The race for the final playoff spots in the Western Conference reached fever pitch this week as FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake battled to secure their postseason berths, while several other teams saw their hopes dashed. With only two spots remaining in the nine-team Western Conference playoff field, the drama is set to continue all the way to Decision Day on October 18.
FC Dallas currently holds the eighth spot with 41 points following their disappointing 2-1 defeat to the LA Galaxy on Saturday night, a result that saw them reduced to 10 men after Logan Farrington’s 16th-minute red card. Despite the setback, Dallas still controls their own destiny heading into Decision Day, as a victory over Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps would guarantee their playoff spot.
Real Salt Lake sits in ninth place with 40 points and also has their fate in their own hands. A victory in either of their remaining matches – away at Seattle Sounders or at St. Louis CITY SC on Decision Day – would secure RSL’s fifth consecutive postseason appearance and their seventh playoff berth in the last eight seasons.
The playoff race has already claimed several casualties, with both the San Jose Earthquakes and Colorado Rapids seeing their hopes significantly diminished. For San Jose to reach the playoffs, they would need to defeat Austin FC on Decision Day while hoping for unfavorable results from Dallas, Salt Lake, and Colorado – a scenario that appears increasingly unlikely.
The Western Conference standings show Vancouver Whitecaps (63 points) firmly atop the conference, followed by San Diego FC (60 points), LAFC (59 points), and Minnesota United FC (58 points) already secured in playoff positions. Seattle Sounders (52 points), Austin FC (44 points), and Portland Timbers (44 points) have also clinched their postseason berths, leaving just two spots for the final week of drama.
