With less than six weeks to the start of the 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs, FC Dallas became the first team to clinch their place in postseason field last week. This week, three teams in the Eastern Conference and one in the Western Conference could join them.
Eastern Conference
Can clinch this weekend
Toronto FC — With a win over Philadelphia Union (5 p.m. ET, Saturday), would become first to clinch a playoff place in the East (TFC do not need any other results if they win); TFC would also clinch a playoff place with a loss or draw against Philadelphia, and a draw between D.C. United and Orlando City SC (7 p.m. ET, Saturday).
New York Red Bulls — With a win over Montreal Impact (7 p.m. ET, Saturday), and a draw between DCU and Orlando, would clinch a playoff place; RBNY would also clinch a playoff place with a win over Montreal, a victory for either DCU or Orlando, and a New England Revolution loss to Columbus Crew SC.
New York City FC — With a win over Chicago Fire (8 p.m. ET, Friday), and a draw between D.C. United and Orlando City SC, would clinch a playoff place; NYCFC would also clinch a playoff place with a win over Chicago, a victory for either DCU or OCSC, and a Revolution loss to Crew SC.
Game to watch
D.C. United vs. Orlando City SC (7 p.m. ET, Saturday) — Two sides tied on 34 points, currently sitting seventh and eighth in the East, just two back of the Revolution, on whom both DCU and Orlando have a game-in-hand advantage.
Western Conference
Can clinch this weekend
LA Galaxy — With a win over Seattle Sounders (4 p.m. ET, Sunday), would clinch a playoff place in the West (LA do not need any other results if they win).
Creeping closer
Colorado Rapids — With a win over Vancouver Whitecaps (7 p.m. ET, Saturday), and a victory for LA over Seattle, would be one point from clinching a place.
Real Salt Lake — With a win over FC Dallas (9:30 p.m. ET, Saturday), and a victory for LA over Seattle, would be four points (combined points won by RSL, and points dropped by Seattle) from clinching a place.
Game to watch
LA Galaxy vs. Seattle Sounders (4 p.m. ET, Sunday) — As stated, LA clinches a playoff place with a win, but a Sounders victory would throw the West into more unbelievable disarray. If results go their way elsewhere — namely, Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City losing this weekend — three points could separate the three teams for the final two playoff places, with two massive games in hand for the Sounders.