Three down, seven to go. The 2011 MLS Cup playoff picture is starting to come into focus, and in the upcoming week, five more teams can join the LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders and Real Salt Lake by clinching spots in the postseason.
FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City and Philadelphia can grab playoff berths with simple victories in their next matches. Colorado and Columbus can join them if other results bounce their way.
Here are the updated playoff scenarios for Week 31:
FC Dallas will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
· They defeat Chicago (Oct. 12)
OR
· They tie Chicago (Oct. 12) AND
· There is a winner in the Portland-Houston game (Oct. 14) AND
· New York lose to Kansas City (Oct. 15)
Sporting Kansas City will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
· They defeat New York (Oct. 15)
Philadelphia Union will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
· They defeat Toronto FC (Oct. 15)
OR
· They tie Toronto FC (Oct. 15) AND
· Portland and Houston tie (Oct. 14) OR
· New York tie or lose to Kansas City (Oct. 15)
OR
· There is a winner in the Portland-Houston game (Oct. 14) AND
· New York lose to Kansas City (Oct. 15)
Colorado Rapids will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
· They defeat Real Salt Lake (Oct. 14) AND
· Portland and Houston tie (Oct. 14) OR
· New York tie or lose to Kansas City (Oct. 15) OR
· D.C. United lose to Vancouver (Oct. 12)
Columbus Crew will clinch a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs if:
· They defeat New England (Oct. 15) AND
· There is a winner in the Portland-Houston game (Oct. 14) AND
· New York lose to Kansas City (Oct. 15)
Chicago Fire will be eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs contention if:
· They lose to FC Dallas (Oct. 12) AND
· Houston win or tie vs. Portland (Oct. 14) AND
· New York win or tie vs. Kansas City (Oct. 15)
OR
· They tie FC Dallas (Oct. 12) AND
· Houston win vs. Portland (Oct. 14) AND
· New York win vs. Kansas City (Oct. 15) AND
· Columbus win or tie vs. New England (Oct. 15)
