In MLS, the clubs are divided into Eastern and Western conferences. The top two avoid the one-and-done knockout stage where #3 plays #6 and #4 plays #5 within the respective conferences.
At the moment, the San Jose Earthquakes are sixth in the West with 32 points and 11 games left.
The LA Galaxy have 23 points and 12 games left.
Looking at the SJ schedule I can see them beating Philadelphia, RSL, DC United and Minnesota. This gets them 12 more points. Of the other seven matches, let's be optimistic and predict they lose four and draw 3. Thus, by the end of the season they will have 47 points.
Technically, one can be tied in points and then go to goal difference to determine who gets the spot. But 48 points would out-right exceed the hypothetical 47 points of San Jose.
LA has 12 games left. There are only two scenarios that gets them 25 more points: 8 wins 1 draw 3 losses or 7 wins 4 draws and 1 loss. That is a very tall order given their current track record.
Can they do the following (or some other combination that gets them those 25 points)?
Home NYFC Draw
Away Colorado Win
Home San Jose Win
Home Colorado Win
Away Seattle Win
Home Toronto Loss
Away Atlanta Draw
Away Kansas City Draw
Away Houston Win
Home RSL Win
Home Minnesota Win
Away Dallas Draw
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