Coming out of the October international break, MLS is entering the highest-stakes portion of the 2021 regular season.
Here's the Week 30 outlook for teams that can do everything from secure a top-four seed in a competitive Western Conference to find themselves out of Audi MLS Cup Playoffs contention if a series of outcomes conspire against them.
Two teams already in the playoff conversation can make it official even if they don't win their Week 30 matches.
RELATED:
- Playoff Bracket
- Playoff Schedule
- Standings (use the "Live") button for live standings
Kansas City will clinch a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:
- Kansas City win or tie vs. Vancouver
Seattle will clinch a top-four seed in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:
- Seattle win or tie vs. Houston
UPDATE: Houston defeated Seattle on October 16.
Colorado will clinch a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:
- Colorado win vs. Salt Lake
UPDATE: Salt Lake defeated Colorado on October 16.
Toronto will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
- Toronto lose vs. Atlanta
UPDATE: Toronto lost to Atlanta on October 16 and were eliminated from playoff contention.
Chicago will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
- Chicago lose or tie vs. New England
UPDATE: Chicago tied New England on October 16 and were eliminated from playoff contention.
Austin will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
- Austin lose vs. Minnesota AND
- Salt Lake win vs. Colorado AND
- LA win vs. Portland
UPDATE: Austin lost to Minnesota, Salt Lake defeated Colorado, and LA defeated Portland on October 16 - Austin were eliminated from playoff contention.
Houston will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
- Houston lose vs. Seattle
or if the following teams win:
- Real Salt Lake win vs. Colorado Rapids AND
- LA Galaxy win vs. Portland Timbers AND
- Minnesota United FC win vs. Austin FC AND
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC win vs. Sporting Kansas City
UPDATE: Salt Lake defeated Colorado, LA defeated Portland, Minnesota defeated Austin, and Vancouver defeated Kansas City - Houston were eliminated from playoff contention.
