Playoff Scenarios

Who can clinch playoffs or be eliminated in MLS Week 32

There are only four more matchdays left in the 2021 season and teams are starting to lock in Audi MLS Cup Playoff spots.

At the top of the standings, New England Revolution can clinch the Supporters' Shield with a win or if Seattle Sounders lose or tie. New England are also chasing the record for most points in a single season.

Sporting Kansas City, Colorado Rapids and Nashville SC can clinch a playoff spot during this weekend's action. Kansas City and Colorado can also clinch a top-four seed in the Western Conference.

At the other end, San Jose Earthquakes can be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention if they lose and some other teams win.

RELATED:

New England will clinch the 2021 Supporters' Shield IF:

  • New England win vs. Orlando

or SEA lose/tie:

  • Seattle lose or tie vs. Kansas City

UPDATE: Kansas City defeated Seattle on Oct. 23 - New England clinched the Supporters' Shield

Nashville will clinch a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

  1. Nashville win vs. Philadelphia AND
  2. Montréal lose vs. Toronto

or:

  1. Nashville win vs. Philadelphia AND
  2. New York lose or tie vs. Columbus

or:

  1. Nashville win vs. Philadelphia AND
  2. New York City lose or tie vs. D.C.

UPDATE: Nashville lost to Philadelphia - Nashville did not clinch a spot in the playoffs during MLS Week 32.

Kansas City will clinch a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

  • Kansas City win vs. Seattle

UPDATE: Kansas City defeated Seattle on Oct. 23 - Kansas City clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Kansas City will clinch a top-four seed in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

  1. ✓ Kansas City win vs. Seattle AND
  2. ✗ LA lose vs. Dallas AND
  3. ✓ Minnesota lose or tie vs. LAFC AND
  4. ✓ Portland lose or tie vs. Colorado

or:

  1. ✓ Kansas City win vs. Seattle AND
  2. ✗ LA lose vs. Dallas AND
  3. ✓ Minnesota lose or tie vs. LAFC AND
  4. ✓ Salt Lake lose vs. Chicago

UPDATE: LA tied Dallas on Oct. 23 - Kansas City cannot clinch a top-four seed during MLS Week 32.

Colorado will clinch a berth in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

  • Colorado win vs. Portland

UPDATE: Colorado defeated Portland on Oct. 23 - Colorado clinched a spot in the playoffs.

Colorado will clinch a top-four seed in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs IF:

  • ✓ Colorado win vs. Portland AND
  • ✗ LA lose vs. Dallas AND
  • ✓ Minnesota lose or tie vs. LAFC AND
  • ✓ Vancouver lose or tie vs. San Jose

UPDATE: LA tied Dallas on Oct. 23 - Colorado cannot clinch a top-four seed during MLS Week 32.

San Jose will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:

  1. San Jose lose vs. Vancouver AND
  2. Minnesota win vs. LAFC

or:

  1. San Jose lose vs. Vancouver AND
  2. Salt Lake win vs. Chicago

UPDATE: Salt Lake lost to Chicago and Minnesota tied LAFC on Oct. 23 - San Jose cannot be eliminated from playoff contention during MLS Week 32.