The Dynamo don't take the field again until the 14th of October against the Portland Timbers. In the interim, several matches will determine just how important the result of that match will be in terms of both team's playoff hopes. Last night, the LA Galaxy did the Dynamo no favors, falling 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Houston remains in the final playoff wild card, but with team behind them still holding game(s) in hand, they are far from controlling their own destiny. LA's loss eliminated San Jose and Chivas USA from playoff contention.
The scenarios that get determine whether the Dynamo are in or out of the playoffs are still a little confusing, but there's the basics. Even if Houston gets six points in the final two matches, DC United could still knock them out of the playoffs. If Portland and Houston end up tied for the final playoff spot, Houston will have the tiebreaker with a win or draw against the Timbers on the 14th. If the Timbers win and they still end up tied, goal differential is the next tiebreaker. In the end, DC United controls their own fate, if they win all four of their remaining matches, it doesn't matter what Houston or Portland does. If they begin to drop more points, it gets interesting.
Results:
New York Red Bulls 2 - 0 Los Angeles Galaxy
Playoff Standings:
| Team | Points (Max Potential Points) | Games Played (of 34) | Points Per Game | GD |
| x-LAG (W1) | 64 (70) | 32 | 2.00 | 21 |
| x-SEA (W2) | 57 (66) | 31 | 1.84 | 19 |
| x-RSL (W3) | 51 (60) | 31 | 1.65 | 11 |
| SKC (E1) | 45 (51) | 32 | 1.41 | 7 |
| PHI (E2) | 44 (53) | 31 | 1.42 | 7 |
| CREW (E3) | 44 (50) | 32 | 1.38 | -3 |
| FCD (WC1) | 46 (55) | 31 | 1.48 | 2 |
| COL (WC2) | 45 (51) | 32 | 1.41 | 2 |
| NYRB (WC3) | 43 (49) | 32 | 1.34 | 7 |
| HOU (WC4) | 43 (49) | 32 | 1.34 | 0 |
| POR | 40 (49) | 31 | 1.29 | -6 |
| DCU | 38 (50) | 30 | 1.27 | 0 |
| CHI | 37 (46) | 31 | 1.19 | 0 |
| z - CHV | 36 (42) | 32 | 1.13 | 1 |
| z - SJ | 32 (41) | 31 | 1.03 | -7 |
| z - TFC | 31 (37) | 32 | 0.97 | -23 |
| z - NE | 27 (36) | 31 | 0.87 | -16 |
| z - VAN | 22 (34) | 30 | 0.76 | -21 |
x - Clinched Playoff Spot
z- Eliminated from Playoffs
Upcoming Matches:
Home team listed first
Result in parenthesis is best outcome for the Dynamo
Thursday, October 6th
Vancouver Whitecaps v Real Salt Lake (No Effect on Dynamo)
Saturday, October 8th
New England Revolution v San Jose Earthquakes (No Effect on Dynamo)
Seattle Sounders v Phladelphia Union (SEA win)