The final weekend of the MLS regular-season won’t be a lame-duck day as far as the playoffs are concerned. At least three spots will be up for grabs Sunday whenall 10 teams wind up their schedules. Montreal and Columbus eased the angst of their fans by securing their slots during the weekend, but failing to close the deal were Sporting Kansas City and NewEngland. Portland took a giant leap to the playoff doorstep by crushing the Galaxy, 5-2, two days after the Quakes beat Sporting Kansas City, 1-0, to stay in the hunt.

Seattle could have clinched with a win but instead had to rally just to get a point at Houston. That point wasn’t enough for the Dynamo tostay in the postseason race and also eliminated was Real Salt Lake, which misses the playoffs after seven straight appearances.