSL tie
at Seattle loss at Chivas Win
6 points -2 5 points -2
Seattle Predicted result Actual Result San Jose Predicted result Actual Result
RSL tie Win Vancouver tie tie
at LAG tie tie at RSL loss Win
New York Win tie at Chivas win win
at Colorado tie Loss Colorado win Win
Vancouver win Loss at LAG loss
at Portland tie FC Dallas loss
at FC Dallas loss 0 points 3
LAG tie
2 Points -4
RSL Predicted result Actual Result Colorado Predicted result Actual Result
at Seattle tie Loss FC Dallas Win Win
San Jose win Loss at Portland loss Loss
at Vancouver tie Win Seattle tie Win
FC Dallas win Tie At San Jose loss Loss
at Portland tie Vancouver Win
Chivas win at Vancouver loss
4 points -5 3 points 2

Seattle has imploded the last two games and their chances of the SS have almost vanished. Especially considering they have to play at the House of Pane, at Dallas and against LAG (who could go into that game needing to win to make the playoffs).

San Jose has caught fire but it could be too little too late if they results do not go their way.

FC Dallas is done, their fall was steady over the course of the second half of the season.

Max Points

Team Points games games left max points
RSL 52 32 2 58
Seattle 51 31 3 60
Portland 50 31 3 59
LA Galaxy 48 31 3 57
Colorado Rapids 48 32 2 54
San Jose 47 32 2 53
Vancouver 45 32 2 51
FC Dallas 41 31 3 50
Chivas 26 32 2 32

I think there is a good chance Portland and San Jose grab max points.

Predicted standings

Team Predicted points Predicted total Playoff seed
RSL 4 56 1
Seattle 2 53 4
Portland 5 55 2
LA Galaxy 6 54 3
Colorado Rapids 3 51 5
San Jose 0 47 7
Vancouver 3 48 6
FC Dallas 4 45 8

Looking at the tailspin Seattle currently in 2 points might be a stretch. However they do play Dallas and they could very well pull out 3 points there. RSL will be without the services of two players due to suspension and one of those is Javier Morales. San Jose could win their next two and more than likely will at least get 3 points but that will not be good enough for a playoff spot.