The 2012 MLS Cup playoffs field is set. With Seattle's defeat of FC Dallas on Sunday evening, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC became the 10th and final team to clinch a berth in the postseason.
Despite falling to the Portland Timbers 1-0 on Sunday, the Whitecaps have earned 42 points throughout the season and still have one game remaining. FC Dallas have earned 38 points across 33 games and, with one game still to play, they are mathematically unable to overtake the Whitecaps in points.
While seeding for the Eastern Conference is still in question heading into the final week of the regular season, the picture for the Western Conference is now clear. The LA Galaxy and Vancouver (the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds) will play in the Knockout Round, a one-off match at the Home Depot Center in two weeks.
The winner of that match will face the Supporters' Shield-winning San Jose Earthquakes in the home-and-home Western Conference Semifinals. Seattle and Real Salt Lake will contest the other Western Semi — both teams are tied on 56 points and the regular season's final weekend will determine which club gets the No. 2 and 3 seedings in that pairing.
SEE 2012 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS BRACKET
Below are the 10 teams, five from each conference, that qualified for the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs:
Western Conference
San Jose Earthquakes
Real Salt Lake
LA Galaxy
Seattle Sounders FC
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Eastern Conference
Sporting Kansas City
Chicago Fire
D.C. United
New York Red Bulls
Houston Dynamo
