The Eastern Conference has been in a tight race for the top seeds as we approach the halfway point in August. Unlike the Western Conference, the East is as tight as it can be between the teams currently holding playoff spots.
Each week, the hierarchy of the East shifts up and down as no team can hold the top spot for more than a week.
There is still a battle between teams that are on the outside looking in as they wait for the eight and nine seeds to slip in quality. With three teams on the outside, only one looks to be a true contender for the last spot.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Should Evander Be the New Face of MLS? Solving the League’s Identity Crisis
Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire have had a season that has gone on runs of good and bad so far. With former USMNT manager Gregg Berhalter leading the team, the Fire have found a new identity that has put them in a dead heat for the last spot.
The Fire took advantage of a light schedule in the early months of the season as they went on a small run to line themselves up in a playoff position.
With their schedule getting more difficult, the Fire have struggled to become more inconsistent as the season has progressed. The Fire are just one point out of ninth and three points from the eighth seed.
The Fire have made a jump from last year to this year as their playoff hopes are alive and well, as the final stretch of the season is ahead.
New England Revolution
New England might be the second team on this list, but they seem to be a mile away from even Chicago, with only 25 points and winless since May.
New England’s playoff chances are slim to none as they have been a bottom-of-the-barrel team for months now, as they struggle to escape most weeks with a point. The Revolution’s poor form is emphasized after their 3-1 loss against Montreal, which is actively tearing apart their roster and rebuilding for the future.
New England could be on their way to a rebuild with Montreal if it can’t earn more than a single point in August. This next month will be critical for the future of New England as they will look to see if a restructuring of the entire club is needed.
I don’t see the Revolution competing for any of the last two playoff spots. If they can string a few wins together in the last few months of the season, it will show this team has fight, and right now they need it more than ever.
Toronto FC
Toronto might be on this list of teams fighting for a playoff spot, but don’t let that fool you. This Toronto team is on the wrong end of a rebuild that just started, as they opened up two DP spots to make more room for future options.
Toronto was looking to make a big push for hardware a few seasons ago when they brought on two big Italian stars that they expected would perform well.
That recently backfired, causing Toronto to release both of them and reset their plans for the future. Toronto has thrown big money at players without having a proper development system for its youth players.
The last thing Toronto needs to worry about is a playoff run this season, as they appear to be far out of the race.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO / Icon Sportswire
Recording Date 11.07.2025