When New York City FC play DC United tonight at Audi Field, a trip to the postseason will be on the line. But New York City don’t control their own fate: Those NYCFC playoff hopes hinge on the results among other Eastern Conference teams.
NYCFC climbed to eighth place last weekend but fell to tenth place after the midweek games. They sit on 38 points after 32 games, which places them just outside the playoff zone.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race:
Maximum Points by Team
Place | Team | GP | Points | Max. Points |
8 | Chicago Fire | 32 | 40 | 46 |
9 | CF Montréal | 32 | 38 | 44 |
10 | NYCFC | 32 | 38 | 44 |
11 | DC United | 33 | 37 | 40 |
12 | New Jersey Red Bulls | 32 | 37 | 43 |
13 | Charlotte FC | 31 | 36 | 45 |
14 | Inter Miami | 31 | 33 | 42 |
A NYCFC win in DC, plus losses by Chicago Fire and CF Montréal, could see New York City climb back into eighth place.
But the other teams at the bottom of the table shouldn’t be counted out. Chicago are suddenly dangerous after dismantling Inter Miami, the New Jersey Red Bulls are winning against the odds, and Charlotte just earned a win over Toronto while still having three games to play.
Eastern Conference Playoff Race:
Team Form Over Last 5 Games
Place | Team | Points | GF | GA | GD |
8 | Chicago Fire | 8 | 7 | 6 | + 1 |
9 | CF Montréal | 3 | 3 | 9 | - 6 |
10 | NYCFC | 9 | 7 | 2 | + 5 |
11 | DC United | 3 | 6 | 11 | - 5 |
12 | New Jersey Red Bulls | 8 | 8 | 6 | +2 |
13 | Charlotte FC | 5 | 6 | 7 | - 1 |
14 | Inter Miami | 5 | 7 | 6 | + 1 |
But NYCFC need for those teams to continue to stumble. One win by Montréal, DC United, or Chicago Fire, and NYCFC will drop in the table.
Here are the Eastern Conference games that matter most, and the results that serve NYCFC best.
• CF Montréal vs Portland Timbers
Stade Saputo, 7:30 pm ET
Best Result: Portland win
Montréal CF salvaged their midweek matchup against the Houston Dynamo with a 90+6′ goal that evened the score, and that put the team ahead of NYCFC on the table.
Now they host a Portland Timbers that have charged up the Western Conference table into seventh place with a red-hot run of form: Portland have taken 13 out of 15 points in their most recent five games, and are riding a seven-game undefeated streak that stretches back to the end of August.
Montréal will end the season playing Columbus Crew on the road.
- The good: Portland are a scoring machine, with 12 goals in their last 15 games
- The bad: Montréal are a cornered animal, and will fight like one
• Inter Miami vs FC Cincinnati
DRV PNK Stadium, 7:30 pm ET
Best Result: Cincinnati win
Everything is set for FC Cincinnati to officially end Inter Miami’s playoff hopes today.
After a Miami that was without Lionel Messi lost to Chicago Fire midweek, they’re now on the edge of elimination: A Cincinnati win combined with a win by NYCFC, Montréal, DC United or the New Jersey Red Bulls will knock out the Boys in Pink.
Miami will end the season in a home-and-away series with Charlotte FC.
- The good: A Messi-less Miami couldn’t beat Chicago are going to struggle against Cincinnati
- The bad: Cincinnati managed to lose to the Red Bulls on Wednesday, and might rest players now that they won the Supporters’ Shield
• New Jersey Red Bulls vs Toronto FC
Red Bull Arena, 7:30 pm ET
Best Result: A miraculous Toronto win
An insurgent New Jersey Red Bulls kept their playoff hopes alive after an impressive midweek road win over league-leading Cincinnati. They now have two against-the-odds wins in their last three games, and one against-the-odds loss at home to Chicago.
Which Red Bulls will show up today? The one that finds a way to score goals and win? Or the one that can’t find the back of the net and give away results?
The Red Bulls will end the season playing Nashville SC on the road.
- The good: If anybody is going to lose to Toronto, it’s New Jersey
- The bad: These Red Bulls are finding their form at a dangerous time
• Chicago Fire vs Charlotte FC
Soldier Field, 8:30 pm ET
Best Result: Charlotte win or a draw
This could be the most consequential game for NYCFC tonight.
If Chicago win, they could make the playoffs even if they lose next week. If Charlotte win, they will have the highest maximum points possible of the clubs vying for the postseason. If both teams draw, Chicago will end the night in the playoff zone but could be eliminated by NYCFC on Decision Day.
Both teams pose a threat to NYCFC. A Charlotte win will defang Chicago, who are suddenly the most dangerous team at the bottom of the table. A draw will wound them both, but hurt Charlotte more.
Charlotte will end the season in a home-and-away series with Miami.
Chicago will end the season playing NYCFC at Citi Field.
- The good: Chicago have a mediocre home record of 6 wins, 5 draws, 6 losses
- The bad: Charlotte have only one win in seven games, and that was at home against Toronto
