MLS playoffs: who’s in and who’s out as Deadline Day looms

MLS’s Deadline Day is set for 21 October and is the final wrap in the regular season. As things stand, there are still a number of issues to be resolved with most teams having just two games left in the 2023 season and incredibly only two teams (one per conference) in Colorado Rapids and Toronto FC having nothing but pride left to play for as playoff/wild card places are still a possibility for the other contenders.

With the major global spotlight this midweek shining on Chicago’s Soldier Field for the Fire vs Miami clash, five teams in the Western Conference went about their business and secured their places in the post season.

Eastern Conference

All seven automatic play off places in the Eastern Conference have been filled for some time with Nashville SC the final side to lock down a place and join the top six in post season.

The battle for the two wild card places is set to go to the wire as seven teams eye both spots. With their win over Inter Miami, Chicago Fire have put themselves in a strong position with the side from Illinois on 40 points with two games to play. NYCFC and Montreal are the other well placed sides in contention to scoop a wild card place although DC United, NY Red Bulls, Charlotte and Inter Miami are all in with an outside chance of keeping their respectve seasons alive.

Western Conference

The playoff scenario in the Western Conference is now considerably clearer after this midweek round with St Louis SC previously the only team mathematically through to the playoffs.

Wednesday’s results see the side from Missouri joined by Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Real Salt Lake, Vancouver and Houston with one final playoff space and the two wild card spots still up for grabs.

Portland, Dallas and San Jose are the three teams poised to secure the final places with Austin, Sporting KC, Minnesota and the LA Galaxy outside bets to progress.