One of my favorite cereals growing up as a kid was Quaker Oats’ Cap’n Crunch. So as we get to crunch time in the MLS I thought I’d break open a box of the limited edition and munch a bunch (I am fresh out of Fritos) while we look at the rest of the MLS regular season.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

With each team having played 32 games, the next 10 days will determine the final regular season standings. Each team has two more games and all of those games will be played on this coming Sunday and next Sunday. For this season, MLS changed their playoff format substantially compared to the past. This year seven teams from each conference will make the playoffs with the remaining five teams headed home. First place in the regular season will garner a team a first round bye. Then teams placed 2-4 will host a one game playoff against teams 5-7. In all rounds the higher seed will host the game but there is no re-seeding once the initial bracket is set. So here’s how the bracket looks.

One thing of note is the start date for the playoffs. They won’t begin until Saturday, October 19th to account for the FIFA window from October 7th to the 15th. This window has some big time soccer going on especially in Europe but its also key for the USMNT as they have their first two League of Nations games against Cuba and Canada. While clubs are “required” to release players to their respective national teams during official FIFA windows its a bit problematic for MLS teams. They aren’t in their regular season but their playoffs. It will be interesting to see just who USMNT manager Gregg Berhaltter calls into camp. Their are numerous MLS players who could be factored into the next two US games but are also key to their club teams. Names like Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Wil Trapp, Gyasi Zardes, Paul Arriola, Reggie Cannon, Aaron Long, Nick Lima, Christian Roldan, and Jordan Morris have all played major roles in recent USMNT games. So how many of those does Berhalter call in versus leaving them home to train with their clubs and prepare for the playoffs? My take is simple. If they are a player who I believe needs to be on the national team roster then I am calling them in.

Ok enough background lets look at the teams and their current standings. What’s left for them and their chances to make the playoffs?

Eastern Conference

Lets get the simple ones out of the way first. The Columbus Crew and Cincinnati FC are going home. No playoffs for them. At the other end of the spectrum NYCFC, Philadelphia Union, Atlanta FC, DC United, NY Red Bulls, and Toronto FC all have their playoff tickets punched. What remains to be seen is just where they finish. So only one open spot in the Eastern Conference is left with the NE Revolution currently holding that spot and controlling their own destiny. Orlando City SC is pretty much dead on arrival although not mathematically eliminated and the Montreal Impact are not much better off. The Chicago Fire sit a little better but they have to play Toronto on Sunday and Toronto still has a shot at making a top 4 seed. So while 6 of 7 spots are taken there is still a lot of jockeying around the next 10 days to see who will get the all critical home field.

Here’s a quick look at what’s facing the teams trying to get in:

New England Revolution – They host NYCFC on Sunday with a shot to clinch a playoff spot. But NYCFC can clinch 1st place in the conference with a draw. The Revs have to then go on the road to Atlanta. They need to find a point in one of these two games.

Chicago Fire – The need to find a way to win Sunday against Toronto then finish next week down in Orlando. Doable but realistically they need to win twice and even that may not be enough.

Montreal Impact – The good news is that both of their last two games are at home. The bad news is they are against Atlanta and the Red Bulls. They have to win both. Not happening.

Orlando City FC – Schedule wise they are actually in the best shape playing at Cinncy and then hosting the Fire. They could win both games but still probably fall short.

Western Conference

Similar to the Eastern Conference, lets get the go homes out of the way. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are headed home. And shockingly as well so are the Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City. Now unlike the other conference only 4 of 7 playoff spots are spoken for leaving 3 up for grabs. Both LA clubs, LAFC and LA Galaxy are in as are Minnesota United FC and the Seattle Sounders. That leaves Real Salt Lake, Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, and the Colorado Rapids fighting over those 3 spots. Realistically the Rapids are probably going home and Real should get in which leaves a dogfight between the Timbers, Dallas, and the Quakes for two spots. Still they have to play the games so who knows.

What’s facing the Western Conference teams trying to get in?

Real Salt Lake – They are on pretty solid ground hosting the Dynamo and finishing on the road at the Caps. They should get in.

Portland Timbers – Likewise the Timbers are in good shape playing at the eliminated Sporting and then hosting the Quakes. Sporting doesn’t have much to play for and make trot out a young lineup. Look for Portland to clinch a spot this Sunday.

FC Dallas – Dallas has a tough one this Sunday on the road at the Rapids who need a win to keep in the running. The good news for Dallas is they finish at home against Sporting. Look for Dallas to secure a spot in the Mile High City on Sunday.

San Jose Earthquakes – The poor Quakes have to finish up hosting the Sounders and then on the road to the Timbers. With the Timbers fighting to get in and the Sounders fighting for a top 4 finish I think the Quakes are going home.

Colorado Rapids – Well they do get Dallas at home then they play at LAFC. The probably need to win both matches to have a shot. Not happening.

If you want a more in-depth look at the current scenarios check out this link.

So two weeks left and some pretty interesting games left to see whose in and whose out. And with the new single elimination format home field is still a major factor so lots of battles left in the remaining games!