We are over halfway through the 2018 season and the playoff picture is beginning to sort itself out.
Seven teams are fighting for the Supporters' Shield (ATL, DAL, NYC, LAFC, RBNY, POR, SKC) and there's few teams (SJ? COL?) that have seen their playoff hopes completely dissipate. D.C. United are 13 points out of playoff positioning, but they have 15 matches to make up the ground at Audi Field.
One major factor in determining who will make the playoffs is the difficulty of each team's remaining schedule. United figure to have one of the easiest, given the amount of matches they have left at home.
Below you'll find the complete table of each team's strength of schedule, calculated by taking the 2018 average points per game at home and on the road for each team's opponent. A higher number means the schedule is more difficult, while a lower one means it's easier.
The New England Revolution are looking like a good bet to make the playoffs in the East, averaging the fourth-most points per game, but have the toughest schedule in the league the rest of the way. Their remaining schedule includes trips to both New York teams, Real Salt Lake (the best home team in MLS), LAFC and Atlanta.
Some more good news for teams battling to make the playoffs in the East (especially Montreal) is that the Chicago Fire have the second-toughest schedule in the league. Toronto FC and Philadelphia also have schedules in the top five toughest.
Atlanta's schedule is the easiest the rest of the way, which is at least partly why FiveThirtyEight.com has them as clear favorites to win the Shield. LAFC also look like they are in good position to finish first in the West.
