Don't look now, but the MLS regular season is coming to a close. There are three weeks of games left, some teams with more games than others, as the final push to the playoffs hits fifth gear. Here's everything you need to know from the weekend in MLS and what's ahead.
SCORES
MLS scores from the weekend pic.twitter.com/83rxUJ7HS9
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) September 26, 2016
STANDINGS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | NYRB | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 13 | 48 |
| 2 | Toronto | 30 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 48 |
| 3 | NYCFC | 31 | 13 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 48 |
| 4 | Philadelphia | 31 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 2 | 42 |
| 5 | Montreal | 30 | 9 | 11 | 10 | -4 | 38 |
| 6 | DC United | 30 | 8 | 13 | 9 | 2 | 37 |
| 7 | New England | 31 | 9 | 9 | 13 | -14 | 36 |
| 8 | Orlando | 30 | 7 | 13 | 10 | -8 | 34 |
| 9 | Columbus | 29 | 7 | 11 | 11 | -4 | 32 |
| 10 | Chicago | 29 | 6 | 9 | 14 | -12 | 27 |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | FC Dallas | 31 | 15 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 53 |
| 2 | Colorado | 29 | 12 | 12 | 5 | 5 | 48 |
| 3 | LA Galaxy | 31 | 11 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 48 |
| 4 | Real Salt Lake | 31 | 12 | 9 | 10 | 0 | 45 |
| 5 | Sporting KC | 31 | 12 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 43 |
| 6 | Portland | 31 | 11 | 8 | 12 | -2 | 41 |
| 7 | Seattle | 29 | 11 | 5 | 13 | -1 | 38 |
| 8 | Vancouver | 31 | 9 | 8 | 14 | -9 | 35 |
| 9 | San Jose | 29 | 7 | 13 | 9 | -4 | 34 |
| 10 | Houston | 29 | 7 | 11 | 11 | -2 | 32 |
1) Jordan Morris has Seattle back in it
From May 14 to from July 31, Seattle played 12 games and won just two of them. And since August 7, the Sounders have been rolling, winning five of eight games, drawing two and losing just one to get right back into the playoff hunt. As it stands, the team in seventh in the Western Conference, one spot behind the final playoff spot, which is currently occupied by the Portland Timbers.
Now, Seattle is three points behind Portland but the Sounders have two games in hand. Win and draw one, and they leapfrog their regional rival.
On Sunday, Seattle secured a big 4-2 win at the Los Angeles Galaxy, and it was young American striker Jordan Morris stealing with show with an impressive brace. Take a look.
The kid scores goals.@JmoSmooth13 with the brace to earn all three points for @SoundersFChttps://t.co/7yMDc8ZplN
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 26, 2016
2) Portland is in a bit of trouble
Portland may be in a playoff spot, but the reigning champs are at risk of missing out on the playoffs for two reasons. The first being those two games in hand that Seattle has right below them for the final playoff spot, but also the road woes.
Portland is 0-9-6 on the road this year just a year after being the best road team in MLS. With trips to Colorado and Vancouver left, the Sounders are likely going to need results to make the playoffs, especially if Seattle stays hot.
There is some sort of curse on the Portland Timbers on the road. There has to be, right? This is the last-place Houston Dynamo. #HOUvPOR
— Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) September 25, 2016
3) The teams that have clinched a playoff spot are...
In the east, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC and NYCFC have clinched. In the west only FC Dallas has booked a spot. The next teams expected to clinch are Philadelphia, Colorado and Los Angeles.
4) No team's been eliminated
With less than a month of the season left, no team has been eliminated, and there is still all to play for. Even the Chicago Fire, the team with the league's worst record at 6-14-9, could still make the playoffs if things were to go perfectly for them.
5) If the playoffs started today...
These would be the matchups if the playoffs started today.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Knockout round match
No. 3 NYCFC vs. No. 6 DC United
No. 4 Philadelphia vs. No. 5 Montreal
Byes
No. 1 NY Red Bulls, No. 2 Toronto FC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Knockout round match
No. 3 Los Angeles vs. No. 6 Portland
No. 4 Real Salt Lake vs. No. 5 Sporting KC
Byes
No. 1 FC Dallas, No. 2 Colorado
The race is on. Pressure is on Portland not to make it an embarrassing trio, and there is a little time left for teams to secure their spots in the playoffs.
In two instances, a defending MLS Cup champion did not qualify for the playoffs the following year - DC (99/00), and LA (05/06).
— Dan Dickinson (@GothamistDan) August 15, 2016
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