Week 30’s movers and shakers in the 2018 MLS playoff race

As we close on the upcoming Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs, each week’s results are amplified and the emotional swings feel more fluid, tending toward the extreme over the everyday. Here’s how Week 30 shook out for the key players.

Supporters’ Shield

At the top of the table, Atlanta United rolled to a 2-0 victory that kept them four points clear of the Supporters’ Shield standings over the New York Red Bulls, who had beaten once-proud league champions Toronto FC by a 2-0 margin earlier in the day. The two trophy-chasing clubs will meet up a week from Sunday (1pm ET | ESPN – Full TV & streaming info) in a nationally televised contest that essentially decides the Shield if Atlanta claim three away points at Red Bull Arena.

Either way, Atlanta’s Saturday victory paired with an NYCFC draw vs. Montreal to clinch a Knockout Round bye. On to the semifinals.

Eastern Conference

Most notably, New York City FC missed a chance to clinch their third-straight playoff appearance — a win vs. the Montreal Impact would’ve done the trick. On the flipside of the result, Montreal could’ve put further distance between them and playoff line chasers D.C. United, who hang five points back with a pair of games in hand. 

• Columbus Crew SC took the points against Colorado, 2-1, to maintain their hold on hosting a home game during the Knockout Round.
• The New England Revolution drew to keep within chasing distance of Montreal (five points back, one game in hand).
• Toronto’s loss leaves them further dependent on other results as they chase the sixth seed.
• Down at the foot, Orlando City SC and the Chicago Fire earned a one-week reprieve with Montreal’s tie.

Western Conference

Toward the top, LAFC kept pace with the leaders, pulling even with FC Dallas and within a point of Sporting Kansas City, who play Philadelphia on Sunday (1pm ET | ESPN – full TV & streaming info). That precedes FCD’s capper against Vancouver (7pm ET | TSN – full TV & streaming info). The race for the byes is real.

• Portland had a chance to join the crowded plateau at the peak, but instead find themselves tottering after a 3-2 loss in Minnesota, with Seattle a Sunday victory from snagging their current claim to a home game during the Knockout Round. The Sounders host the LA Galaxy (7pm ET | FS1 – Full TV & streaming info)
• Real Salt Lake put up a strong challenge in Atlanta, but fell and remain mired in the back of the playoff pack, five clear of the line, but two off of fourth and the crucial home game that comes with it.
• Minnesota‘s win staved off elimination for another week.
• Houston drew Orlando, but RSL’s loss kept them mathematically in the running.