We may be three months way from the start of the MLS Cup playoffs, but each and every game from August until October is extremely vital for playoff seeding.
If the season ended today, the fifth-seeded LA Galaxy would take on fourth-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place in the Western Conference First Round knock out round on either October 31st or November 1st. The winner would take on the current first place San Jose Earthquakes in the Western Conference semifinals, a two-leg series starting either November 3rd or November 4th. Currently the Galaxy have ten games left on the docket starting with Sunday's Superclásico against Chivas USA.
Below are the tiebreakers determined by the league's Board of Governors. One note, however, unlike in years past head-to-head records will not be used a tie-breaker as teams do not play every opponent an equal number of times.
1) Goals For (See column labeled GF on www.MLSsoccer.com/standings page)
2) Goal Differential (GD)
3) Fewest Disciplinary Points (Posted here)
4) Road Goals
5) Road Goal Differential
6) Home Goals
7) Home Goal Differential
8) Coin Toss (2 teams) or Drawing of Lots (3 or more)
