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Austin on brink of elimination: Western Conference roundup
No Western Conference games were played yesterday, but a pivotal weekend looms: Austin FC risks elimination while LAFC and Seattle can clinch playoff berths.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
The Western Conference had a rare quiet day with no games on the schedule, but the calm won’t last long. A crucial weekend is coming, with playoff races tightening and clear scenarios emerging for both clinching and elimination.
Austin FC staring at possible elimination
According to MLS Multiplex, Austin FC could be knocked out of the playoff race as soon as this weekend. At 7-13-10, the Texas side is already under pressure in a crowded Western field, and a bad result combined with certain other outcomes around the league could officially end its postseason hopes.
That reality turns every remaining match on Austin’s schedule into a must-get-result situation. Any dropped points from here on out carry extra weight for a team that has almost no margin for error if it wants to extend its season beyond Decision Day.
LAFC and Seattle closing in on playoff spots
On the other side of the equation, MLS Multiplex reports that LAFC and the Seattle Sounders are among the clubs that can clinch playoff berths this weekend. LAFC sits at 12-9-10, while Seattle stands at 11-10-9, records that keep both firmly in the Western Conference playoff mix.
For those teams, the short-term focus is not just qualifying, but positioning. Locking up a spot early would give both coaches more flexibility to manage minutes, tweak lineups and fine-tune tactics ahead of knockout soccer.
Around them, teams like the Vancouver Whitecaps (16-7-7), St. Louis CITY SC (14-7-9) and FC Dallas (14-7-9) remain well placed in the standings, even if they aren’t directly mentioned in this weekend’s clinching or elimination scenarios. No goals were scored in the West yesterday, but the tension is building toward a weekend that could significantly reshape the playoff picture.