The race toward MLS Cup on Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C. continues to intensify as the end of the regular season approaches. In the past week, the Chicago Fire wrested the eighth and final playoff spot away from Columbus and Colorado, who are both one point behind Chicago. The Fire registered a crucial victory over host Columbus on Costa Rican forward Paulo Wanchope's strike in a 1-0 result.
Six weeks remain in the regular season, but if it ended today, the eight teams below would qualify. They are listed according to their would-be opponents in two-game, aggregate goals playoff series:
Eastern Conference Semifinals
D.C. United vs. Kansas City Wizards
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls
Western Conference Semifinals
Houston Dynamo vs. Chicago Fire*
Chivas USA vs. FC Dallas
*As the fifth team to qualify from the Eastern Conference, Chicago would shift over to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket. Full qualification and seeding procedure is below.
By winning a top-of-the-table clash with New England yesterday, D.C. United extended its unbeaten streak to eight games and can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a tie in its next game. United hosts Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and will try to expand its lead over Houston and New England for first place overall. The MLS team with the best regular season record at the end of the season wins the Supporters' Shield and automatically qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
MLS CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Individual clubs have information on specific dates for their respective potential home matches.
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
CONFERENCE FINALS
Thurs., Nov. 8 teams and site TBD (ESPN2)
Sat., Nov. 10 teams and site TBD
MLS CUP
Sun., Nov. 18, Noon (ABC) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
CURRENT OVERALL MLS STANDINGS
Team : Points : Games Left : Max Pts.
D.C. United : 46 : 6 : 64
NE Revolution : 42 : 6 : 62
Houston Dynamo : 42 : 5 : 57
Chivas USA : 40 : 8 : 64
FC Dallas : 39 : 7 : 60
NY Red Bulls : 36 : 6 : 54
Kansas City Wizards : 33 : 6 : 51
Chicago Fire : 29 : 7 : 50
Colorado Rapids : 28 : 6 : 46
Columbus Crew : 28 : 6 : 46
Toronto FC : 20 : 7 : 41
Real Salt Lake : 18 : 8 : 42
LA Galaxy : 17 : 10 : 47
