Top Stories

MLS Playoff Race (Through Week 25)

LjundbergBurch (ISIphotos.com) 

                                                                    Photo by ISIphotos.com

By TRAVIS CLARK

With the International break taking most other leagues around the world out of action, the reduced schedule left just three fixtures over the weekend. All three had playoff implications, however slight, as more than half the clubs involved remain in the thick of the race.

Colorado improved their chances the most with a win against Toronto FC, and sit just four points behind Houston, whose lead has suddenly dwindled down. The Rapids also have two games in hand on the West leaders, sitting just behind LA for the second spot in the West. They face a touch matchup in Toronto this weekend, but three points there would be another bonus. With just two home games left in Commerce City, performing on the road will be crucial to a playoff spot.

One team that couldn't get it done on the road was D.C., which drew 2-2 in Frisco. It's looking ever precarious for the club fresh off the Open Cup defeat. The good news for United is that it now has five consecutive league matches at home. Tom Soehn's team cannot afford many more draws.

Here's a look at the current breakdown:

Eastern Conference

Columbus………..1.69 points per match (ppm); 39 points from 23 matches

Chicago………….1.58 ppm; 38 points from 24 matches

Western Conference

Houston………….1.6 ppm; 40 points from 25 matches

Los Angeles………1.58 ppm; 38 points from 24 matches

Wild Card Playoff Slots

Colorado………..1.57 ppm; 36 pts from 23 matches

Chivas USA……..1.5 ppm; 33 pts from 22 matches

New England…….1.5 ppm; 33 from 22 matches

Seattle………….1.41 ppm; 34 pts from 24 matches

Playoff Contenders

D.C. United……..1.38 ppm; 33 points from 24 matches

Real Salt Lake…..1.38 ppm; 33 points from 24 matches

Toronto…………1.29 ppm; 31 points from 24 matches

Current First-Round Playoff Pairings

Columbus Crew vs. Seattle Sounders

Houston Dynamo vs. New England Revolution

Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA

Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids

—–

Those three games change the playoff implications, tweaking a few of the matchups. The home loss for New England doesn't bode well for the Revs, but they still control their own destiny going forward. Seattle is clinging to that last playoff spot, and will likely need to perform away from Qwest to ensure a playoff spot. They showed last Wednesday that it is possible, but a three-week stretch in late September takes them to New England, Columbus, Kansas City will determine their postseason fate.

Who do you think will make the playoffs? Will Seattle continue their run and make the playoffs? Of the three teams on the outside looking in (D.C., RSL, Toronto) will any of those make it in?
 
Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Houston vs. LA in the final. i want to say that i am rooting for the teams that play the best down the stretch but really i hope RSL, TFC, DC and/or Seattle make the playoffs. the top organizations with the best stadiums and best fans.

    Reply
  2. You hoe a row (as in a field), you drive or walk a road.

    That is, unless you actually meant Houston is like a whore working a street that’s tough to find business on.

    Posted by: KireDCU

    ________

    Why go ugly? Mixed metaphor that troubling to you….

    Reply
  3. LETS GO DALLAS!!!….LETS GO!!….. I can dream, right?

    Posted by: Tony T | September 08, 2009 at 01:27 PM

    That’s not a dream man. That’s a nightmare!

    Reply
  4. Go Dynamo! I expect a COL/CHI East semi but given that CHI has been a very tuff road team this year…either way, we’ll have a tuff road to hoe to the title.

    Posted by: Jeff in Houston

    You hoe a row (as in a field), you drive or walk a road.

    That is, unless you actually meant Houston is like a whore working a street that’s tough to find business on.

    Reply
  5. i hope that Chicago, Columbus, Toronto, LA Galaxy, Houston, Sounders, and DC United make the playoffs because they are the most fun to watch / have the best combination of good play and good atmosphere

    Reply
  6. Go Dynamo! I expect a COL/CHI East semi but given that CHI has been a very tuff road team this year…either way, we’ll have a tuff road to hoe to the title.

    Reply
  7. I agree with Greg. It’s my understanding that, because there are three qualifiers from the West, the last – Seattle- moves to the East and the first round pairings would be:
    Columbus vs Seattle
    Chicago vs New England
    Houston vs Chivas USA
    Los Angeles vs Colorado

    Reply
  8. RSL and toronto has 3 home games left, while Seattle and colorado have 2 left. DC has 5 home games starting Wed, Dc only needs to win its home games and they are in. Lets see what happens

    P.S. anyone know how many home games new england and chivas have left?

    Reply
  9. I would really like to see new england make it deep into the playoffs this year and i think they have the skill to do it especially with steve nicol as coach.

    Reply
  10. I think you are overlooking some huge facts, while there is still a gap between how many matches have been played by some teams you have to remember that RSL had a great year against some teams and big wins at home give them the tiebreaker against: DC United, Columbus, New England, Chivas, Galaxy, and currently a 3-0 win over TFC.

    That will end up factoring in the playoff race and it will provide RSL with enough of an edge to get in.

    Reply
  11. I thought teams stayed within their conference for the playoffs unless they were the 5th/6th team to qualify for the playoffs?

    Ex. Red Bulls was 5th Eastern team to qualify.

    Reply
  12. I’m a Sounders supporter and am new to the MLS. I just have to say that the run-in to the playoffs is looking to be exciting. I’m stoked about how the whole league has shaped up with tight races for both the playoffs and the Shield. Go MLS!

    I’d be the big ‘mo has returned to Seattle with the Open Cup win. One more over DC this weekend and we’re back in the driver’s seat.

    Reply
  13. LETS GO DALLAS!!!….LETS GO!!….. I can dream, right?
    Posted by: Tony T | September 08, 2009 at 01:27 PM

    Fine line between dreams and delusions my friend. Not sure you’re on the right side of that line

    Reply
  14. Seattle is sagging their way out of the playoffs. The east better get moving or 5 west teams will make the playoffs.

    Colorado is going to be third in the West, followed by a resurging RSL. DC will struggle to make the playoffs unless they start throwing reserves out in the Concacaf Champions League which they’ve already blown.

    Reply
  15. The impact on the three teams particpating in the CCL is going to eb a huge theme the next month plus.

    My guess Houston and Columbus both struggle enough to fight on both fronts and make the run for the Supporters Shield a race between up to 6 teams.

    Reply
  16. Don’t count out Columbus to bring home the cup again, especially if they get home field…they are nearly impossible to beat at CCS and are the deepest team in MLS….

    Reply
  17. I agree that the Sounders atmosphere would be great for people to see on TV during the playoffs. It will be interesting to see what the Galaxy do, with Donovan likely to leave after this season. Unfortunately the last couple years of circus have helped people to forget that the Galaxy have been a great team. They are the only team other than DC to win CONCACAF Champions Cup.

    Reply
  18. I hope Seattle does make it in. The more time on TV in a stadium that will probably expand more seating during playoffs is good for the league. They draw what some of the medium clubs in the EPL draw and have potential to draw more.

    DC should not make it in, if only for the ownership to shake up the team and start rebuilding.

    Galaxy are in and hopefully win supporters shield. Hopefully Beckham leaves and we bring in more overall talent so that we can do better in the international club competitions. Arena could build this club so that it makes those of us in the US proud of MLS.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to mike Cancel reply