There wasn’t a lot of movement as a result of this past weekend’s matches, but what there was will cause the supporters of a number of teams to have a very anxious final weekend of the 2009 MLS season. Seven teams are still vying for the three remaining playoff spots, so just about every match this weekend is going to have playoff implications for at least one of the teams involved. Let’s get to it!
IN
Columbus Crew (Eastern Conference Champions)
Chicago Fire S.C. (Eastern Conference Runners-up)
Los Angeles Galaxy (Western Conference Champions)
Houston Dynamo (Western Conference Runners-up)
Chivas U.S.A. (45 points)
Seattle Sounders F.C. (44 points)
Colorado Rapids (40 points)
Toronto F.C. (39 points)
(Teams in italics have clinched a playoff spot)
OUT
New England Revolution (39pts/42pts): When New England fail to make the playoffs (yes, I’ve finally admitted that this is the likely outcome) they will only have themselves to blame. Yes, injuries have been a problem, but when you only need to take four points from your final five matches and you can- to date- only manage two, you’re in trouble. New England must win against Columbus on Saturday and then hope that the matches involving Toronto, Dallas, and D.C. United go their way.
D.C. United (39pts/42pts): United win against conference and league leaders Columbus this past weekend was huge. Now they will at least enter the season’s final weekend with a chance of making the playoffs. As with all of the teams currently on 39 points, they must win their match (against Kansas City) and hope that the other matches- those involving Toronto, New England, and Dallas- go the right way for them.
F.C. Dallas (39pts/42pts): Who knows what will happen this weekend against Seattle, but Dallas still have a chance and who would have thought that a few months ago? Unfortunately, of the teams still trying to make the playoffs, only New England have a more difficult opponent- Columbus- standing in their way. That being said, a lot of people (myself included) have counted Dallas out before only to be proven wrong, so we’ll see…
Real Salt Lake (37pts/40pts): Let’s take a look at what has to happen for RSL to make the playoffs. First, they must defeat Colorado. Second, Toronto must lose to New York. Third, D.C. must lose to the Wizards. Fourth, New England must lose to Columbus. OR, all of those teams must be involved in draws and RSL has to be able to win the “tie breakers” against all of them. I don’t think they’re going to make the playoffs.
MATHEMATICALLY ELIMINATED
Kansas City Wizards (32pts/35pts): They stayed in the playoff hunt almost until the end. Maybe next year.
San Jose Earthquakes (30pts/33pts): I can’t help but be impressed by the second half of the Quake’s season. Not only did they keep alive in the playoff race for about a month longer than I expected them to, but they will likely finish the season with 10+ points more than the Red Bulls after being neck-and-neck with them for the bulk of the season.
New York Red Bulls (18pts/21pts): Enjoy your last match in the Meadowlands, change your name to “New Jersey Red Bulls,” and get ready for another team in the metro area, but one that’s really in New York- I hope.
THE MATCHES THAT MATTER MOST
Toronto F.C. v. New York Red Bulls: It pretty much has to be this match, doesn’t it? If Toronto can pull out a win it really won’t matter what happens in the rest of the weekend’s matches. If they lose or draw, it’s going to make for an insane 24 hours in MLS.
