There won't be a shortage of drama, stakes and intensity on Decision Day presented by AT&T this Sunday (4:30 pm ET) with so many races coming down to the wire.
Some crucial positions are still up for grabs, including the Supporters' Shield, sixth place and home Knockout Round games in both conferences, as well as the top of West. No one knows exactly what's going to happen this weekend, but that has never stopped anyone from trying to forecast the future.
FiveThirtyEight ran their simulations as well.
Game |
Home win |
Draw |
Away win |
|---|---|---|---|
LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo |
64 pct |
19 pct |
17 pct |
FiveThirtyEight give the LA Galaxy a 64 percent probability of beating the Houston Dynamo at home, and in turn, securing the West's final playoff place. With Real Salt Lake the odd team out this weekend, the Galaxy need a win to get in; anything less and RSL hold onto that playoff spot.
| Game | Home win | Draw | Away win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Crew SC vs Minnesota United | 69 pct | 20 pct | 12 pct |
| New England Revolution vs Montreal Impact | 45 pct | 26 pct | 29 pct |
In the East, the Crew need a win at home against Minnesota, which 538 expects them to get (69 pct). But, if they drop points and the Impact beat the Revolution on the road, then it's Montreal who will make the playoffs. They have only a 29 pct probably of winning in Foxboro, and need help in the Crew's game, rendering that scenario possible, but unlikely.
| Game | Home win | Draw | Away win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto FC vs Atlanta United | 34 pct | 24 pct | 42 pct |
| New York Red Bulls vs Orlando City SC | 83 pct | 12 pct | 4 pct |
As for the top of the league, FiveThirtyEight doesn't think Atlanta should be banking on any favors in their bid for the Shield, given that the Red Bulls have an 83 pct likelihood to beat Orlando City at Red Bull Arena. ATLUTD are on the road at Toronto and are slight favorites (42 pct), but would need all three points to lift the Shield if the Red Bulls take care of business at home.
The simulation expects two teams to break the league's record for points in a season, as the Red Bulls need a win to eclipse Toronto's mark of 69 points set last season, while ATL needs just one point to pass and 538 puts their chances at 68 pct.
| Game | Home win | Draw | Away win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Fire vs D.C. United | 44 pct | 24 pct | 31 pct |
| New York City FC vs Philadelphia Union | 60 pct | 23 pct | 18 pct |
Staying in the East, D.C. United's magical second-half run may culminate with a home playoff game if things go their way on Sunday. They'll need at least a point on the road against the Fire for that to be possible, though 538 doesn't love their chances on the road, giving them a 31 pct chance for a win and 24 pct for a draw.
The two teams they're jostling with for a home Knockout Round game face each other Sunday as NYCFC host Philly. FiveThirtyEight fancies NYCFC to get only their second win since mid-August, which would be enough to hold onto third place.
| Game | Home win | Draw | Away win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sporting Kansas City vs LAFC | 63 pct | 21 pct | 16 pct |
| Colorado Rapids vs FC Dallas | 32 pct | 27 pct | 41 pct |
| Seattle Sounders vs San Jose Earthquakes | 69 pct | 19 pct | 12 pct |
As for the top of the West, a few different scenarios can play out. The winner of SKC vs LAFC would win the conference (SKC outright, LAFC on goal difference, barring an incredible swing of GD from Dallas). If there's a draw, SKC are more than likely to top the conference on GD, even if Dallas wins and levels their point total.
Meanwhile, Seattle can't win the conference, but they can earn a first-round bye. They need a win and some help ahead of them to climb from fourth place into second.
