Following Saturday’s defeat to Real Salt Lake, this is where the LA Galaxy stand in the MLS playoff chase…
Where the LA Galaxy stand…
With their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Salt Lake Saturday night, and Seattle Sounders FC’s 3-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Sunday, the LA Galaxy fell into the fourth position in the Western Conference.
LA now stand at 50 points in the Western Conference standings, five points behind RSL, who have 55, and two behind Seattle, who has 52. If the season ended today, the Galaxy would be play in the MLS Knockout round match against fifth place Vancouver Whitecaps FC on either October 31 or November 1. The Whitecaps can clinch the final playoff berth in the West with a victory over the Portland Timbers on Oct. 21.
What’s ahead…
With two games left on the MLS regular season docket, the road to the postseason remains a difficult one for the Galaxy.
The Galaxy will get a two-week break due to the international calendar, but resume action on Oct. 21 at Buck Shaw Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes before closing out the regular season on Oct. 28 against the Seattle Sounders at The Home Depot Center.
What it means…
The LA Galaxy have fallen into the fourth seed and face a fierce battle if they are to claw their way into one of the top three seeds. The Galaxy will need victories in their last two league matches to stay competitive for the second spot, but it is by no means guaranteed. LA will likely need a victory from Real Salt Lake on October 17 against Seattle to stay in contention for the second spot.
If the playoffs began today…
Western Conference Knockout round: LA Galaxy (Fourth seed) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (Fifth seed) on either Oct. 31 or Nov. 1.
Western Conference Semifinals: There are two semifinals…
Semifinal No. 1: San Jose Earthquakes (First Seed) vs. Knockout Round winner (Lower seed host first leg on either Nov. 3 or Nov. 4; Higher seed host second leg on either Nov. 7 or Nov. 8)
Semifinal No. 2: Real Salt Lake (Second Seed) vs. 3. Seattle Sounders (Third Seed) (Lower seed host first leg on either Nov. 3 or Nov. 4; Higher seed host second leg on either Nov. 7 or Nov. 8)
Western Conference Championship: dates are Nov. 10 or 11 (first leg) and Nov. 17-18 (second leg).
MLS Cup:Dec. 1
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com
