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UPDATE: The LA Galaxy drew 1-1 with Sporting Kansas City ruining every clinching scenario. The Sounders will have to wait another week before they have the opportunity to make a historic 10th straight appearance in the playoffs.
As of this writing the best case scenario would be for Seattle to claim the 4th position in the West (8th in Shield, above three Eastern sides).
If things break right, the Monday night game (7:30 p.m., JOEtv) could be the one where the Seattle Sounders clinch their 10th straight trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs. That would tie the LA Galaxy for the best stretch in the league’s history and extend the longest active streak in MLS. Only nine teams have more playoff appearances than Seattle does, despite Seattle only joining MLS in 2009.
What needs to happen to make the match against the Houston Dynamo a possible clincher?
The LA Galaxy need to lose to Sporting Kansas City. Granted, this also makes it quite difficult to earn a first-round bye.
One of the following conditions must also be met:
Vancouver Whitecaps do not win in their trip to Toronto FC. TFC, “the greatest team in the history of MLS,” will be eliminated if they do not win and Montreal Impact beat Columbus Crew.
OR
Real Salt Lake and Portland Timbers draw. Draw City is on the road for this match.
538 has Sporting KC with an expected win at 60%. Whitecaps are expected to lose in 64% of scenarios. RSL and Timbers draw in 23% of scenarios. According to the math experts there there is just over a 50% chance Monday night has the potential for post-game celebrations.