Orlando City officially was eliminated from playoff contention during the weekend as the New York Red Bulls clinched the sixth and final spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Red Bulls (13-12-7, 46 points) beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 to grab three points and freeze out the Lions, Philadelphia, New England and Montreal, who all have 39 points with two regular-season games left.

Orlando City (10-13-9, 39 points) had been long shot to make the playoffs for quite some time, but saw a revival of hope last week when MLS looked into an FC Dallas roster violation.

Dallas used an ineligible player during a draw with Orlando City. Had the league forced a forfeit, Orlando City would have received two additional points and still had a shot at a postseason. Dallas received a fine instead, and the following day Orlando City mathematically was out.

The six Eastern Conference teams heading to the playoffs, in order of ranking, are Supporters’ Shield winners Toronto FC, New York City FC, expansion side Atlanta United FC, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew SC and the Red Bulls.

The race is still open in the West, with top-ranked Vancouver the only team that has clinched a berth so far.

Orlando City currently is 10th out of 11 teams in the East despite the tie in points because they have one less win than No. 7 Montreal and No. 8 New England and a worse goal differential than No. 9 Philadelphia.

The Lions will use their final two matches — home against Columbus at 5 p.m. Sunday and on the road in Philadelphia at 4 p.m. Oct. 22 — to climb higher in the table before what’s expected to be a busy offseason.

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com