MLS Preview: LA Galaxy face playoff showdown with Minnesota United on final day

Sean Fisher
6 November 2021

The final day of the MLS season is upon us, and with playoff spots up for grabs in both the Eastern and Western conference, there's plenty still to play for.

Decision day takes place on Sunday, November 7, and the 13 fixtures are split into two kick-off times. Seven take place at 8.30pm (BST), while the remaining six kick off at 11.30pm.

And, with three spots still up for grabs in the Eastern conference, as well as three in the west, it's bound to be a day filled with drama and excitement.

Eastern Conference lowdown

In the midweek action, Atlanta United and New York Red Bulls both failed to clinch playoff spots as they played out a 0-0 draw.

CF Montreal took advantage of their deadlock with a 2-0 win over Houston Dynamo, and they are now in a position to crash the party should they beat Orlando City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the draw between Atlanta and New York allowed both Philadelphia Union and Nashville SC to secure a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference. That means both teams join first-place New England Revolution as hosts for their first playoff game.

However, there is still one top-four seed up for grabs in the East with NYCFC, Atlanta and Orlando City set to battle it out.

Atlanta travel to Cincinnati for their game on Sunday, while the NY Red Bulls travel to Nashville.

Atlanta, Orlando, and Red Bulls will make the playoffs with a Sunday win, while Montreal, DC United, and Columbus Crew can still make it if they win and other results go in their favour.

Western Conference lowdown

During the week, LAFC drew 1-1 with Vancouver Whitecaps, Austin FC beat Sporting KC 3-1, and Portland Timbers managed a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake.

The Timbers win had the biggest impact on current standings, as it prevented RSL from clinching a playoff spot, while instead cementing their own place in the top four of the Western conference.

Portland joins Seattle Sounders, Sporting KC, and Colorado Rapids as teams who have clinched a top-four spot. Minnesota United, Vancouver, and LA Galaxy currently possess the remaining three spots and are therefore in control of their own destiny should they win on Sunday.

Minnesota and the Galaxy face each other in what is set to be a stunner in Los Angeles, while Vancouver can secure their spot with a win against Seattle Sounders.

Inter Miami season ends in disappointment

Inter Miami's second season in the MLS comes to an end on Sunday with a trip to first-place New England. It has been a rollercoaster of a season for Phil Neville's squad, who looked like they had a chance of making the playoffs after a promising summer, but their hopes were ended in September after a poor run of form.

Miami currently sit with 11 wins, five draws, and 17 losses. Those results have given them 38 points, enough for 11th place, and they can't move from that spot regardless of results this weekend. Gonzalo Higuain leads the team in both goals (12) and assists (9).

No team in MLS scored less than Miami's 35 goals this season. And Neville's squad will need to improve at the back next season - they allowed 53 goals so far, the third-worst record in the East and fifth-worst in the league.

Planet Sport Bet has Inter Miami at 21/4 to pull off a big upset to end the season. New England, who has already clinched the Supporters Shield, are 2/5 to get another win while a draw is 7/2.

Showdown in Los Angeles

Perhaps the biggest game on Sunday comes when LA Galaxy host Minnesota United. The winner is guaranteed a playoff spot. A draw is also enough for Minnesota United, while a draw will likely be enough for the Galaxy, but it does depend on the results of both Real Salt Lake and rivals LAFC.

The Galaxy had a chance on Monday to secure a postseason spot but couldn't hold on to their lead in Seattle. Chicharito fired the Galaxy ahead in the 19th minute before Raul Ruidiaz tied the game from the spot in the 50th minute.

Chicharito leads the Galaxy with 15 goals and is looking to reach the MLS playoffs for the first time. Minnesota are led in the scoring charts by Robin Lod with eight goals, while Emanuel Reynoso has ten assists.

The Loons could go as high as fifth with a win or miss out on a playoff spot entirely if they lose and results from LAFC and RSL go against them.

Planet Sport Bet has Minnesota at 9/4 to pick up a road win. The Galaxy are evens, while a draw is 13/5.