CARSON, Calif. -- Literally just hours after the conclusion of the International break, MLS action returns on Wednesday with a match that will hold considerable barring on the LA Galaxy's playoff seeding.
On Wednesday evening, Real Salt Lake face off against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, in a match between the two of the Western Conference's (RSL No. 2 and Seattle No. 3) top teams. The match has major implications for the Galaxy, who currently sit in fourth place in the West two points behind the Sounders for the third seed, who after Wednesday's match will have played the same number of games as the rest of the West.
Should Seattle defeat RSL, the Galaxy would five points out of the third spot and likely be resigned to playing in the Knockout round match against the fifth seed -- likely Vancouver Whitecaps FC. If RSL wins on the other hand, LA would be unable to finish in second place, but the Galaxy would remain two points behind Seattle--who LA face in the final match of the season on Oct. 28-- and would likely need a victory in at least that match to avoid the Knockout round. Similar results are likely to be needed should the match end in a tie.
While the Galaxy will be watching the action from Seattle, they're not supporting either club.
"Obviously we want certain things to happen, but we have to take care of our business and I know that is one thing that our team is focused on," said defender Sean Franklin. " [We're] not worrying about who wins that game or if they tie or who loses. It's all about doing our job because if we don't do our job then those things don't matter."
