Playoff Scenarios

Who can clinch playoffs or be eliminated in MLS Week 30

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:

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.