MLS Decision Day 2021: which teams have a chance to qualify for the playoffs?
After 33 league games in the 2021 campaign, the curtain is set to fall in the final round of the regular MLS season with play-off places on the line.
Six post season play-off places are still on the line as we head into the 34th and final match-day of the regular 2021 MLS season with all games in both conferences starting simultaneously on Sunday next.
2020 MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew one of the teams with a chance of progressing but the Ohio franchise will need to win their clash against Chicago and cross fingers that other results go their way.
Eastern Conference situation
Only three play-off places remain with six clubs vying for post season action: Atlanta (48 points), Orlando (48 points), New York (47 points), CF Montréal (46 points), D.C. United (44 points) and Columbus (44 points).
New York FC and Atlanta United failed to get secure a win last night that would have clinched their place on Wednesday after the two teams played out a goalless draw at Red Bull Arena. Montréal are still in the frame with a 2-0 win over Houston and a win on Sunday will see the Canadian side advance.
Atlanta United just need a single point to advance as they face FC Cincinnati and the stakes are high in the Montréal-Orlando City match-up with the winner progressing and a good enough for the Florida based franchise to move on. NY Red Bulls need at least a draw against Nashville with both 2020 winners Columbus and D.C. United needing to win and hope that other results go their way to advance.
Fixtures: All 3:30pm (ET) kick-off
Columbus Crew-Chicago Fire
Montreal-Orlando City
NYC-Philadelphia Union
Cincinnati-Atlanta United
Toronto FC-DC United
Nashville SC-NY Red Bulls
New England Revolution-Inter Miami
Western Conference situation
There are three places on the line too with five teams battling to maintain her season alive: Minnesota (48 points), Vancouver (48 points), LA Galaxy (47 points), Salt Lake (45 points) and LAFC (45 points) are still hopeful of advancing.
Vancouver need just a point to make the playoffs, while LAFC need a win and some help elsewhere. Like the Canadian side, both the LA Galaxy and the 'Loons' are in charge of their own fate with R.Salt Lake now needing a victory at Sporting Kansas City on the last day of the regular campaign.
Fixtures: All 6:00pm (ET) kick-off
San Jose-Dallas FC
Sporting KC-Real Salt Lake
LA Galaxy-Minnesota
Colorado Rapids-LAFC
Portland Timbers-Austin FC
Vancouver-Seattle Sounders