Eight months of MLS action, 33 games played and somehow it all comes down to one Saturday night. The Western Conference playoff race has turned into a game of musical chairs, with six teams fighting for just three remaining spots. Unfortunately, nobody gets to keep the seat just because they had a good season.
Among the biggest games on the schedule is LA Galaxy’s trip to Real Salt Lake, a matchup that could determine whether one of MLS’s most decorated franchises gets another shot at the MLS Cup or starts planning for next season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 7, with the Galaxy knowing exactly what they need: a win guarantees their place in the playoffs. Anything else could leave their fate in the hands of other teams.
LA Galaxy need their new attacking spark
There is an interesting subplot involving Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano, who’s become an important attacking option for Galaxy and making his presence felt after a complicated departure from San Diego FC.
The Mexican winger has two goals and two assists in nine appearances for Los Angeles. Even more encouragingly, all four goal contributions have come in his last six games. He scored against San Diego FC, his former club, and followed that up with another goal against Austin FC. He also registered assists against Seattle Sounders and New England Revolution.
Now, with a playoff spot on the line, the Galaxy will need that version of Chucky again.
There is also a personal motivation for the former Napoli and PSV player. Lozano was not included in Rafael Márquez’s latest Mexico squad for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Jamaica. That absence puts his international future back in the conversation, making these final MLS performances particularly important if he hopes to return to El Tri’s plans.
Still, the immediate priority is Los Angeles. Getting the Galaxy into the postseason would be a significant achievement after a turbulent campaign, and Lozano has an opportunity to be one of the players who makes it happen.
MLS Western Conference: six teams, three spots
The numbers explain why Saturday could be one of the most entertaining nights of the MLS season. The seventh through ninth playoff spots are still up for grabs, and six teams are still in contention.
LA Galaxy sit at the top of the group with 44 points. Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders have 43, Real Salt Lake have 42, and Minnesota United are just behind with 41.
That’s a one-win difference between the first and last teams in the race. There is very little separating a playoff celebration from an early vacation.
The Galaxy have the advantage of knowing that a victory against Real Salt Lake would settle the matter, at least for seventh place. RSL, meanwhile, have the opportunity to make life considerably more difficult for their visitors while also putting themselves into a good position.
The other contenders will also be watching the scoreboard closely, although nobody can afford to spend too much time looking at it instead of playing.
Other games that could change everything
Decision Day will feature simultaneous kickoffs for the Western Conference teams involved in the playoff battle. Here are the matchups to follow:
- Real Salt Lake vs. LA Galaxy
- Seattle Sounders vs. LAFC
- Austin FC vs. Portland Timbers
- FC Dallas vs. Colorado Rapids
- Minnesota United vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Minnesota arrive with renewed confidence after defeating LAFC 3-1, thanks in part to a brace from Argentine midfielder Joaquín Pereyra.
Portland also have momentum following their 3-1 victory over Houston Dynamo, in which David Da Costa scored once and provided an assist.
Both teams have given themselves a fighting chance, but they will need to deliver again and hope the results elsewhere fall in their favor.
For Seattle and Colorado, the situation is equally delicate. One slip could completely change the standings, especially with so little separating all six clubs.
Where to watch MLS Decision Day
All five Western Conference playoff-race matchups will be played on Saturday, November 7, at 7 p.m. ET and broadcast on Apple TV.
The Galaxy’s visit to Real Salt Lake is arguably the headline fixture, but fans will have plenty of reasons to keep multiple scoreboards open. By the end of the night, three teams will celebrate their place in the postseason, while the others will be left wondering how an entire season came down to a few points.
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Alejandro Orellana is an accomplished sports journalist based in Mexico City, known for his incisive coverage of Club América and the Mexican National Team. A graduate of Journalism from Escuela de Periodismo Carlos Septien García, Alejandro brings a deep understanding of sports media to his work. His expertise extends to SEO and content creation, allowing him to produce engaging and discoverable sports narratives. He has contributed as a freelance writer for Goal.com, where he notably conducted interviews with MLS players, further showcasing his comprehensive interviewing skills. Prior to this, Alejandro dedicated five years to ESPN’s production department, contributing to renowned shows including SportsCenter, Futbol Picante, and NFL Live. His insightful articles can be found on platforms such as Deportrece and Hooligan Soccer. Connect with Alejandro on @soyalexorellana and Tik Tok to stay updated with his latest work. His commitment to journalistic integrity ensures every piece offers valuable and trustworthy insights for sports enthusiasts.
