Who's In, Who's Out? MLS Playoff Projections

If the MLS Cup playoffs were to start this weekend, what 5 teams from both conferences would make the cut? In the past few years, the Western Conference has been decided early, with at least 4 weeks left to play. But its a David and Goliath battle in the Eastern Conference, as it usually comes down to the last game of the season, to determine the teams who will still play. This is what makes the MLS Cup a nail-biter situation for diehard fans of almost every team.

Western Conference: We already know the first two teams from the West who have clinched a playoff berth. Those teams are the Seattle Sounders, and the Los Angeles Galaxy. That takes care of 1, and 2. Both have also made a run at winning the Supporter's Shield, which is given out to the team with the best record at the end of the regular season. The third team to get a playoff berth will be Kyle Beckerman and Real Salt Lake, coming in at number 3. Following Salt Lake, will be FC Dallas in 4th. Plot Twist: If, Real Salt Lake were to lose at least one game before the end of the season, FC Dallas can hop over them, and take the 3rd place spot from them. And finally, taking home the last spot in the West, the Portland Timbers. Sitting in 5th place, it would have to be a downhill slide for Real Salt Lake, and FC Dallas in order for Portland to move up in the table. Unlikely to happen, the Timbers will stay in 5th.

Eastern Conference: Also known as the "Anything Can Happen" conference, this the wildest scenario ever in talks of what teams will make the postseason. Sitting on top of the table, after rebounding from their terrible season last year, is DC United, with 48 points. Following DC United, reigning MLS Cup champions, Sporting Kansas City, comes in second with 45 points with a game in hand on the team above. Winning their next match will make them level with DC United for first, assuming DC were to lose their next game. In third, with a game in hand on Kansas City, is New England Revolution. Winning the next game will level them with SKC, assuming SKC were to lose their next game. Almost the same scenario with DC and SKC. The former Supporter's Shield winners, New York Red Bulls, sit 4th, with --yet again-- a game in hand on New England. A win can guarantee a place movement up, if New England were to draw, or lose against their next opponent. Coming in at 5th place, is the Columbus Crew. If Columbus were to win their next match, they can leapfrog New York, and New England, if those teams were to lose, or draw.

Now comes the interesting part. Below the red line sit Philadelphia Union, and Toronto FC. The Union are in 6th, with 38 points, and Toronto FC sit below them with 37 points. If Columbus were to lose, and New York were to lose, the Union can leapfrog Columbus, and sit in 5th, tied for 4th with New York, which wouldn't work since New York has a better goal differential than the Union. Don't leave out Toronto FC just yet. They can still make the playoffs, with wins from them, and possible wins, draws, or losses from other teams, depending on the scenario that is in hand at the end of the season.

Below is how the writer feels the teams will end their season, along with the form of their remaining games.

Western Conference:

Seattle Sounders - 67 points - (W,W,W,D,W)

Los Angeles Galaxy - 61 points - (W,W,L,D,L)

Real Salt Lake - 60 points - (W,W,D,D,W)

FC Dallas - 50 points - (D,L,D,L)

Portland Timbers - 47 points - (W,D,L,D,W)

Eastern Conference:

DC United - 60 points - (W,L,W,W,W)

Sporting Kansas City - 58 points - (W,W,W,W,D)

Columbus Crew - 53 points - (W,W,W,D,W)

New York Red Bulls - 51 points - (L,W,W,D,W,L)