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The 2022 MLS season is within the house stretch. Whereas some groups are closing in on a coveted postseason berth, others are on the skin trying in and hoping for a robust end to achieve the playoffs.
This is a take a look at what’s a stake from a playoff perspective on this weekend’s video games.
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Friday, Sept. 9
For Montreal, it is fairly easy. Win and you’re in. Head coach Wilfried Nancy has performed a masterful job this season in Quebec and a victory over sixth-place Columbus would seal the deal and likewise hold their slim Supporters’ Defend hopes intact. In the meantime, Columbus would love a win to probably fend off New England and Cincinnati from leaping them within the desk and leaving them out of the playoff zone in eighth place.
Saturday, Sept. 10
Charlotte FC vs. New York City FC
Regardless of a 1-1 draw at Cincinnati on Wednesday that has stored them winless in 4 straight video games, reigning champions NYCFC are nonetheless in place to host a first-round playoff sport. Nevertheless, time is operating out on Twelfth-place Charlotte to make up seven factors to get into the playoff zone.
Solely 4 factors separate third from seventh within the west and Nashville is true in the course of it in fourth with 45 factors. They’re assured of ending the weekend within the playoff zone, however they’d fairly win to remain prime 4. The Galaxy are the closest pursuers within the west for playoff spot, with 39 factors in eighth place. Win, they usually may very well be again in a postseason spot.
New York Red Bulls vs. New England Revolution
The Crimson Bulls are proper smack dab in the course of that second-to-fourth slot that has them on observe to host within the first spherical. The state of affairs is way extra perilous for the Revs, who within the East’s eighth place and subsequently on the skin trying in. NYRB might afford a loss right here; New England cannot.
Whereas defeat does not formally eradicate both facet from the playoffs, it might be the next-to-last nail within the coffin. It is probably final name for Tenth-place TFC (34) and Eleventh-place Atlanta (33), with the latter suspending Josef Martinez for the sport due to “conduct detrimental to the team.”
FC Cincinnati vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Cincinnati are within the seventh and ultimate spot within the East after Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with NYCFC, so three factors is paramount for the hosts. In the meantime, the Quakes would say adios to the postseason with a loss.
Philadelphia Union vs. Orlando City SC
The race for the Supporters Defend is on, with the already-playoff sure Union neck-and-neck with LAFC for that trophy. As for Orlando Metropolis, they’re going to be on cloud 9 after winning the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, however at the moment fifth with 42 factors within the East and 4 factors forward of eighth-place, the margins are slim.
Chicago Fire FC vs. Inter Miami CF
Inter Miami are lurking in ninth place with 36 factors, simply two behind Cincinnati and New England. Hiccups from each might permit Phil Neville’s boys to catapult themselves right into a postseason spot with a win. Chicago are seven factors off the playoff zone, so it mainly must be an ideal end from the Fireplace if they’re to return to snap their playoff drought (2017).
Seattle Sounders FC vs. Austin FC
Austin FC are hoping the third time is a appeal after not securing a primary ever playoff berth of their earlier two video games, each ending in defeats. Nonetheless second within the West with 51 factors and a five-point cushion on third-place FC Dallas, Austin might be playoff sure with a win towards a Seattle facet which are six factors again of seventh place. Seattle’s streak of getting certified for the playoffs yearly is hanging by a thread.
LAFC have already clinched a playoff spot and are on observe for a primary place end within the West, however FC Dallas nonetheless have some work to do to verify they host within the first spherical. Simply two factors separate them from having to go on the highway in Spherical One.
Houston Dynamo FC vs. Sporting Kansas City
The Bee Gees’ hit “Stayin’ Alive” might properly be sounding the locker room for the victor on this one. Sporting KC are assured of staying within the playoff hunt if they will win in Area Metropolis, whereas the last-place Dynamo, who fired coach Paulo Nagamura on Monday, want a win and both Portland or Real Salt Lake to drop factors to remain mathematically alive.
Colorado Rapids vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
These two groups have virtually equivalent information and sit Tenth and Eleventh within the West, with Vancouver barely forward at 34 factors versus Colorado’s 33. A loss right here mainly means elimination, whereas a win retains the slim playoff hopes alive.
Real Salt Lake vs. D.C. United
Actual Salt Lake are sixth with 42 factors however not far over their shoulder are the Galaxy in eighth with 39. Nevertheless, a win might see them soar into fourth and internet hosting place within the first spherical. D.C. are final within the East with 26 factors and a loss plus New England getting a consequence means no playoffs in 2022 for the boys from the capital.
Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United
Minnesota discover themselves additionally proper in the course of that Western logjam in fifth place with 44 factors, with a house playoff sport to lacking the playoffs all collectively each potentialities. Portland are hanging on to the ultimate playoff spot within the West (42 factors) and a draw would no less than hold them there for one more week.
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