The San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake have claimed three of the five Western Conference berths for the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Seattle Sounders could take one of the remaining spots on Saturday, leaving the final place up for grabs for at least another week. No teams have yet been eliminated, though that could change by Sunday.
The Eastern Conference is much tighter. No teams have clinched any of their five berths, althought New England and Toronto have been eliminated.
The Rapids fate lies on their own result, as well as the outcomes of the FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps games. The Whitecaps currently hold the fifth spot, but are only ahead of Dallas by two points. Dallas has a six point cushion on the Rapids. Colorado host the LA Galaxy on Sunday at 5 pm MT (BUY TICKETS)
This weekend sees three teams in position to secure a berth in the Playoffs, as well as other teams that could be mathematically eliminated.
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Seattle Sounders FC will clinch a playoff spot IF
- Seattle Sounders FC win or tie vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday (7 pm MT, NBC Sports Network)
OR
- FC Dallas tie or lose vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
Portland Timbers will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Portland Timbers lose to D.C. United on Saturday
AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win or tie vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday OR
- FC Dallas win vs. San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday
OR
- Portland Timbers tie vs. D.C. United on Saturday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
Colorado Rapids will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Colorado Rapids lose to LA Galaxy on Sunday AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
Chivas USA will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Chivas USA lose to Real Salt Lake on Saturday (6:30 MT) AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Sporting Kansas City will clinch a playoff spot IF
- Sporting Kansas City win vs. Chicago Fire on Friday (6:30 MT; NBC Sports Network)
OR
- Columbus Crew lose to Philadelphia Union on Saturday (5:30 MT)
OR
-
Sporting Kansas City tie vs. Chicago Fire on Friday AND
- Columbus Crew tie vs. Philadelphia Union on Saturday OR
- Houston Dynamo lose to New England Revolution on Saturday
Chicago Fire will clinch a playoff spot IF
- Chicago Fire win vs. Sporting Kansas City on Friday
AND
- Columbus Crew lose to Philadelphia Union on Saturday OR
- Houston Dynamo lose to New England Revolution on Saturday
Philadelphia Union will be eliminated from playoff contention IF
- Philadelphia Union lose to Columbus Crew on Saturday
OR
- Houston Dynamo win vs. New England Revolution on Saturday
OR
- Philadelphia Union tie vs. Columbus Crew on Saturday AND
- Houston Dynamo tie vs. New England Revolution on Saturday
