Looking at the Playoff Picture

At the end of MLS’s 24th Week, the Sounders find themselves in an unenviable position of a 52% chance of making the playoffs right now- and trending downward.

The Rapids beat the Dynamo, 1-0, yesterday making 4 teams within 1 point of third place in the West.

Here’s a look at the Western Standings…
Houston, 40pts
LA Galaxy, 38pts
Seattle, 34pts
Colorado, 33pts
Real Salt Lake, 33pts
Chivas USA, 33pts
FC Dallas, 23pts
San Jose, 20pts

As a note, Colorado and Chivas USA have two games in hand on the Sounders.

For a quick review of who makes it to the playoffs (I don’t know if we’ve gone over that before), the top 2 clubs in the East and top 2 in the West automatically get bids. After that, the next top 4 clubs, regardless of division, make the playoffs.

Here is the complete MLS Table…

Houston, 40pts
Columbus, 39pts
Chicago, 38pts
LA Galaxy, 38pts
Seattle, 34pts
Colorado, 33pts
Real Salt Lake, 33pts
Chivas USA, 33pts
New England, 33pts
DC United, 32pts
Toronto FC, 31pts
FC Dallas, 23pts
Kansas City, 21pts
San Jose, 20pts
New York, 16pts

As you can see, right now 7 clubs are within 3 points for spots #5-8 in the MLS Playoffs.