As part of a new feature on LAGalaxy.com, we’ll look at where the playoff picture stands for the LA Galaxy after each match and tell you where LA stand in the playoff chase, what’s ahead and what it all means for the Galaxy.
Following last Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Toronto FC, this is where the LA Galaxy stand in the MLS playoff chase.
Where the Galaxy stand…
For the past month, the Galaxy have been in a battle with Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders FC for a spot in the top three in the Western Conference, which would prevent the clubs from participating in the Knockout Round between the fourth and fifth seeds. Currently the Galaxy are tied with Real Salt Lake for second place in the Western Conference, 11 points behind likely Supporters’ Shield winners the San Jose Earthquakes.
Although LA is in a deadlock with RSL, they hold the important total goals scored tiebreaker over Salt Lake, tallying 14 more times than Jason Kreis’ squad, which would give them the second position in the West if the season ended today. One point behind LA and RSL are the Sounders, who sit in fourth place, but have a game in hand on both the Galaxy and Salt Lake.
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What’s ahead…
The Galaxy have just four matches left on the docket in league play as they look to earn a top three seed in the Western Conference. LA begin the stretch run this weekend against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Sunday evening before a stretch of three vital matches; at home against RSL on Oct. 6, away to San Jose on Oct. 21 before hosting Seattle in the final match of the season at The Home Depot Center on Oct. 28.(Don’t miss the action – Stretch Run Plans that include the Oct. 6 and 28 home games plus the first home playoff game start at $45)
What it means…
The Galaxy may have clinched a playoff berth, but the work is far from over. As they head into the final month of the MLS regular season, aside from the game in hand that Seattle hold on the Galaxy, Bruce Arena’s men are in control of their own destiny as they play three matches against their top three Western Conference foes.
If LA can win out, they are guaranteed that they will have at least a top three spot in the West and avoid playing in a taxing Knockout Round game just days after the end of the regular season. Ultimately, the month of October will go a long way to proving whether the Galaxy are truly back to their “championship” form, but first LA must earn a victory on the road this weekend against the Rapids.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
