The Major League Soccer regular season is nearing its conclusion, which means clubs have their sights firmly set on qualifying for the MLS Cup playoffs, which begin on Oct. 19.
Seven teams have clinched one of the 14 postseason berths, while two more have already been eliminated, including expansion side FC Cincinnati. In between those poles, things are wide open, especially in the Western Conference, where only one side -- LAFC -- has clinched a spot.
So, who's in? Who's out? Who has it all to play for?
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Clinched playoff places (seven per conference)
Eastern Conference: New York City FC, Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls, Toronto FC
Western Conference: LAFC
Eliminated from postseason contention
Eastern Conference: FC Cincinnati
Western Conference: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Still in contention: East
New England Revolution (41 points, 31 games played)
Montreal Impact (38 points, 32 games played)
Chicago Fire (37 points, 32 games played)
Orlando City SC (36 points, 32 games played)
Columbus Crew SC (35 points, 32 games played)
Still in contention: West
Seattle Sounders FC (50 points, 32 games played)
Minnesota United FC (49 points, 31 games played)
LA Galaxy (48 points, 31 games played)
Real Salt Lake (47 points, 31 games played)
FC Dallas (45 points, 32 games played)
San Jose Earthquakes (44 points, 31 games played)
Portland Timbers (44 points, 31 games played)
Colorado Rapids (39 points, 32 games played)
Houston Dynamo (37 points, 31 games played)
Sporting Kansas City (37 points, 31 games played)
Wednesday clinching scenarios
The LA Galaxy will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup playoffs with a win over Real Salt Lake OR a draw AND a San Jose draw against Philadelphia AND a Portland draw vs. New England OR a San Jose draw AND a Portland loss OR a San Jose loss AND a Portland draw. Minnesota United can book its first postseason place with a win vs. Sporting Kansas City OR a draw while San Jose and Portland both draw in their respective matches OR one of Portland and San Jose draws while the other loses.
Real Salt Lake will be playoff bound with a win against the Galaxy AND losses from both San Jose AND Portland. The Seattle Sounders, too, can secure their postseason place if both San Jose AND Portland lose or draw.
LAFC can lift the Supporters' Shield with a win over Houston OR a New York City FC loss to Atlanta. New York City FC will clinch the top seed in the Eastern Conference if it beats Atlanta AND Philadelphia drops points against San Jose.
Wednesday elimination scenarios
The Columbus Crew's playoff hopes will be extinguished with a New England win or draw against Portland. The Montreal Impact will miss the postseason if New England beats Portland. Orlando City SC will also be eliminated if New England wins against Portland.
The Colorado Rapids will be eliminated if San Jose beats Philadelphia AND Portland tops New England OR a San Jose win over Philadelphia AND a Sporting KC win against Minnesota AND Portland drawing vs. New England. The Houston Dynamo will be knocked out of playoff contention with a loss to LAFC OR wins from both San Jose AND Portland. Sporting Kansas City will miss the playoffs with a loss to Minnesota OR wins from both San Jose AND Portland.
When do the MLS Cup playoffs begin?
In addition to the field expanding to 14 teams, the calendar has shifted ahead by two weeks to begin on Oct. 19 and been compressed by the elimination of two-legged ties, with a return to single-elimination knockout.
Here is playoff schedule, leading up to the MLS Cup on Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC).
Round 1
Saturday, Oct. 19 (time TBD)
Saturday, Oct. 19 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Sunday, Oct. 20 (time TBD)
Conference semifinals
Wednesday, Oct. 23 (time TBD)
Wednesday, Oct. 23 (time TBD)
Thursday, Oct. 24 (time TBD)
Thursday, Oct. 24 (time TBD)
Conference finals
Tuesday, Oct. 29 (time TBD)
Wednesday, Oct. 30 (time TBD)
MLS Cup
Sunday, Nov. 10 (3 p.m. ET, ABC)