There's been a business-like demeanor to LAFC this past week. After clinching a playoff spot with a 3-0 win over Colorado, the players and coaches have a renewed focus. With three matches left to play, LAFC isn't done dreaming.
"Six points are vital in these two games for us to achieve what we want to at the end of the regular season, so we'll be ready to go," Benny Feilhaber said this week after being asked what clinching a playoff spot meant.
A veteran of the MLS Cup Playoffs, Feilhaber knows exactly where the Club wants to be when all is said and done in the regular season.
LAFC is level on points with Sporting KC and just four points back of FC Dallas for the top spot in the Western Conference. The top two spots in each conference get a bye in the first round of the playoffs and the advantage of hosting the first leg of the second round. Behind Sporting KC by just goal differential, LAFC has one of those spots in its sights.
So that's three teams in search of two spots. Looking at the schedules of the three teams over the final stretch, you can see just how important points are in the next three:
LAFC
10/12 vs. Houston Dynamo
10/21 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
10/28 at Sporting KC
Sporting KC
10/17 vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
10/21 at FC Dallas
10/28 vs. LAFC
FC Dallas
10/17 at D.C. United
10/21 vs Sporting KC
10/28 at Colorado Rapids
Sporting KC away to FC Dallas on Oct. 21 is going to have huge ramifications on the top two spots in the conference. And so could the last day of the season when LAFC travels to face Sporting KC. But it all starts with the six points Feilhaber mentioned.
With two matches at home, LAFC know only the maximum points will do. Taking full points puts pressure on Dallas at the top and could even clinch the second spot before the Black & Gold head to face Sporting KC. Add in the bonus of breaking the 1998 Chicago Fire's record of 56 points in an inaugural season and LAFC have it all to play for.
Clinching was nice, but LAFC wants more.
