MLS Playoffs: Updated Scenarios

Okay, so this just came hot off the presses as well. Something that I had been waiting to see from the league itself, the updated playoff scenarios going into the final weekend of action. Nice to see the full breakdown really before we start predicting everything that will and won’t happen.

Anyways, below is the full list of possible scenarios…there are quite a few believe it or not. Try not to get too confused by all the mess, I will admit I had to read over this a couple times to get it all in…

Chicago Fire:
• Will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· Chicago defeats LA on Sunday OR IF
· Chicago ties LA on Sunday AND any two of the following occur:
· LA fails to win against NY on Thursday
· Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday
· Colorado fails to win against RSL on Saturday OR IF
· Chicago loses to LA on Sunday AND any two of the following occur:
· LA loses to NY on Thursday
· Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday
· Colorado fails to win against RSL on Saturday

Chicago Will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Chicago ties LA on Sunday AND both of the following occur:
· Kansas City defeats FC Dallas Saturday
· Colorado defeats RSL on Saturday OR IF:
· Chicago loses to LA on Sunday AND any two of the following occur:
· LA earns at least a point against NY on Thursday
· Kansas City earns at least a point against FC Dallas on Saturday
· Colorado defeats RSL on Saturday

Los Angeles Galaxy:
• If LA defeats NY on Thursday, the Galaxy will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· LA ties or defeats Chicago on Sunday AND either of the following occur:
· Colorado fails to win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday
· Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday

• If LA ties NY on Thursday, the Galaxy will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· LA defeats Chicago on Sunday AND either of the following occur:
· Colorado fails to win against RSL on Saturday
· Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday

• Will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· LA loses to New York on Thursday OR IF:
· LA ties New York on Thursday AND
· LA ties or loses to Chicago next Sunday

Kansas City Wizards:
• Will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· Kansas City defeats FC Dallas on Saturday OR
· Kansas City ties FC Dallas on Saturday AND any two of the following occur:
· LA fails to win BOTH of its two games
· Colorado fails to win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday
· Colorado wins by less than three goals^
· Chicago loses to LA on Sunday

• Will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Kansas City loses to FC Dallas on Saturday AND either of the following occur:
· Colorado defeats Real Salt Lake
· LA earns six points from its two games OR IF
· Kansas City ties FC Dallas on Saturday AND any two of the following occur:
· Chicago earns at least a point against LA on Sunday
· Colorado defeats Real Salt Lake by three goals on Saturday
· LA earns six points from its two games

^Note: Because Colorado and Kansas City tied both times they met this season, their placing will be determined by goal differential if they finish the season tied in points.

Colorado Rapids:
• Will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· Colorado defeats Real Salt Lake on Saturday AND any two of the following occur:
· Los Angeles does not win both its games this week
· Chicago loses or ties Sunday
· Kansas City loses Saturday
· Kansas City ties Saturday and Colorado defeats RSL by three goals

• Colorado will be eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Colorado fails to win against Real Salt Lake on Saturday OR IF any two of the following occur:
· Chicago wins Sunday
· Kansas City wins Saturday
· Los Angeles wins both its games this week

Other important permutations of this week’s games include:

Chivas USA:
• Will clinch first place in the Western Conference IF:
· Chivas USA ties or defeats Houston on Saturday

Houston Dynamo:
• Will clinch first place in the Western Conference IF:
· Houston defeats Chivas USA on Saturday

MLS CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE (some had asked if I would post what I knew)
Individual clubs have information on specific dates for their respective home matches.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 – Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 – Sun., Nov. 4

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 – Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 – Sun., Nov. 4

CONFERENCE FINALS:
Thurs., Nov. 8 teams and site TBD (ESPN2)
Sat., Nov. 10 teams and site TBD

MLS CUP
Sun., Nov. 18, Noon (ABC) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.