League announces fixture dates for 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs

NEW YORK — Major League Soccer announced dates for this season’s MLS Cup Playoff matches, culminating in MLS Cup 2011 on Sunday, Nov. 20 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The road to the League’s 16th championship consists of 13 total games, with a break for FIFA fixture dates (Nov. 11 & 15) between the conference championships and MLS Cup. The broadcast schedule and kickoff times for playoff games will be announced at a later date.

Ten teams will qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs upon the conclusion of the regular season on Sunday, Oct. 23. The top three teams in each conference will enter as automatic qualifiers and the next four teams, regardless of conference, will enter the Wild Card Games.

To see the current playoff standings and full qualification procedures, CLICK HERE: //www.mlssoccer.com/playoffstandings

The 2011 MLS Cup Playoff schedule

(prospective teams listed as if the season ended today: updated Oct. 22) is as follows:

Wild Card Games – hosted by higher seed; single elimination
(Currently Houston Dynamo at FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls at Colorado Rapids)

Wed., Oct. 26
Thurs., Oct. 27

Conference Semifinals, First Leg – hosted by lower seed
(Currently LA Galaxy at lowest remaining wild card; Sporting Kansas City at other remaining wild card; Seattle Sounders at Real Salt Lake; and Philadelphia Union at Columbus Crew)

Sat., Oct. 29
Sat., Oct. 29
Sun., Oct. 30
Sun., Oct. 30

Conference Semifinals, Second Leg –hosted by higher seed; winner by aggregate goals
(Currently lowest wild card at LA Galaxy; other remaining wild card team at Sporting Kansas Cty; Real Salt Lake at Seattle Sounders; and Columbus Crew at Philadelphia Union)