Real Salt Lake Win Versus SKC On Decision Day Warrants Playoff Birth

SALT LAKE CITY – Real Salt Lake still has a 62.8% chance of making the MLS Cup playoffs, according to Sportsclubsstats.com despite the heartbreaking 3-1 defeat at home against Portland on Wednesday evening.

Currently, Real Salt Lake sits in the eighth seed, one position shy of the playoffs. They are two points behind the LA Galaxy who occupy the seven seed but tied on points with LAFC.

Major League Soccer ranks its teams by points. Then, if teams are tied on points the league will determine seeding via the total number of wins per match. If that is also equal, goal differential will determine the tiebreaker and if that is also equal then goals for will determine the correct positioning.

The highest possible finishing position that remains for Real Salt Lake is the sixth seed.

At least there's #DecisionDay pic.twitter.com/iUesNVxfBf

— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) November 4, 2021

How RSL Qualifies

For Real Salt Lake to qualify for the MLS Playoffs they have to win against Sporting Kansas City. A draw does Real Salt Lake nothing.

Real Salt Lake will qualify for the playoffs with a win against Sporting Kansas City.

It is that simple. Real Salt Lake wins and they are in.

The saving grace for Real Salt Lake on decision day is that the LA Galaxy plays Minnesota United. A Galaxy win and Real would take the spot of Minnesota on wins, a draw between Galaxy and Minnesota and Real takes the place of the Galaxy on wins, and a Galaxy win and Real takes Minnesota’s spot on wins.

Tough Task At SKC

Furthermore, Sporting Kansas City currently finds itself in second place, one point shy of Seattle. SKC, despite having already secured a playoff position, will be looking to pick up all three points of their own against Real Salt Lake in a quest for the first seed and opening playoff week bye.

Sporting Kansas City will likely not rest their starters given the implications that remain.

Earlier this season on May 1 Real Salt Lake beat SKC 3-1 at Rio Tinto Stadium with goals coming from Damir Kreilach and a brace from Rubio Rubin.