Landon Donovan was right: His LA Galaxy can win the Supporters' Shield this week.
If the Galaxy beat fellow Shield challengers RSL on Saturday at home (10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT, FOX Sports West, lagalaxy.com/gamedaylive) and the Seattle Sounders don't win at New England, the Shield is LA's for the second consecutive year. (As an added bonus, the Shield winners receive the No. 1 seed, meaning they'll open their postseason against the lowest-remaining seed from the wild card play-in and enjoy homefield advantage throughout the playoffs).
Meanwhile, as MLS edges closer to the playoffs, the postseason picture becomes clearer. Last week, the Sounders and RSL joined the Galaxy in the postseason thanks to a tie in an Eastern Conference game. This week, another West outfit has the chance to clinch, as FC Dallas can punch a ticket with a win plus help.
At the other end of the standings, Toronto FC, the New England Revolution and the San Jose Earthquakes can all be eliminated from contention should the results not go their way. The Vancouver Whitecaps were eliminated on Saturday following their loss tho the Sounders.
Check out the complete scenarios below, and be sure to check out the latest playoff standings.
LA Galaxy will win the Supporters’ Shield for best regular-season record IF:
· LA Galaxy defeat Real Salt Lake on Saturday AND
o Seattle fail to defeat New England
FC Dallas will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs IF:
· FC Dallas defeat Colorado this week AND two of the following occur:
o Portland lose or tie vs. Vancouver
o Houston lose to Chicago
o New York lose to Toronto
Toronto FC and/or the New England Revolution will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Toronto and/or New England fail to win this week OR
· New York win or tie OR
· D.C. United win OR
· Portland win
(Toronto FC and New England cannot both qualify)
San Jose Earthquakes will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· San Jose lose to Kansas City this week AND two of the following occur:
o Philadelphia tie either game this week
o D.C. United win either game this week
o New York defeat Toronto
· OR San Jose tie Kansas City AND:
o Columbus tie or win one game this week AND
o Philadelphia win either game this week AND
o D.C. United win either game this week
