MLS Cup Playoffs: Breaking down what your team needs on Decision Day
By Matt Coles
The Fight For A Bye Week In The East
Current Standings:
- NE – 32 from 22 (1.45 PPG)
- RBNY – 29 from 22 (1.32)
- NSH – 29 from 22 (1.32)
‘Decision Day’ Fixtures: NE @ Philadelphia Union, RBNY v Toronto FC, NSH @ Orlando City
Due to the fact that there will be ten teams in the playoffs from the Eastern Conference, there will be a Play-In Round to kick off the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on November 20. The No.7 and No.8 seeds in the Conference will host No.10 and No.9 seeds, respectively.
Therefore, finishing inside the top six in the East will mean a bye week in the early stages of the playoffs, and that could be vital. Three teams are still able to finish in that 6th position, and it comes down to the final day of the regular season.
Sitting in 6th are New England Revolution, who know that all they need to do is avoid defeat on Sunday to clinch that spot, and have the extra few days off ahead of the first round of the post-season. However, they visit the league-leading Philadelphia Union, who themselves are in a fight for the title, the toughest of all tests on ‘Decision Day’.
If the Revs lose in Philadelphia on Sunday, that opens the door for both the New York Red Bulls and Nashville SC. The Red Bulls currently sit three points behind New England having played the same amount of games and know that a win would see them go above their rivals. The side from the Big Apple will do battle with Toronto FC, the other side in the battle for the Supporters’ Shield.
Currently sitting in 8th spot are Nashville SC, and the expansion side, who have already secured a post-season spot in their debut campaign in the league, could clinch a bye if things go their way, but they need New England to lose heavily along with the Bulls failing to win.
If both of those things happen, the door opens for the Tennessee-based side, who travel to Orlando City, a side that knows they have a home tie in the Eastern Conference playoffs no matter what. If they win on Sunday, they could climb two spots and into that coveted top six.
- NE need: Win/Draw OR both RBNY, NSH fail to win
- RBNY need: Win & NE loss
- NSH need: Win & NE loss + 3 goal swing, RBNY fail to win