Yes, LAFC are already in, but if they finish in one of the direct MLS slots, that creates the need for a team to backfill the slot under Rule 5.1.7.6, which is the only place where the goal difference tiebreaker is stated.
Now I'm all confused...so if Columbus wins MLS Cup the runner up goes to the round of 16? That would be too many slots wouldn't it if they aren't already qualified, unless someone doesn't qualify with the supporter's shield standings.
When the regular season is over, there will be one remaining open slot for MLS teams, and that slot includes a bye to the round of 16. If a team not already qualified wins MLS Cup, they take that slot. If a team already qualified but not Columbus wins MLS Cup, they take that slot, and their previous slot is filled with a backfilling mechanism. If Columbus wins MLS Cup, the MLS Cup runner-up takes that slot.
I think they should give the last spot to San Jose. They "won" the Wooden Spoon. Their "reward" should be to play in a competition and get slaughtered (or, even funnier, they won the damned thing).
An away tie in Haiti or the Guyanan rain forest would be the perfect punishment. I read about a 4th division French team that were drawn away in French Guiana in the French Cup. They had about a 8 days to arrange time off work and get shots, had a three step flight to get to Guiana, then had to travel for hours into the jungle before playing and doing the reverse journey. I think they won.
Seems safe to say this international break game is going better for Columbus than the last international break game. At least this time they have a goalkeeper in the game for the entire game.
Watching the Revs tonight, I couldn't help but think that their defending was like me scuba diving: Clueless MFers drowning. Jezz, they're bad.