Minnesota United has spent the entire 2019 season above the playoff line, and can clinch its first-ever appearance in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs as early as Sunday evening. If the Loons can get a win in Portland and gets some help from results around the league they will book their ticket to the postseason for the first time in their MLS history.
There are two scenarios that can get the Loons in the MLS Cup Playoffs:
MNUFC wins at Portland AND
FC Dallas loses or ties vs. NYCFC
OR
MNUFC wins at Portland AND
San Jose Earthquakes lose at Atlanta United
The opportunity could be set up in the opening game of the weekend with the Quakes heading to Hotlanta. Poor results on the road have caused San Jose to fall in the standings over the past month, while Atlanta has hit its stride late in the year. Atlanta stumbled with a 3-1 loss to Columbus Crew SC in its last home contest, but will be hungry to get back on course in the clash with San Jose.
However, San Jose CAN still pass Minnesota on points, but would have to eliminate the Timbers to do so.
If that falls through, the game immediately after the Loons will determine their fate. Dallas has an uphill battle against Eastern Conference leaders NYCFC, despite being very good at Toyota Stadium this season. NYC is rolling in on a seven-game unbeaten streak, with two of those results being road wins.
But none of that matters without MNUFC taking care of business at Providence Park, where it has yet to claim a point. Back-to-back wins at home against the Timbers back in early August will give the team confidence, but both of those games were in the fortress that is Allianz Field. Away wins are hard to come by in MLS, where only about 25% of points are taken on the road.
MNUFC has defied the odds before, opening the season with a handful of big away wins and handing LAFC its first home loss of the year a few weeks ago. They’ll need to recreate that against the Timbers to take control of their playoff destiny.
Check out the schedule of the playoff scenario games below:
Saturday, September 21
Atlanta United vs. San Jose Earthquakes
2:30 p.m. CT | Univision, TUDN, Twitter
Sunday, September 22
Portland Timbers vs. Minnesota United FC
3:00 p.m. CT | ESPN
FC Dallas vs. NYCFC
5:00 p.m. CT | Univision, TUDN, Twitter
