The Earthquakes are still alive despite a weekend that didn’t go exactly as planned.
Looking around the Western Conference, the Earthquakes’ playoff push was aided by draws between LA and Real Salt Lake (3-3 on Wed.) and Sporting Kansas City and Houston (3-3 on Fri.), but took a hit when both Portland (1-0 vs. RSL) and Vancouver (3-1 vs. CLB) earned three points.
Heading into this weekend, the Quakes can undo a bit of the damage that last weekend’s home draw against Seattle caused. Make no mistake about it though, San Jose still has an opportunity if they can get on a roll for the final seven matches.
Western Conference Standings
1. FC Dallas – 51 (29 GP, 15-8-6)
2. LA Galaxy – 47 (29 GP, 11-4-14)
3. Colorado Rapids – 46 (27 GP, 12-5-10)
4. Real Salt Lake – 44 (29 GP, 12-9-8)
5. Sporting Kansas City – 39 (29 GP, 11-12-6)
6. Portland Timbers – 38 (29 GP, 10-11-8)
7. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 34 (29 GP, 9-13-7)
8. San Jose Earthquakes – 33 (27 GP, 7-8-12)
9. Seattle Sounders FC – 32 (27 GP, 9-13-5)
10. Houston Dynamo – 26 (27 GP, 5-11-11)
Saturday, September 17
Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Seattle Sounders FC – 1:00 p.m. PT
Best-case scenario: Vancouver and Seattle draw, preventing either team from making a big leap in the points column.
Reasons for optimism: Both teams are evenly matched, with just two points separating them in the standings. No team has lost more home games than Seattle’s five (7-5-1), which is surprising since the team draws so well.
Philadelphia Union at Portland Timbers – 3:00 p.m. PT
Best-case scenario: Philadelphia takes three points from Portland for obvious reasons.
Reasons for optimism: The Union are 3-2-1 in their last six games and have earned points in three of their last four road matches (2-1-1).
FC Dallas at New York City FC – 4:00 p.m. PT
Best-case scenario: New York City earns a win to keep points out of the Western Conference.
Reasons for optimism: Both teams are 2-2-1 in their last five games, so they carry similar form heading into Saturday’s match.
Houston Dynamo at Real Salt Lake – 6:30 p.m. PT
Best-case scenario: Houston defeats RSL to keep the home side from pulling away from San Jose in the standings.
Reasons for optimism: The Dynamo have lost just once in their last five games and are coming off a dramatic 3-3 draw on the road against Sporting Kansas City.
Sunday, September 18
LA Galaxy at Sporting Kansas City – 11:00 a.m. PT
Best-case scenario: As much as it will pain Quakes fans, a Galaxy win would be best for San Jose’s playoff chances. Sporting is currently six points up on the Earthquakes, while having played two more games.
Reasons for optimism: LA carry a five-game unbeaten streak into Sunday’s match (2-0-3), while KC has been struggling to maintain form (1-2-2).
