On Sunday afternoon, the Seattle Sounders have a chance to secure the No. 2 seed in Western Conference for the 2019 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. A win at CenturyLink Field against Minnesota United would see the Rave Green vault the Loons into the coveted second spot in the standings.
Depending on how results around the league shakeout, the team could fall as far as fifth. Below is a collection of scenarios that would affect Seattle's playoff seeding.
The Sounders will finish second if:
- Seattle beats Minnesota
The Sounders will finish third if:
- Seattle draws Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy draw or lose to Houston OR
- Seattle loses to Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy draw or lose to Houston AND RSL draws or loses to Vancouver
The Sounders will finish fourth if:
- Seattle draws Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy beat Houston OR
- Seattle loses to Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy beat Houston AND RSL draws or loses to Vancouver OR
- Seattle loses to Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy draw or lose to Houston AND RSL beats Vancouver
The Sounders will finish fifth if:
- Seattle loses to Minnesota AND the LA Galaxy beat Houston AND RSL beats Vancouver
This season also marks the first iteration of the league’s new playoff format, where seven teams from each conference will qualify and each round features single-elimination matches. LAFC has already locked up the top seed in the Western Conference, which grants them a bye in the first round, while the three remaining teams in the top four will each host a home match in the opening round.
Three points on Sunday would see the Rave Green finish in the top two of the Western Conference for the third consecutive season.
