The MLS Cup Playoff picture continues to take shape as D.C. United became the second Eastern Conference team to clinch their spot with a convincing 4-1 win over the MetroStars on Saturday night at Giants Stadium. With the Western Conference players all in place, the final two entries into the East could be decided this week. Click here for the complete standings.
All four midweek games carry the importance of playoff seeding for some teams, and potentially clinching or staying alive for others. The Chicago Fire could become the third consecutive team to clinch their entry into the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a win or tie against the MetroStars on Wednesday night at Soldier Field. The MetroStars however, would tie the idle Kansas City Wizards for the final spot in the East should they win on the road. Both the MetroStars and Kansas City would have two games remaining, and since their head-to-head tiebreaker is even, overall goal differential may be needed as the second tie-breaker. Click here for the complete tie-breaker order.
Columbus faces another must-win, however also needs help from Chicago or they could be eliminate them from consideration with two games remaining following Wednesday.
What follows are the scenarios in play ahead of action on October 5:
Chicago Fire can clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs with:
(a) A win or tie vs. the MetroStars
Columbus Crew can be eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs with:
(a) A loss or tie vs. FC Dallas
(b) MetroStars win or tie vs. Chicago
2005 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
At the end of the season four teams qualify from each conference and advance to the home-and-home, aggregate goal MLS Cup Conference Semifinals (No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3). The two teams left standing in each conference will meet in the single-elimination Conference Championships with the winners advancing to MLS Cup 2005 at Pizza Hut Park on Nov. 13 (live on ABC Sports at 3:30 p.m. ET).
