MLS Makes Sense of the West

It’s the penultimate week of the regular season, and the pressure is rising for the seven Western Conference clubs which will have to face off against the top of the group and each other for the last four spots in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Sitting above the playoff line and ranked No. 4-7 are the Portland Timbers (46), LA Galaxy (46), Minnesota United FC (45 points), and Vancouver Whitecaps FC (44 points) – all looking to hold off Nos. 8-10 Real Salt Lake (42 points), Los Angeles Football Club (41 points), and San Jose Earthquakes (37 points).

For these clubs, building momentum will be huge, with this week’s stiff competition only increasing the season finale stakes for MLS Decision Day on Nov. 7.
 

• No. 4 Timbers and No. 10 Earthquakes in crunch match: The No. 4 Timbers and the No. 10 Earthquakes face off in a massive match Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) which could determine both clubs’ playoff fates looking ahead.

• No. 5 LA Galaxy face a key test: The Galaxy are level with points with No. 4 Portland as they prepare for No. 2 Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET, FS1) and No. 1 Seattle Sounders FC on Monday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

• No. 6 Minnesota at climbing or tipping point: Separated from clubs on either side by only a single point, the Loons go head-to-head with No. 7 Whitecaps FC on Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) before challenging No. 2 Sporting on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, ESPN / ESPN Deportes).

• No. 7 Vancouver resisting gravity: The opportunity to rise or fall could get very real for the last club above the playoff line facing No. 6 MNUFC Wednesday (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+) and No. 9 LAFC next Tuesday, Nov. 1 (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+).