Galaxy’s postseason fate comes down to final day of regular season
Galaxy forward Giovani dos Santos (10) runs with the ball during a game against the Portland Timbers on Oct. 18.
The Galaxy enters the final day of Major League Soccer’s regular season second in the Western Conference. But it needs a victory Sunday at Sporting Kansas City to stay there and secure a bye into the conference’s playoff semifinals. Teams finishing third through sixth in the table face an elimination-round game either Wednesday or Thursday.
With five teams separated by just three points in the standings, here are the scenarios with one game remaining:
Galaxy wins: The team would finish second, guaranteeing the home-field advantage for the two-game conference semifinals beginning Nov. 1.
Galaxy draws: The Galaxy would still finish second provided neither Vancouver nor Portland wins. A victory by either would drop the Galaxy to third; wins by both would drop the Galaxy to fourth.
Galaxy loses: The Galaxy could still finish second provided Vancouver loses and Portland and Seattle either lose or draw. If all three teams win, the Galaxy would fall to fifth. A Vancouver draw combined with losses by Portland and Seattle would leave the Whitecaps and Galaxy even in the standings with 51 points. But Vancouver would clinch the second spot on the tiebreaker, most wins.
Follow Kevin Baxter on Twitter @kbaxter11
