The Union can clinch a playoff berth with one more win

Here's a look at where the Union stand in Major League Soccer's playoff race as the regular season begins its final month.

Their magic number is down to three points. If the Union beat Minnesota on Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium (7:30 p.m., PHL17), or if the Montreal Impact lose to the Columbus Crew earlier Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN+), the Union will clinch a postseason berth for the first time in two years.

Teams are listed with their total points, then the first three tiebreakers in order: wins, goal difference and goals scored. The full order of tiebreakers is available here.

1. Atlanta United: 63 points, 19 wins, +27 GD, 65 GS (31 games played; clinched first-round bye)
2. New York Red Bulls: 62 points, 19 wins, +25 GD, 57 GS (31 games played; clinched first-round bye)

3. New York City FC: 53 points, 15 wins, +14 GD, 55 GS (32 games played, clinched playoff spot)
4. Columbus Crew: 48 points, 13 wins, +1 GD, 39 GS (31 games played)
5. Philadelphia Union: 47 points, 14 wins, -2 GD, 43 GS (31 games played)
6. Montreal Impact: 40 points, 12 wins, -10 GD, 42 GS (31 games played)

7. D.C. United: 38 points, 10 wins, +5 GD, 53 GS (29 games played)
8. New England Revolution: 35 points, 8 wins, -5 GD, 44 GS (30 games played)
9. Toronto FC: 33 points, 9 wins, -4 GD, 54 GS (30 games played)
10. Chicago Fire: 31 points, 8 wins, -11 GD, 46 GS (31 games played; eliminated from contention)
11. Orlando City: 25 points, 7 wins, -26 GD, 40 GS (29 games played)

Montreal Impact vs. Columbus Crew (Saturday, 3 p.m., ESPN+): Even though a Montreal loss would put the Union in the playoffs, Union fans should root for the Impact. Why? Because a Crew loss would keep fourth place in reach — and the first-round home playoff game that comes with it.

Atlanta United vs. New England Revolution (Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Univision): After losing to the Red Bulls over the weekend, Atlanta needs a win at home to keep its hold on first place. New England wouldn't be eliminated with a loss, but would be real close.

Toronto FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps (Saturday, 5 p.m., ESPN+): After routing New England, 4-1, at home over the weekend, reigning champion Toronto isn't dead yet. A win over the Whitecaps, who fired manager Carl Robinson last week, would send a message. On the flip side, the Whitecaps aren't dead yet either, and would jump right back into the Western Conference picture with three points.

FC Dallas vs. Orlando City (Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN+): It seems crazy on the surface that Orlando isn't eliminated yet, but because it has played so few games, it's still alive. This game might be the end, though, as Dallas is in first place in the West.

Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United (Sunday, 1 p.m., ESPN and ESPN Deportes): Wayne Rooney and Luciano Acosta combined for eight goals and 10 assists in September, leading D.C. United on a breathtaking charge up the standings. D.C. has two games in hand on Montreal, and will play four of its last five games at home.

All of these games are available via streaming on ESPN+. Click here for the full MLS standings.

Sporting Kansas City vs. Los Angeles Galaxy (Saturday, 8:30 p.m.): The Galaxy have won two of their three games since manager Sigi Schmid's exit in early September and have looked good doing it. They're up to seventh in the West, just two points behind sixth-place Real Salt Lake. But both wins came at home. Can Zlatan Ibrahimović add to his 20-goal total so far this year at one of MLS' most hostile venues? Sporting, meanwhile, needs every point it can get as it chases a bye — and it dropped two in a 1-1 tie with Real Salt Lake over the weekend.

Colorado Rapids vs. Los Angeles FC (Saturday, 9 p.m.): LAFC is in third place in the West, and still has an outside shot at a first-round bye. Colorado's -26 goal difference is MLS' worst.

Real Salt Lake vs. Portland Timbers (Saturday, 9:30 p.m.): Though the Timbers are in fifth place in the West, they're far from certain to end up in the playoffs. A big reason: They've won just three of their 15 road games so far this year. Across the field, RSL players can hear the Galaxy coming behind them.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. New York Red Bulls (Saturday, 10:30 p.m.): The Earthquakes are MLS' worst team by far, with just 20 points. Manager Mikael Stahre was fired two weeks ago after just 10 months in the job. But any cross-country trip can be a trap game, and veteran San Jose striker Chris Wondolowski is just two goals from tying Landon Donovan's career regular-season record of 145.

Seattle Sounders vs. Houston Dynamo (Monday, 10:30 p.m.): Seattle would jump up to third place with a win; Houston would be all but eliminated with a loss.