The 2012 MLS Playoffs kick off tonight with the Chicago Fire taking on the Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference wild card match-up at Toyota Park in a race that could see any number of teams lift the championship trophy once the post-season is done.
Ten teams will be vying for the MLS Cup title over the course of the next month, and while there are teams considered favorites to reach the final, the race appears as wide open as any in years.
Sporting Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes enter the playoffs as favorites given their status as regular season conference champions, but more than half the teams in the playoffs can be considered as having strong chances to lift the MLS Cup trophy in December.
As we prepare to provide you with playoff coverage today, our question is this: Which team do you see winning the MLS Cup Final? Will the Earthquakes continue their dramatic winning ways? Will Sporting KC’s stingy defense prove too tough to beat? Can the Los Angeles Galaxy find a way to rally from a wild card spot to repeat as champions?
Cast your vote after the jump:
- San Jose Earthquakes
- Sporting Kansas City
- D.C. United
- New York Red Bulls
- Real Salt Lake
- Chicago Fire
- Seattle Sounders
- Los Angeles Galaxy
- Houston Dynamo
- Vancouver Whitecaps
Who did you vote for? Which team do you think could be the surprise of the playoffs? Which teams do you see making the final?
Share your thoughts below.