Vancouver Leads a Crowded MLS West Title Race | OneFootball

The Western Conference title is a four-way race between Vancouver, San Diego, Minnesota and LAFC. Only four points separate them. This week, none of the four play one another, which means all of those fixtures have serious import. But here’s the thing… the race for the bottom two playoff spots is equally as contentious. Colorado Rapids, Quakes, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and Houston are also separated by four points. That’s five clubs for two spots. Who will get the seats when the music stops playing?

Houston Dynamo FC vs. San Diego FC

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At this stage of the season, it’s about creating momentum to carry into the playoffs. For SDFC, however, there’s a small matter of winning the Western Conference as well. Houston shouldn’t expect any mercy, and their recent form (2W, 3D, 5L) indicates San Diego shouldl be able to inflict misery upon them.

Minnesota United FC vs. Sporting Kansas City

Saturday, October 4 @ 8:30pm ET Allianz Field, Saint Paul, Minnesota

SKC is out of the race. There’s nothing here to play for but pride. Minnesota’s fate is out of their hands. If either Vancouver or San Diego win their chance to win the West is done. That won’t stop them from putting on a show for home crowd at Allianz, and trying to lock down a higher playoff seed.

Real Salt Lake vs. Colorado Rapids

Saturday, October 4 @ 9:30pm ET America First Field, Sandy, Utah

A win for RSL jumps them three places in the standings, from 11th to 8th. They’ll pip Colorado by goal difference at that point (they’re currently tied at -11). The home crowd should be fired up, and it’s no exaggeration that this is their most important game of the season.

Ditto for the Rapids. Maybe not as much on the line, but a win plus some help virtually guarantees them post-season play.

Vancouver Whitecaps vs. San Jose Earthquakes

Sunday, October 5 @ 6:00pm ET BC Place, Vancouver, Canada

You should feel the rumble all the way down in the Bay Area from this contest. Everything is on the line for both teams. For Vancouver, a win advances them closer to the Wester Conference title. With a game in hand, it’s not a must-win, but it will feel like that in the dressing room.

For San Jose, a win puts them closer to a playoff spot. They occupy 9th at the moment on goal differential. Some points cushion would be much better. Bruce Arena will be hoping his defense can put some stops on a high-powered Vancouver offense. Newly signed Thomas Müller has exploded in his first five games for the Caps, registering 5g/3a and helping the club lift the Voyagers Cup as Canadian club champions.

LAFC vs. Atlanta United

Sunday, October 5 @ 9:00pm ET BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, California

This shouldn’t be much of a contest. Atlanta are devoid of creativity and passion. LAFC are simply red hot. They also need to win out their remaining four games to win that Western title.