A dramatic Deadline Day has provided us the 12-team field for the the 2015 MLS playoff field, and it wasn’t an easy process.
The New York Red Bulls finished with the best record in MLS, edging FC Dallas by goal difference, while Sporting KC defeated the LA Galaxy on the final day to secure the final spot in the MLS playoffs, beating out the San Jose Earthquakes.
In the East, the Columbus made an impressive statement by posting a 5-0 thrashing of D.C. United to secure the No. 2 seed, while Montreal defeated Toronto FC to grab the No. 3 seed and earn a playoff match against their Canadian rivals.
In the West, the Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Houston to grab hold of the No. 2 seed, taking advantage of the LA Galaxy’s stumble in Kansas City, which will now force the defending champions to travel to Seattle for a mid-week first-round clash.
Here is the full rundown of the MLS playoff field, and matchups:
MLS PLAYOFF
FIRST ROUND (OCT. 28-29)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Thursday, 7 p.m.- (3) Montreal Impact vs. (6) Toronto FC
Wednesday, 7 p.m.- (4) D.C. United vs. (5) New England Revolution
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Thursday, 10 p.m. – (3) Portland Timbers vs. (6) Sporting Kansas City
Wednesday, 10 p.m. – (4) Seattle Sounders vs. (5) LA Galaxy
SECOND ROUND (NOV. 1/NOV. 8)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(1) New York Red Bulls. vs. lowest remaining seed
(2) Columbus Crew vs. second-lowest remaining seed
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(1) FC Dallas vs. lowest remaining seed
(2) Vancouver Whitecaps vs. second-lowest remaining seed
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What do you think of the matchups? Who do you see as the favorite to win it all? Which team do you see surprising people?
Share your thoughts below.
Is there a team playing worse than the LA Galaxy? WTF? Gerrard and Dos Santos have proven ineffective at best, though the term “useless” comes to mind. Same for Zardes and Lleget. And the worst player on their roster right now might be Omar, who must be butt-hurt from the double snub of getting cut from the National team and losing his designated player status with the Galaxy. No wonder Arena is floating himself as the next national team coach.
I hate the midweek start to the playoffs. I would love to see the Seattle-LA match, but a game that doesn’t start until 10pm on a weeknight?! It just isn’t going to happen. Cmon MLS, if you’re going to let all these teams in the playoffs, then at least make a weekend out of it. Otherwise, drop the wild cards, give the teams a full week to recover and prepare and start with conference semis.
Disagree – 1) MLS Cup is already pretty late, 2) this gives the teams that earned the bye an advantage in the first leg and 3) stay up until 12 just this once!
Should have added that an even better solution would be to just have eight teams in the playoffs to begin with which would obviate the need for wild card games.
Yeah I like the idea of 8 teams in the playoffs, puts a little more emphasis on regular season games. Even the college basketball tournament has a lower % of teams able to compete for a championship.
Actually the game doesn’t start at 10pm on a weeknight. It starts at 7pm on a weeknight. Apologies if this doesn’t suit your east coast bias. I’d be happy if you could please push the TFC Montreal match to 7pm. Right now it’s starting at 4pm and that doesn’t really work for me out here in Cali. Thanks.
Keep your bias to yourself. My point is that if we want MLS to grow as a league, the games should be played when most convenient for everyone so as to create more coverage, which is why the weekend is better. Having two marquee teams involved in a playoff game at a time that is tough to view for anyone over 22 in a time zone that represents half the country is just a missed opportunity for MLS.
What’s a west coast and why should I care about it?
“…while Montreal defeated the Portland Timbers to grab the No. 3 seed and earn a playoff match against Canadian rival Toronto FC.”
What?
Great article, maybe some proof reading next time… East vs East – West vs. West Toronto played Montreal…