MLS scores, standings, playoff scenarios: 2015 finalists Timbers, Crew in big trouble
Not long to go before the playoffs start, so here is what to know
Major League Soccer's regular season comes to a close on Oct. 23, and most teams either have two or three games left (Houston has four) to play. Here's everything to know as the playoff race heats up.
SCORES
This past weekend's MLS scoreboard pic.twitter.com/wTioRja98Y
— CBS Sports Soccer (@CBSSportsSoccer) October 3, 2016
STANDINGS
EASTERN CONFERENCE
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | NYRB* | 32 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 51 |
| 2 | NYCFC* | 32 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 51 |
| 3 | Toronto* | 32 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 49 |
| 4 | Montreal | 32 | 11 | 11 | 10 | -1 | 44 |
| 5 | D.C. United | 32 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 43 |
| 6 | Philadelphia | 32 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 42 |
| 7 | New England | 32 | 10 | 9 | 13 | -12 | 39 |
| 8 | Columbus | 31 | 8 | 11 | 12 | -4 | 35 |
| 9 | Orlando | 32 | 7 | 14 | 11 | -9 | 35 |
| 10 | Chicago | 29 | 6 | 9 | 16 | -16 | 27 |
WESTERN CONFERENCE
| # | Team | GP | W | D | L | GD | PTS |
| 1 | FC Dallas* | 32 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 56 |
| 2 | Colorado* | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 51 |
| 3 | LA Galaxy* | 32 | 11 | 15 | 6 | 14 | 48 |
| 4 | Real Salt Lake | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | -1 | 45 |
| 5 | Seattle | 31 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 1 | 44 |
| 6 | Sporting KC | 32 | 12 | 7 | 13 | -1 | 43 |
| 7 | Portland | 32 | 11 | 8 | 13 | -3 | 41 |
| 8 | San Jose | 31 | 8 | 13 | 10 | -5 | 37 |
| 9 | Vancouver | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 | -10 | 35 |
| 10 | Houston | 29 | 7 | 11 | 12 | -4 | 32 |
*Clinched playoff berth
THINGS TO KNOW
1. Half of the playoff field is set
In the Eastern Conference, the New York Red Bulls, NYCFC and Toronto FC have booked their spots, while in the Western Conference FC Dallas, Colorado and the Los Angeles Galaxy have clinched a playoff berth. Colorado and Los Angeles joined the playoff field this weekend.
They are two of the favorites to come out of the Western Conference, and the Galaxy has Colorado to thank for clinching a playoff spot. Colorado's win over Portland at the weekend also cemented Los Angeles' spot.
There are still three spots left in each conference.
2. MLS Cup finalists from last year could make history
Things aren't looking good for both Portland and Columbus, the finalists of the 2015 MLS Cup, which Portland won. The Timbers are in the seventh spot out west, and the top six make the playoffs. The Timbers trail Sporting KC by two points for the final spot, and it doesn't look like they will make the postseason. Portland has to go to Vancouver on the final day of the season, and Portland hasn't gotten a win on the road all campaign long.
As for Columbus, the Crew are seven points behind the final playoff spot and need to be perfect and everything to go its way to return this season. If they both fail to make the playoffs, it will be the first time ever the MLS Cup finalists fail to make the postseason in the following season.
3. If the playoffs started today...
These would be the matchups if the playoffs started today.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Knockout round match
No. 3 Toronto vs. No. 6 Philadelphia
No. 4 Montreal vs. No. 5 D.C. United
Byes
No. 1 NY Red Bulls, No. 2 NYCFC
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Knockout round match
No. 3 Los Angeles vs. No. 6 Sporting KC
No. 4 Real Salt Lake vs. No. 5 Seattle
Byes
No. 1 FC Dallas, No. 2 Colorado
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