Unfamiliar with the new MLS playoff structure? Wondering what the Galaxy need to do in the final three games of the regular season to position themselves for the playoffs/ And what about their playoff rivals?

We’ve got you covered with today’s column.

BTW, defender A.J. DeLagarza is out at least a month with the Galaxy likely to reveal more details later today.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy aren’t the only Western Conference team suffering a late-season injury blow, as our sister paper the San Jose Mercury News reports.