Technically the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs don’t begin until next week. But for the San Jose Earthquakes, the playoffs start Sunday.
With Sunday’s dramatic 1-1 draw at Western Conference-best Vancouver Whitecaps FC, coupled with losses by both Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas, the Earthquakes jumped from eighth to sixth in the standings and now control their own destiny moving forward. Holding the wins tiebreaker over FCD (12 to 10) and a one-point lead over RSL (43 to 42), the Earthquakes now face a win-and-you’re-in scenario on Sunday afternoon.
San Jose is largely in this position because of its home form, going 9-2-5 over the course of the season, including key wins down the stretch against the Houston Dynamo and Portland Timbers – two of the West’s top-five teams.