The Houston Dynamo enter Decision Day, presented by AT&T, with a berth in the 2017 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs already secured, but there’s still plenty on the line for where the team ends up when the playoffs get started.
The Dynamo, currently in fifth place, have the opportunity to climb as high as third place with a win and some help on Sunday against the Chicago Fire (3 p.m. | TICKETS). What’s the importance of that? The third and fourth place teams get to host in the Knockout Round – a one-game, winner-take-all match to determine who goes into the Conference Semifinals.
Below are the scenarios for the Dynamo to reach either third or fourth place in the Western Conference. Note that the Dynamo must win for either to take place. If the Dynamo do not win or any other scenario takes place other than what’s outlined below, then they will finish in fifth place and travel to the fourth-place finisher for the Knockout Round (Dynamo cannot finish lower than fifth place).
Third place (host sixth place)
- Houston Dynamo WIN vs. Chicago Fire and…
- Seattle Sounders FC LOSE vs. Colorado Rapids and…
- Sporting Kansas City LOSE/TIE at Real Salt Lake
Fourth place (host fifth place)
- Houston Dynamo WIN vs. Chicago Fire and either…
- Seattle Sounders FC LOSE vs. Colorado Rapids or…
- Sporting Kansas City LOSE/TIE at Real Salt Lake
To repeat: the Dynamo must win and need at least a Seattle loss or Sporting KC loss or tie to host a Knockout Round match. If the Dynamo reach third place, they could host any of the following three teams: San Jose Earthquakes, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake. If the Dynamo finish in fourth, they could host either Seattle or Kansas City, while if they remain in fifth they could travel to Seattle, Kansas City, or Portland.
A win on Sunday is far from guaranteed, however, as the Dynamo’s opponents are also fighting for playoff position. The Chicago Fire are currently third in the Eastern Conference but can finish second and potentially secure a Knockout Round bye with a win or draw, depending on other results. They could also finish as low as fifth place with a loss and wins from the teams below them, so there’s plenty riding on their end.
In addition, forward Nemanja Nikolić is looking to wrap up his outstanding season with the MLS Golden Boot Award for scoring the most goals in the 2017 season. Nikolić has 24 goals on the year, and a healthy three-goal lead on second place Diego Valeri. That said, he surely wouldn’t mind bagging a few more to secure his prize and help his team’s position in the playoffs.
So though the drama of who’s in and who’s out of the playoffs will be missing on Sunday, there’s plenty to keep tabs on and more than enough motivations for the players and teams to go for all three points.
