By TRAVIS CLARK
Eastern Conference
Columbus………..1.72 points per match (ppm); 43 points from 25 matches
Chicago………….1.54 ppm; 40 points from 26 matches
Western Conference
Houston………….1.59 ppm; 43 points from 27 matches
Los Angeles………1.58 ppm; 41 points from 26 matches
Wild Card Playoff Slots
Chivas USA……..1.54 ppm; 37 pts from 24 matches
Colorado………..1.46 ppm; 38 pts from 26 matches
Seattle………….1.46 ppm; 38 pts from 26 matches
New England…….1.41 ppm; 34 from 24 matches
Playoff Contenders
D.C. United……..1.38 ppm; 36 points from 26 matches
Toronto…………1.30 ppm; 34 points from 26 matches
Real Salt Lake…..1.30 ppm; 34 points from 26 matches
Current First-Round Playoff Pairings
Columbus Crew vs. New England Revolution
Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
Chicago Fire vs. Chivas USA
At this late stage in the season, losses kill bids — and perhaps RSL's loss to Houston was their death knell. Toronto and RSL both have the least room for error, and will need the likes of Chivas and New England to lose their games in hand. D.C. has three league games at home remaining, and will need to avoid their nasty habit of drawing in front of the RFK faithful if they hope to make the playoffs.
What do you think of the MLS playoff race at this stage? Will either D.C., RSL or Toronto sneak in? Or is the top eight going to hang on? Share your thoughts below.
I predict GBS, Gaven and Rogers will dive their way to the SS. Just like last season.
Man f****k Seattle
Nah, I kid, just thought the comments lacked the usual Sounders dislike and I was getting nostalgic
I agree with some here saying DC needs a new coach. Clearly, Soehn’s cycle is over. I’d like to see somebody interesting come to coach the most decorated team in the league. There’s a lot of firepower in the team with Emilio, Pontius, Quaranta, Gomez, etc… Too much for too little in return.
@Hardhead
Right now Colorado is behind Seattle. They are equal on points but Seattle won at home and tied on the road against the Rapids.
As a DC United fan: I want to get in, while Seattle misses out.
As a soccer fan: I would like to see Seattle get in. The atmosphere is going to be great and will help create extra buzz.
As an MLS fan: I’d like to see New England miss out, their support is horrible.
I will welcome Chicago back to RFK with open arms for another playoff game. I remember the last time Blanco…
DC will be going through, but barely. It starts with a win this weekend at home against San Jose. If the cannot get three out of that, they will be toast. But I think they will dominate the Quakes this weekend. Unless Soehn can get them deep in the playoffs, he is gone.
Either way, D.C. United will need a new coach. This year has turned into repeat of last year’s disaster.
Still, I’m hoping United can get their act together and win their remaining matches. Too many draws!
Why would LA draw Colorado and not Seattle? Doesn’t Seattle have a better head-to-head against the Rapids?
You never know about RSL, they could pull one out. Without Olave next match, it’ll be tough
Sorry, I can’t edit that comment. Chivas isn’t ranked last in the west, Seattle is. So the pairings are:
Columbus Crew vs. Seattle Sounders
Houston Dynamo vs. Colorado Rapids
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Chivas USA
Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
These playoff pairings are incorrect. The rules state:
A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.
So, it would be:
Columbus Crew vs. Chivas USA
Houston Dynamo vs. Seattle Sounders
Los Angeles Galaxy vs. Colorado Rapids
Chicago Fire vs. New England Revolution
Which makes finishing first in a division seem like a liability if the other division has 5 teams. The first-place team has to travel cross-country to a possibly higher ranked team compared with the second place team in that division who gets to stay on the same side of the country.
RSL allowing stoppage time equalizers on multiple occasions this year might prove to be their ultimate downfall. I can think of 8 points lost like that this season, 6 at home.
looking at the picture on this thread, it looks like Blanco is lining up his next dive
games in hand is huge in all of this.
Columbus has games in hand on Houston (2) and LA and Chicago (1). That gives them a big edge in the SS chase.
New England has one to two games in hand to just about everyone. That is also notable.
I expect this weekend’s match between Columbus and LA will basically decide the SS. If Columbus gets three, it will be tough to catch them. If LA wins, it’s still up for grabs, but that brings others back into the mix.
RSL needs about 8 points from 2 home games and 2 away games… “He’s Dead Jim”
KCB & jig-
im not given up hope either, its still possible, must win the remaining 3 home and try to get all the pts in on th road.. atleast we are seeing improvement now
Would LOVE to see DC, Toronto, and RSL in there in terms of playoff atmosphere. Got to get a drab NE out worse case.
KC isn’t going down without a fight!
C’MON WIZARDS!
I’d love to see the Sounders get in v. Dynamo. That’d be great!
First we gotta score some goals though,eh?
i cant believe LA’s turnaround this year. Supporters shield would be fantastic! would guarantee us home field advantage and Champions league next year.
look out for KC!
If DC doesnt make it again this year, you have to think Soehn is out.