An update on the LA Galaxy playoff picture

The Sporting Kansas City Real Salt Lake telecast was not a fun watch for Galaxy fans.

Corey Baird scored early for RSL and Sporting were historically inept in front of goal, but an Ike Opara header gave SKC a share of the points. (Obviously LA would have preferred Sporting to come out on top, but a road victory for Real would have been disastrous and only the crossbar kept Baird from completing his brace late in the match)

Below is an updated look at the Western Conference standings heading into next week.

With Portland drawing FC Dallas at home in a game where the Timbers lost starting goalkeeper Jeff Antinella to a dislocated shoulder and center back Liam Ridgewell to a red card, the Galaxy inched closer to the clubs above the red line.

Currently Real Salt Lake and the Timbers are ahead of LA, but both teams play each other twice this month in what is essentially a two-legged home and away tie. Portland has a slight lead in the standings, but RSL are in better form.

Getting a result at Children’s Mercy Park isn’t going to be easy without the services of Rolf Feltscher, but a road victory would do wonders for LA’s playoff hopes. Even a draw isn’t be catastrophic should the Galaxy win Oct. 21st at Minnesota United. Will Zlatan play on the turf? If the Galaxy take care of business next weekend, they might not have to risk the Swedish target striker.