Major League Soccer Decision Day: Race for the playoffs reaches its climax
by Bradley Gibbs | by Bradley Gibbs
When is Major League Soccer Decision Day
In case anyone was wondering exactly when the excitement takes place, MLS Decision Day will be on Saturday, October 18th. See below for full details regarding games, kick-off times and where to watch:
Done and dusted in the Eastern Conference
As things stand in the Eastern Conference, there can be no serious playoff changes. In other words, the top nine teams as we enter the final round of regular-season games will remain no matter what happens this weekend.
The current top five are all heading straight to the best-of-three playoff round. Ahead of the final gameday, both Nashville and Orlando are also booked for a spot in the best-of-three stage, though that could easily change.
For those finishing eighth and ninth, a shootout game must be played. The winner of the shootout game advances to the best-of-three stage. Right now, the Columbus Crew and the Chicago Fire are heading into the shootout game, but if either of those two teams win this weekend, they could both sneak into the top seven.
If Nashville secure a tie or better, they’ll ensure a top-seven spot, and if Orlando win, both the Fire and the Crew will be booked for the shootout game, even if they end the regular season with a win, so while the top nine is decided, there is still something at stake.
Key final-weekend games in the Eastern Conference:
Columbus Crew vs New York Red Bulls
Nashville vs Inter Miami
New England Revolution vs Chicago Fire
Toronto vs Orlando City
Four Western Conference teams left in the fight
Decision Day looks a little different in the Western Conference, with a handful of teams still locked in the fight for postseason soccer.
Again, as is the case in the east, the current top five are all safely locked into the best-of-three section, while the Austin boys are also guaranteed to finish in that all-important top seven, it’s just a matter of them confirming whether they finish sixth or seventh.
Currently sitting in seventh is the Portland Timbers, who could be forced into the shootout if they lose and other results go against Phil Neville’s men.
Right now, eighth and ninth are occupied by FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake, but it’s far from over, with both the Colorado Rapids and the San Jose Earthquakes lurking. Admittedly, for the latter, it’ll take a win and several positive results elsewhere to force a shootout spot, but for the Rapids, a top-nine finish is hugely possible.
Chris Armas’ men find themselves outside of the top nine on goal difference alone, so if they win on Saturday, they’ll give themselves a big chance of making the postseason. Sadly, they’re up against LAFC, which is never an easy assignment.
Key final-weekend games in the Western Conference:
Colorado Rapids vs LAFC
Portland Timbers vs San Diego
San Jose Earthquakes vs Austin FC
Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas
If the Timbers avoid defeat at home, then the top-seven will be all sorted, but should they come unstuck against San Diego, then FC Dallas could sneak in, meaning that there will be three teams fighting for that ninth place. If RSL win, it’s theirs, but if they fail to come out on top, then a win for the Rapids would be enough, and if the Rapids also fall short, then the Earthquakes can cause a rumble by beating Austin on home soil. It’s all to play for.
Magical Messi to make the Golden Boot his?
Outside of the race for the playoffs, there’s the small matter of the Golden Boot, which as things stand is going the way of the legendary Lionel Messi, who has so far netted 26 times during the regular season for Inter Miami.
Messi enters the final regular-season gameday two goals ahead of his nearest pursuer, who happens to be LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, who like Messi, is a prolific scorer. Bouanga currently has 24 goals to his name, while Nashville’s Sam Surridge is hot on the heels of the Gabon international.
If Messi fails to score this weekend, realistically, it’s only Bouanga or Surridge that could take the crown, and even then, they’d both need to have fine scoring weekends.
Interestingly, it will be Surridge vs Messi as Nashville and Inter Miami will close the regular season with a game against each other. Will Surridge score four goals against the Herons? Will Messi fail to score? The answer to both questions is probably not.
