By: Joey Pumo

The MLS season is coming to a close which means it is crunch time for most teams. In MLS, the season consists of 34 regular season games and a 14 team playoff. Currently, not every single team has the same amount of games left. Teams are ranging from 3-1 games left. The teams that have qualified are New England Revolution, Nashville SC, Sporting KC, Seattle Sounders, and Colorado Rapids. This is how I see the rest playing out:

From the East I see Philadelphia Union, New York City FC, Orlando City SC, Atlanta United, and Montreal CF. All of these teams are within 7 points of each other. Atlanta United is in hot form, and with 3 games left play two teams who are already eliminated. I think they are a guaranteed. Philadelphia Union I think will finish out the season strong, they have the most points out of the teams listed so they have the most room for error. Orlando and NYCFC will also be qualifying earning enough points to keep their spots. Montreal I believe will be the final team to qualify. I think they have the players in form and the better schedule. It’ll be difficult but Djordje Milhailovic will be the man to help them get them where they want to be.

From the West I see Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, LAFC, and Vancouver. There are less spots available in the east for a playoff spot. Portland will make the playoffs. They are in good form and are hot from their last game. If they keep this momentum they could make a run in the playoffs. LA Galaxy and LAFC both have high expectations, I think they have too much star power to keep them out of the playoffs. Vancouver will be the final team to qualify. Brian White has been in good form and will be the key to the Whitecaps qualifying in the West.

There is a lot at stake for these teams in these final weeks. There is not much room for error and these games will be entertaining and filled with passion. I cannot wait to see how these games play out.