(Writer’s technical warning: The chart itself may not layout accurately on a cell phone. It may have too many columns, too much width.)

Photo Ben Ross

Since six of the ten remaining playoff-eligible MLS eastern conference teams have two games remaining, it is time to publish a maximum possible points chart for the east. The exceptions are Inter Miami CF for whom four games remain, Orlando who has three, and Chicago who has three.  Nashville’s third is non-league, the Lamar Hunt U. S. Open Cup final, and therefore does not affect the MLS regular season table.

A maximum  possible points chart allows readers to discover the upper and lower limits of how teams may finish in the regular season’s final table. For example, Red Bull New York may  finish no higher that ninth. That only happens if they win out, Chicago loses out, and New York wins one of its games by at least two goals so goal difference would change to favor them. The first tiebreaker would be even, and Chicago’s current lead in the third — goals for — is likely insurmountable at 12.

What the chart tells us about Philly, especially in the east

1. If Philadelphia were to win out, no one could overtake them  in either the conference or  the Supporters’ Shield. The injury report from the DC win will provide important information potentially affecting that possible outcome.
2. Inter Miami and Cincinnati each failed to take all three points at the weekend thus creating Philadelphia’s opportunity.
3. Qualitatively, Charlotte’s remaining schedule is comparatively easier — on paper — than Philadelphia’s, Miami’s,  or Cincinnati’s, but their potential points totals is lesser.
4. No one else in the east can overtake Philly’s 63 points. LA FC and Vancouver still could in the west. San Diego could only equal the Union’s 63 points and currently trails it by six in goal difference.

Reading the chart for oneself

The ten eastern teams not yet eliminated from playoff participation are listed in descending place order from first through 10th. “Pts Won” lists points already earned, the determinant of the current rank order.

“Remaining games” gives the day and date and the opponent for each remaining match.  It seemed better to identify Decision Day games as a separate column.

“Pts Avail” gives the upper limit of points available to be won in the future, that is to say, total games remaining multiplied by three.

“Max Pts” = (“Pts Won + “Pts Avail“). It is the upper limit of the possible points the particular team can win. Comparing those limits determines what teams a specific club may or may not still aspire to overtake.  MLS’s Tiebreakers are listed below.

MLS Eastern Conference as of Monday, September 29^th 9:55 AM.

MLS Tiebreakers