The race for the wildcard: pure, unscientific speculation

With a month to go in the MLS regular season four teams -- the Galaxy, Houston, Chicago and Columbus -- seem set for the playoffs while seven teams -- DC United, New England, TFC, Seattle, Colorado, Chivas and Salt Lake -- are battling for the four wildcard spots.

Let's look at the remaining schedule of those in the wildcard chase:

DC United: v San Jose, v Chivas, v Columbus, @K.C.
New England: v Seattle, @ Dallas, @ Colorado, v Columbus, V Chicago, @ Columbus
TFC: @ Chicago, v Salt Lake, v San Jose, @ New York
Seattle: @ New England, @ Columbus, @ K.C., v Dallas
Colorado: @ K.C., v New England, @ Dallas, @ Salt Lake
Chivas: v New York, @ DC United, v K.C., @ Chicago, v Houston
Salt Lake: @ Dallas, v New York, @ TFC, v Colorado

Biased or not, it's hard to argue that TFC does not have the easiest schedule left of the teams fighting for those spots. With four wins in their last five home games (a 1-1 draw with Houston being the only non-win) Toronto has to believe that it can grab all six points left at home. Three against New York (or Chicago) shouldn't be out of the question either, giving the Reds nine more points on the season -- 43 on the year.

DC United has to deal with its CCL play, but has a heavy home schedule left. Let's give them wins versus San Jose and K.C. on the road, with a draw against Chivas. That's seven points, good enough for 43 points.

Chivas is probably thinking that it could catch the Galaxy, and it might. But, the playoffs should be good to go regardless. Let's give them wins over New York and K.C. and a couple draws against DC and Houston. Eight points more for a total of 45.

Seattle is in tough down the stretch. They do not play as well away from Qwest as they do on its plastic wonder. Still, a good start to the season has put them in a nice position. The Sounders win their final game at home and find a point more on the road for four. Those 42 points will get them a spot in the post-season.

Colorado may have watched its post-season dreams go away over the last two weeks when it dropped four points against San Jose in back-to-back games. They are awful on the road, and have three of four away from Colorado to end things. One win at home should be expected, but it might not be enough. Three more points gives the Rapids 41.

Salt Lake is much like Colorado in that it plays much better at home. Accordingly, you could expect six points from the two remaining games in Utah. The team with the name I can't bring myself to type's season could come down to this weekend against Dallas. If they claim all three on the road, they are looking at 43 points and are in the mix. If not, then it's either 41 or 40 points and looking forward to the draft.

New England is the team that, despite it having a boatload of games left, could be in the worst shape. An absolutely deadly finish -- Colorado on the road, Columbus, Chicago, Columbus -- is as tough as you will ever see in MLS. The next two games are vital for the Revs. If they don't get six points, they will be in trouble. It says here they get four and finish with a whimper at 37.

For those keeping track, based on the schedule remaining, I’m predicting this:

Chivas – 45
TFC – 43
DCU- 43
Seattle – 42
Colorado – 41
RSL – 40
New England – 37

That would likely set-up a Columbus – DC United, Chicago – Toronto east playoff and a Houston – Seattle, Galaxy – Chivas west.

To be Toronto-centric for a moment, Reds fans should not jump in front of the 5:40 westbound Go Train if TFC loses to Chicago this weekend. It should be remembered that K.C. went W-W-W down the stretch to grab a playoff spot in 2008. It is possible.

Of course some points in Chicago would make things a little less stressful...