With nine games left, a favorable schedule of home games and a spot above the red line the Seattle Sounders should target not just making the playoffs, but continuing their history of always hosting a playoff game in their first eligible round. They are just three points off of 4th and five points out of third. They have games in hand on both teams currently holding those spots — RSL and LAFC.

Those Above

Real Salt Lake - 41 - 4 home/3 away

Last Game

RSL runs rampant over nine-man Rapids, with 6-0 road win - RSL Soapbox

An early goal and two red cards left RSL in control for 90 minutes.

Next week: hosts LA Galaxy at 7 PM on September 1 (ESPN+).

Seattle Sounders - 38 - 5 home/4 away

Last Game

Timbers vs. Sounders, recap: Three points all the same - Sounder At Heart

Own-goal gives Sounders their seventh straight win.

Next week: hosts Sporting Kansas City at 1 PM on September 1 (UniMas).

LA Galaxy - 38 - 3 home/4 away

Last Game

LA Galaxy draw LAFC 1-1 in El Trafico III - LAG Confidential

El Trafico III ends in a stalemate

Next week: travels to Salt Lake at 7 PM on Sept. 1 (ESPN+).

Those Below

Portland Timbers - 37 - 5 home/5 away

Last Game

Portland Timbers lose again; fall 1-0 to Seattle Sounders - Stumptown Footy

The losing streak continued tonight in a thoroughly disheartening way as the Portland Timbers scored the only goal in a 1-0 loss to their arch-rivals, the Seattle Sounders.

Next week: hosts Toronto FC at 7:30 PM on August 29 (ROOT Sports) and travels to New England Revolution at 4:30 PM on September 1 (ESPN+).

Vancouver Whitecaps - 37 - 5 home/3 away

Last Game

Vancouver Whitecaps Show up 30 Minutes Late to Match Again San Jose Earthquakes, but Win 3-2! - Eighty Six Forever

After looking like it was going to be ‘one of those nights’, the Vancouver Whitecaps pull out a victory against San Jose Earthquakes thanks mostly to a nine-minute stretch in the second half.

Next week: hosts San Jose Earthquakes at 7 PM on September 1 (ESPN+).

Shield Hunt

Atlanta United - 54 - 3 home/5 away New York Red Bulls - 52 - 4 home/5 away

The Maths of Seattle

Seattle Sounders Supporters' Shield magic number is 42.#MLS playoff magic number is 24.#Sounders — MLS Magic Number (@MLSmagicnumber) August 27, 2018

At last check 538 had Sounders as 5th in West on pace for 51 points. They were 3rd best defense and 17th best attack. Sagarin considered the Sounders 2nd in the West and 5th best overall. They’re even better now.

538 now has the Sounders as 4th most likely to make playoffs in West, expecting to earn 53 points. They’ve risen to second best defense while the attack is now 14th best.

Sagarin still has Seattle as 2nd/5th. To this point they have the 5th most difficult schedule. Sporting KC is the only remaining opponent ahead of them in the Sagarin ratings.

2018 Awards Snapshot

MVP

Josef Martinez Zlatan Ibrahimović — a distant second There is no third

Defensive Player of the Year

Chad Marshall Aaron Long What if it’s Kim Kee-hee?

Goalkeeper of the Year