The Playoff Picture: What Inter Miami Needs to Make the MLS Cup Playoffs

Breaking Down What Inter Miami Needs to Make the Playoffs

Because the eighth- and ninth-place teams in each division qualify for a wild card spot in the playoffs, there is hope for the Herons.

But having just 25 points puts Inter Miami second-to-last in the conference.

Now, history tells us that the average number of points the ninth-place team in the Eastern Conference has received is 43.3, meaning Inter Miami needs 19 points from their final nine games — roughly two points per game.

One thing that benefits Inter Miami is the fact that the Herons have two games in hand, meaning they’ve played two fewer matches than most other teams in the conference — giving them two extra games down the stretch to make up points.

For the sake of argument, let’s take the highest of the previous ninth-place finisher’s point total — 47 — and use that as a target.

It can certainly be done, but it means the Herons can ill afford to lose any of their last nine matches.

Someone on an Inter Miami Facebook fan page did some quick math and assumed the Herons drew against Sporting Kansas City, Orlando, Houston Dynamo, FC Cincinnati and Charlotte FC.

They figured wins against Toronto FC, New York City FC, Chicago Fire and the last game against Charlotte FC with a loss at Atlanta United.

That gives Inter Miami 42 points and, assuming results of other matches, Inter Miami could make the playoffs.

It would assume D.C. United loses three of their last seven, Chicago drops three of their last seven, Charlotte loses five of their last eight, New York City FC loses four of their last six and New York Red Bulls fall in three of their last seven.

That’s a lot of assumptions and it means Inter Miami needs to not only win, but get a lot of help from teams above them.

It’s possible, La Familia, but it’s going to take some work.