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They’re not quite over the line yet.
MLS announced on Monday evening that only FC Dallas, and not Toronto FC, had clinched their place in the playoffs over the weekend.
The league had initially published before the latest round of games that a draw would be enough to get the Reds in the postseason if other results went their way (which they did), but it has now emerged that was not actually the case.
Upon further analysis, @FCDallas are the first team to secure a playoff spot. @torontofc has not clinched yet. https://t.co/0mVxnUpHre
— MLS Communications (@MLS_PR) September 19, 2016
They have not yet explained the math but TFC are 13 points ahead of both D.C. United and Orlando City, who are the first teams currently out of the top six, and all three clubs have five games left.
That, of course, theoretically leaves 15 points up for grabs but presumably MLS had worked out that fixtures between the teams behind Toronto would make it impossible for six to accumulate enough points to overtake the current Eastern Conference leaders.
Apparently not, but a win against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday will seal the deal for certain.