Take a deep breath. It’s time for the international break, and everyone (except for the LA Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders — surprise!) gets to relax.
Let’s take stock of where we stand: Six teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, six teams have clinched playoff spots, LAFC has clinched the No. 1 seed in the West and three teams have a chance to win the Supporters Shield.
That leaves only a few hundred permutations of ways for the season to finish. That break could not have come at a better time, but before we all try to reset our overwhelmed brains, let’s rank some teams.
– MLS on ESPN+: Stream LIVE games, replays (U.S.)
– Soccer on ESPN+: FC Daily | Futbol Americas
Previous ranking: 1
Next MLS match: Oct. 1 vs. Charlotte, 5:30 p.m. ET
They … didn’t … score? That’s allowed? Of course, they also kept a clean sheet, so they came back from Atlanta with a point.
Previous ranking: 2
Next MLS match: Oct. 1 vs. D.C., 7:30 p.m. ET
It shouldn’t be so hard to beat Chicago and New England, but we’re at the “wow, you didn’t win by more while clinching a top-two seed?” stage in Montreal’s rise. Let’s fast-forward to the playoffs and see these guys cook.
Previous ranking: 3
Next MLS match: Oct. 2 vs. Portland, 3 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN Deportes
A draw in Minnesota and a win over Houston have the Black and Gold in the pole position for the Shield with two weeks to go, but do you trust them to win their last two and hold off Philly?
Previous ranking: 5
Next MLS match: Oct. 1 vs. Vancouver, 10 p.m. ET
They limited Hany Mukhtar to just one goal this time around and got a point for their efforts.
Previous ranking: 4
Next MLS match: Oct. 1 vs. Colorado, 3:30 p.m. ET
After a season full of games in which it controlled things but couldn’t close it out for full points, Dallas went to San Jose and stole a point in a match that it spent on its heels. Look at Dallas adding a fun new tool to its belt.
Previous ranking: 8
Next MLS match: Oct. 2 vs….
Source : espn
