Two matches remain in the 2018 MLS regular season. Eight teams have clinched a playoff spot headed into this weekend's matches - including LAFC. The remaining four teams could be known by as early as Sunday evening.
And still, chaos could reign.
For example, LAFC currently sits in a virtual tie for second in the Western Conference with Sporting KC on 56 points - goal differential is the only thing separating the two sides. But the Black & Gold could fall to as low as fifth in the conference with the right combination of results. While the current fifth-place team, Portland, theoretically still has a chance of being top of the conference when all is said and done.
Or the Timbers could fail to make the playoffs altogether. See what I mean?
To keep the math to a minimum, let's just take a look at the playoff picture for the top three teams ahead of this weekend. Here are the final two matches for the Western Conference's top three:
LAFC
vs Vancouver Whitecaps 10/21
at Sporting KC 10/28
FC Dallas
vs Sporting KC 10/21
at Colorado Rapids 10/28
Sporting KC
at FC Dallas 10/21
vs LAFC 10/28
Two matches standout: Sporting KC at FC Dallas on Sunday and LAFC at Sporting KC on the last day of the season.
Because all three sides can't win out, there's likely to be some movement at the top of the conference in the next two matches. And Sporting KC has the toughest run-in to the season with matches against the first and third in the conference currently.
As it stands, it looks as though only maximum points plus a little help from SKC would result in LAFC taking the top spot in the conference. Any result other than an FC Dallas win opens the door for LAFC. Maximum points over the last two matches aren't necessarily imperative for LAFC to secure the second spot though. If LAFC drops points against Vancouver on Sunday, that match at SKC on the final day becomes a do-or-die to reach one of the two first-round byes to start the playoffs.
We'll have a better idea of LAFC's playoff picture following this weekend's match. But chaos could still be lurking come the final day of the season.
One thing is assured though: take maximum points from the next two and a first-round bye is in the bag.
