In search of their third MLS Cup championship in club history, the Quakes must first finish the season above the red line as one of the top six teams in the Western Conference. The Quakes are currently sitting in seventh place (47 pts.) in the West, just one point below the red line, with one game to go.
- #DecisionDay: Viewing Party/Best Game Ever Sunday at Avaya Stadium
The highly competitive Western Conference is coming down to the final weekend as many expected. San Jose is still capable of finishing anywhere from 4 to 7 after picking up three crucial points against Sporting Kansas City on Friday night.
What to watch for this week/weekend in relevant matches:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
Colorado Rapids at Sporting Kansas City (5:30 p.m. PT)
A Sporting win in this mid-week matchup locks up a playoff for the U.S. Open Cup champions and drastically reduces the amount of scenarios in which San Jose is able to climb above the red line on Decision Day. Root Colorado.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25
Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders FC (4:00 p.m. PT)
Seattle is just one point ahead of San Jose at this point, so anything but a Sounders FC win is a great result. Root RSL.
LA Galaxy at Sporting Kansas City (4:00 p.m. PT)
If Sporting wins on Wednesday, this game becomes irrelevant. But if they don’t, Quakes fans will have to root for LA once again as a Galaxy win or draw gives San Jose hope. Root LA.
Colorado Rapids at Portland Timbers (4:00 p.m. PT)
Plain and simple, Portland automatically advances with anything but a loss. Root Colorado.
HOW THE EARTHQUAKES CAN ADVANCE:
The Quakes draw at FC Dallas AND
1. Sporting Kansas City loses both remaining matches (10/21 vs. COL; 10/25 vs. LA).
• San Jose and Sporting would finish level on points (48), but SJ would hold goal differential tiebreaker.
The Quakes win at FC Dallas AND
1. Sporting Kansas City loses both remaining matches (10/21 vs. COL; 10/25 vs. LA).
• San Jose would finish with 50 points to Sporting’s 48.
OR
2. Sporting Kansas City loses one and draws one of their remaining matches (10/21 vs. COL; 10/25 vs. LA).
• San Jose would finish with 50 points to Sporting’s 49.
OR
3. Sporting Kansas City draws both remaining matches (10/21 vs. COL; 10/25 vs. LA).
• San Jose and Sporting would finish level on points, but SJ would hold the wins tiebreaker (14-13).
OR
4. Portland Timbers lose their final match (10/25 vs. COL).
• San Jose and Portland would finish level on points (50), but SJ would hold the goal differential tiebreaker.
OR
5. Seattle Sounders FC loses their final match (10/25 vs. RSL).
• San Jose would finish with 50 points to Seattle’s 48.
OR
6. Seattle Sounders FC draws their final match (10/25 vs. RSL).
• San Jose would finish with 50 points to Seattle’s 49.
