In search of their third MLS Cup championship in club history, the Quakes must first finish the season above the red line as one of the top six teams in the Western Conference. The Quakes are currently sitting in sixth place (44 pts.) in the West, level on points with Portland, but ahead on tiebreaker, with two games to go.
Earthquakes fans would be wise to know what’s going on around the rest of Major League Soccer and to be privy to the club’s rooting interests.
This is a very light week, with four total matchups taking place, and just two matchups with relevance to the Earthquakes playoff aspirations.
What to watch for this week/weekend in relevant matches:
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7
FC Dallas at Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7:00 p.m. PT)
This is a battle of two Western Conference clubs near the top of the table. San Jose can still mathematically catch Vancouver, who sit five points ahead, should they win both of their remaining matches and Whitecaps FC fall in all three of theirs. FC Dallas is already six points up and hold any tiebreaker by winning three more matches to date. Root for FC Dallas.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10
Montreal Impact at Colorado Rapids (3:00 p.m. PT)
This game has no direct impact on San Jose’s playoff chances as it features an Eastern Conference club and a West team that has already been eliminated. However, Colorado is squaring off with Portland and Sporting Kansas City, two direct competitors of the Quakes, following this match, so it might be a good thing for them to get on a bit of a roll. Root for Colorado.
BEST CASE SCENARIO STANDINGS ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 12
1. FC Dallas – 53 (16-10-5, 31 GP)
2. LA Galaxy – 51 (14-9-9, 32 GP)
3. Vancouver Whitecaps FC – 49 (15-13-4, 32 GP)
4. Sporting Kansas City – 48 (13-9-19, 31 GP)
5. Seattle Sounders – 47 (14-13-5, 32 GP)
6. San Jose Earthquakes – 44 (12-12-8, 32 GP)
7. Portland Timbers – 44 (12-11-8, 31 GP)
8. Houston Dynamo – 41 (11-13-8, 32 GP)
9. Real Salt Lake – 41 (11-12-8, 31 GP)
10. Colorado Rapids – 37 (9-13-10, 32 GP)
