With Two Games Left, Where Will RSL End Up In The Playoffs?

SANDY, Utah – After a disappointing 2-1 loss to the LA Galaxy midweek, Real Salt lake have not clinched a playoff spot despite only having two games remaining and sitting in fifth place in the Western Conference.

The top seven Western Conference teams will make the playoffs, but RSL needs to be in the top four to get home-field advantage for the first round.

It was a big night for RSL against the Galaxy, not only was there serious playoff implications on the line, they also celebrated their 10 year anniversary of the 2009 MLS Cup by bringing the majority of the team back to town.

At half time, they put Javier Morales’s name up into the rafter alongside the former player and manager Jason Kreis.

Welcome home boys 👏 pic.twitter.com/6YostLrkWP

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 26, 2019

Not all is lost, however, RSL still have a chance at cementing a spot in the top four and solidifying a home elimination playoff game.

The road to doing that just got steeper.

Before I go into the nuts and bolts of how RSL can make the top four, let’s go over where the teams stand and the remaining games left on the schedule.

1. LAFC: After the 3-1 over the Houston Dynamo mid-week, LAFC clinched the supporter’s shield, solidifying them as the best regular-season team in MLS this season and clinching the number one seed in the West.
2. Minnesota United: They beat Sporting Kansas City midweek, and clinched a playoff spot. However, their final two regular-season games are no pushovers as they host LAFC and then travel to Seattle.
3. LA Galaxy: After the 2-1 win over RSL mid-week, the Galaxy jumped into third position and clinched a playoff spot. They sit comfortably on 51 points with games against the last-placed Vancouver Whitecaps and a road test against the 10th place Houston Dynamo, it seems reasonable to think that the Galaxy will hold on to a top-four spot by season’s end.
4. Seattle Sounders: The Sounders sit three points clear of RSL, however with games against San Jose at Avaya Stadium and a home test against Minnesota United, it seems unlikely that Seattle will end the season with two wins.
5. RSL: Currently three points behind being in a top-four position. Although, their remaining two games are favorable as they host the Houston Dynamo and then take a quick road trip to the worst team in the West, the Vancouver Whitecaps.
6. Portland Timbers: They will travel to the 11th placed Sporting Kansas City and then host San Jose in what could be a game that determines the final playoff spot. A massive final two games await the Timbers as they hope to make the playoffs.
7. FC Dallas: A team that has snuck under the raider. Despite not playing their best brand of soccer as of late, they are hanging around in the playoff conversations. Their remaining two games are on the road against Colorado and then at home against Sporting Kansas City. They should, if everything goes according to plan, eventually make the playoffs.
8. San Jose: the Earthquakes are spiraling downwards at the wrong time of the year. Their remaining two games are difficult as they host the fourth-placed Seattle Sounders and then go on the road and take on the Portland Timbers. The match against the Timbers will likely determine who makes the final playoff spot.

Three spots. Five teams (we see you, #Rapids96).

This could come down to #DecisionDay by @ATT. 😬 pic.twitter.com/rCQ9duTpkp

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 26, 2019

Where Will RSL Finish?

Assuming that RSL wins out and picks up victories against Houston and Vancouver, RSL should make the top four by seasons end.

It seems unlikely they will catch Minnesota or the Galaxy, but the Sounders are in their sights. Seattle’s remaining two games are difficult, as they go on the road against San Jose and then host Minnesota United. It would be a miracle if they picked up six points from both encounters.

RSL have a realistic chance of picking up six points over the remaining two games. It starts this Sunday against the Houston Dynamo, who currently sit in 10th position in the West and seem like a defeated team. If RSL can find a way to beat the Dynamo, they will then travel to Vancouver.

Road games this season have been hard-fought and RSL’s record does not bode well for their chances of picking up points at BC Place. However, Vancouver have been very poor at home this season, hence why they currently sit in last place. The Whitecaps have only won two games at home this entire season, while RSL have won three road games.

It is unlikely the Sounders are going to lose both remaining games, which would mean RSL would have to win out to jump into the top four. If RSL can pick up six points in two games and are tied with Seattle on points by seasons end, RSL would cement their spot in fourth place as they hold the tiebreaker over the Sounders.

RSL lost to Seattle 1-0 when the two teams met at Century Link Field earlier this season but beat them 3-0 at home, because both teams won, the tiebreaker goes to the team with the better goal differential during those games. The 3-0 victory at home could be the reason RSL ends up in fourth place.

The bottom line is that RSL really hurt themselves against the Galaxy mid-week, but not all is lost. There is still a mathematical chance that RSL ends up in the top four.

Seattle controls their own destiny, while RSL will be hoping they slip up against San Jose or Minnesota. While RSL have to beat the Dynamo and the Whitecaps if they intend on hosting an elimination final.

RSL falls to LA, 2-1. pic.twitter.com/7fTjAltkT2

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) September 26, 2019

Sunday’s Game Against Houston

Real Salt Lake and the Houston Dynamo will kickoff at 5:30 p.m. at Rio Tinto Stadium. RSL currently sit in 5th position in the Western Conference on 47 points, while the Dynamo sit in 10th on 37 points.

You can stream the game for free on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV app, which you can download here: ksltv.com/app.