The Chase: The Week 26 Eastern Conference Playoff Picture

The Union took a misstep this week and fell to the Chicago Fire. What does that 3-0 loss on the road look like for the Union in terms of the playoff race? Well, that is what we are here for!

One more quick primer on terms before we jump in:

• Total Points (Pts) - total points accumulated to this point
• Games Played (GP) - total games played to this point
• Possible Points (pPts) - points possible if team wins out their schedule
• Points Per Game (PPG) - points accumulated, divided by games played
• Home Points Per Game (HPPG) - PPG at home
• Away Points Per Game (APPG) - PPG on the road
• Opponents Points Per Game (PPG) - opponents points accumulated, divided by games played
• H/A vs PPG - opponents PPG when home and away form is factored in
• Magic Number - Points needed for 4 teams to not be able to catch up to playoff seeds

WEEK 26 MAGIC NUMBER: 54

Currently on the IN:

1. New York City FC - 44 Pts - 28 GP - 62 pPts - 1.57 PPG - 1.64 HPPG - 1.5 APPG

Last Week: 3-2 Win vs D.C. United

This Week: 9/10 @ New England Revolution (1.07 PPG, 1.57 HPPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.17 vsPPG, 1.12 H/A PPG

2. New York Red Bulls - 43 Pts - 28 GP - 61 pPts - 1.54 PPG - 2.38 HPPG - 0.8 APPG

Last Week: 1-0 Win vs Vancouver Whitecaps

This Week: 9/11 vs D.C. United (1.19 PPG, 0.77 APPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.34 vsPPG, 1.21 H/A PPG

3. Toronto FC - 43 Pts - 27 GP - 64 pPts - 1.59 PPG - 2.0 HPPG - 1.27 APPG

Last Week: OFF

This Week: 9/10 @ Chicago Fire (1.0 PPG, 1.62 HPPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.25 vsPPG, 0.99 H/A PPG

4. Philadelphia Union - 40 Pts - 28 GP - 58 pPts - 1.43 PPG - 1.93 HPPG - 0.93 APPG

Last Week: 0-3 Loss @ Chicago Fire

This Week: 9/10 vs Montreal Impact (1.42 PPG, 1.15 APPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.42 vsPPG, 1.53 H/A PPG

5. Montreal Impact - 37 Pts - 26 GP - 61 pPts - 1.42 PPG - 1.69 HPPG - 1.15 APPG

Last Week: OFF

This Week: 9/7 vs Orlando City SC (1.19 PPG, 0.75 APPG), 9/10 @ Philadelphia Union (1.43 PPG, 1.93 HPPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.29 vs PPG, 1.34 H/A PPG

6. D.C. United - 32 Pts - 27 GP - 53 pPts - 1.19 PPG - 1.57 HPPG - 0.77 APPG

Last Week: 2-3 Loss @ New York City FC

This Week: 9/1 @ New York Red Bulls (1.54 PPG, 2.38 HPPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.30 vsPPG, 1.47 H/A PPG

The Chasers

7. Orlando City SC - 31 Pts - 26 GP - 55 pPts - 1.19 PPG - 1.57 HPPG - 0.75 APPG

Last Week: OFF

This Week: 9/7 @ Montreal Impact (1.42 PPG, 1.69 HPPG), 9/11 @ LA Galaxy (1.59 PPG, 2.0 HPPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.35 vs PPG, 1.45 H/A PPG

8. New England Revolution - 30 Pts - 28 GP - 48 pPts - 1.07 PPG - 1.57 HPPG - 0.57 APPG

Last Week: 2-0 Win vs Colorado Rapids

This Week: 9/10 vs New York City FC (1.57 PPG, 1.5 APPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.30 vsPPG, 1.35 H/A PPG

9. Chicago Fire - 26 Pts - 26 GP - 50 pPts - 1.0 PPG - 1.62 HPPG - 0.38 APPG

Last Week: 3-0 Win vs Philadelphia Union

This Week: 9/10 vs Toronto FC (1.59 PPG, 1.27 APPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.28 vsPPG, 1.23 H/A PPG

10. Columbus Crew SC - 26 Pts - 26 GP - 50 pPts - 1.0 PPG - 1.43 HPPG - 0.5 APPG

Last Week: 1-2 Loss @ LA Galaxy

This week: 9/10 vs Vancouver Whitecaps (1.11 PPG, 0.79 APPG)

Remaining Schedule: 1.21 vsPPG, 1.32 H/A PPG

Philadelphia Union Outlook

Before I get any further, it is still a positive outlook for the Union. Even with the loss, the Union are closer to the magic number than they were last week (16:14). The bad news is the road ahead is tough for the Union who face the toughest remaining schedule - not only in straight Points Per Game, but also in the Home/Away PPG format. The Union’s remaining schedule actually jumps the most (0.26 PPG to 0.17 PPG as second) from the straight PPG to the Home/Away version.

The most positive news for the Union though is that Andre Blake and Alejandro Bedoya are returning from their respective international breaks without injury. Without those two or center back Josh Yaro, the Union were unable to earn even a point in Chicago. The key players will need to stay healthy and effective down the stretch as the Union remaining schedule only offers one team outside the playoff picture from their conference. Even that Chasing team is a force as Orlando City has been making a late run for the playoffs.

Verdict: Not time to panic, but still plenty of work left in order to be ready to compete in the playoffs.