Real Salt Lake Hosts Vancouver Whitecaps With Playoff Seeding On Line
Oct 18, 2024, 3:51 PM
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
(Photo courtesy of Real Salt Lake)
SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake will host the Vancouver Whitecaps FC this weekend on Decision Day to cement their spot in the Western Conference playoff picture.
Real is guaranteed a top-four rank but if all goes their way, they could rise up to third.
Ready to face off against this foe #RSLvVAN | @EnglandLogistic pic.twitter.com/I4xJjkVVlp
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 18, 2024
Dreams Are Made, Crushed On Decision Day
RSL currently sits in the fourth spot in the West with 56 total points. Seattle holds the third spot, also with 56 points.
In first and second are LA and LAFC with 64 and 61 points. In fifth and sixth are Houston and Colorado with 51 and 50 points respectively.
Real is in an enviable position compared to others in the West as they can only climb the standings, not fall.
Final Matchday. Final chance. ⏳
It all comes down to Decision Day. 👀
📺 Catch all the action on #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/Pau6rQBuV0 pic.twitter.com/sBDRA7STYx
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 17, 2024
If the Sounders lose or tie with Portland, RSL can jump them with a win over Vancouver.
As mentioned earlier though, the Whitecaps are one of the teams with a bit more at stake this weekend. They are on the bubble and need a win in Utah to avoid the Wild Card.
They aren’t at risk of missing the postseason but could see their hopes for a deep run dashed early against Portland.
The #1 seed out West is still up for grabs! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/0mROsT1D38
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2024
Whitecaps Come Into America First Field
Vancouver holds the eighth spot in the West with a record of 13-12-8 ahead of Decision Day. They are one point ahead of Portland in ninth and two points behind Minnesota in seventh.
Their only chance to escape the Wild Card is with a win at AFF on Saturday. On top of that, they would need Minnesota to lose or draw with a scoreline that would give them the tiebreaker advantage.
Real and Vancouver played once back in March. RSL defeated the Caps in BC Place, 2-1.
Ready to face off against this foe #RSLvVAN | @EnglandLogistic pic.twitter.com/I4xJjkVVlp
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) October 18, 2024
Of all the teams in the West playoffs, Vancouver has the second-worst goal differential. Both Real and the Caps have allowed 47 goals this season but RSL has scored 12 more goals.
The Wild Card matches will run on Tuesday, October 22, and Wednesday, October 23. Round One begins on Friday, October 25.
The MLS Cup is slated to start on Saturday, December 7.
