The MLS regular season will draw to a close in one month, on October 25, but the make up of the eight teams that will take part in the MLS Cup Playoffs that begin October 29 is very much up in the air in this final month.

Columbus leads the East with 43 points, and Chicago is second with 40 points.

The Crew has an advantage by being a seven points ahead of third place DC United, however a game against the LA Galaxy and two against New England remain on the schedule.

The Fire have four games against teams that a trying to secure their own spot in the playoffs, making it a tough road ahead.

United’s 36 points would put them in as a wild card if the season ended today, but they would be the last side to earn a wild card. Getting San Jose at home and closing at Kansas City could help bolster United’s chances.

New England and Toronto in the East both have 34 points, as does Real Salt Lake in the West. Right now, that leaves all three teams on the outside looking in come playoff time.

The plus side for the Revolution and the Canadian club is that they are both just six points behind the second place Fire in the East, and given how well the West has done, it’d be wise for the East teams to focus on the top two guaranteed spots.

With 30 points, Kansas City would have to win out and get a bit of help to sneak into the playoffs.

Houston and Los Angles sit atop the West with 43 and 41 points respectively, but six of the eight teams in the West boast at least 34 points.

Two-time MLS champion Dynamo have three regular season contests remaining, but two come against LA and Chivas, who could both be playing for their playoff lives.

LA doesn’t get much of a break from the schedule, playing at Columbus and Houston while also hosting Chicago before finally closing out the season against San Jose in a game the Galaxy certainly hopes is meaningless.

Seattle and Colorado are next on the table, tied with 38 points. While either side could move ahead of LA (or Houston, for that matter), unless there’s a major stumble along the way, both teams should land in the playoffs.

A chance to play in the postseason would be a great cap to an incredible opening season for the Sounders. Three of the final four matches of the year come on the road for Seattle, but the Sounders have gone four straight away matches without a loss.

Colorado also goes on the road for three of its final four matches (where it is 2-6-4), but two of those foes – Kansas City and Dallas – are not in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Chivas USA, with 37 points, would qualify if the season ended today. Most clubs have four to play, but Chivas has six matches left, giving the squad a very good chance to add points down the stretch.

As mentioned, Salt Lake has 34 points, there would be too many teams to pass to realistically think about getting into the top two in the West, but a solid final four games could put Salt Lake in position for a wild card spot.