Playoff Scenarios: With Only One Regular Season MLS Game Left, What Can Happen?

by Scott Kessler on Oct 23, 2011 11:10 AM EDT in News

CHESTER, PA- OCTOBER 15: Coach Peter Nowak of the Philadelphia Union waves to the fans after the game against Toronto FC at PPL Park on October 15, 2011 in Chester, Pennsylvania. The game ended 1-1. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)

Yesterday the Colorado Rapids beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1, meaning that if Sporting Kansas City and the Columbus Crew both won, the Philadelphia Union would potentially fall all the way into the third Wild Card spot. Luckily for Philadelphia, only Sporting won, as Columbus fell to the Chicago Fire. The loss clinched a top three playoff spot for the Union, but whether or not they finish in second or third is still up in the air. The following is what can still happen for the Union, and which team they would face in each scenario.

Philadelphia will finish in second place:

IF the Houston Dynamo draw or lose to the Los Angeles Galaxy
THEN the Union will play the third place team. The Crew would be their opponents, with the first leg being played on Sunday, October 30 in Columbus (the date has been reported by multiple writers).
Sporting Kansas City would face FC Dallas if they win their playoff game against the New York Red Bulls, or the winner of the other wild card playoff game between the Rapids and the Dynamo. The Galaxy would face the lowest seed remaining after those two games. The other playoff game would be the Seattle Sounders versus Real Salt Lake.

The Union drop to third place in the Eastern Conference:

IF the Dynamo beat Los Angeles.
THEN the Union will play the second place team, which would be Houston. The first leg would be played in Philadelphia.
Sporting Kansas City would play Dallas if they win their playoff game against the New York Red Bulls, or the winner of the other wild card playoff game between the Rapids and the Crew. Los Angeles would face the lowest seed remaining after those two games.The other playoff game would be the Sounders versus Salt Lake.

What is the path to Los Angeles for the 2011 MLS Cup for the Union?:

IF the Union finish in second place, then they have to beat the Crew over two legs, then face the winner of Sporting and Dallas/New York.
IF Philadelphia finish in third place, then the Union have to beat Houston over two legs, then face the winner of Kansas City and Dallas/the Red Bulls.

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MLS Cup Playoff Bracket.

Your analysis isn’t exactly correct concerning the Wild Card scenarios. LA, as the SS Winner, gets the lowest seeded team to emerge from the WC Round, and KC gets the other survivor. LA will play Colorado/PNCJ/WC3 KC will play FCD/Colorado/WC3 NY, as the #10 seed, cannot play in the Eastern Bracket, as if they survive FCD, they play the Gaylaxy, which I’m sure ESPN is tossing about.

by ChefJim27 on Oct 23, 2011 11:32 AM EDT reply actions

Should be fixed now.

I made the mistake of typing without remembering that I was covering a MLS, not a team in a rational league.

Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank

by Scott Kessler on Oct 23, 2011 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions

You still have the potential Conference Final opponents as Sporting, Dallas, and New York.

If Houston Dynamo lose (Philadelphia Union face Columbus Crew in Conference Semifinals), the potential opponents in the Conference Final would be Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and New York Red Bulls.

If Houston Dynamo draw (Philadelphia Union face Columbus Crew in Conference Semifinals), the potential opponents in the Conference Final would be Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and Houston Dynamo.

If Houston win (Philadelphia Union face Houston Dynamo in Conference Semifinals), the potential opponents in the Conference Final would be Sporting Kansas City, FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and Columbus Crew.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Lowest seed faces SS??

Wow, I had been under the impression it was the other way around this whole time. Must have misread somewhere, or it just makes more sense the higher seed faces Galaxy.
And here it was looking like we’d actually have all-East and all-West in the respective brackets, way to fuck that up MLS.

by Oshi on Oct 23, 2011 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Worst versus first.

How it worst in every playoff system.

Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank

by Scott Kessler on Oct 23, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

What's the broadcast situation?

Will it be on CSN/TSN, or will we have to find a friend/bar to watch on FSC?

Flyers, Phillies, Union, Eagles, Phantoms, Wings.

by Pelti on Oct 23, 2011 12:22 PM EDT reply actions

I do not believe CSN will be showing playoff games locally

It will either be ESPN, ESPN2, or FSC.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s possible that there could be one broadcast on CSN/TCN or 6abc. Maybe unlikely, but possible.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

In addition to the national broadcast? Interesting.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, sort of. What happens is that Galavision/TeleFutura get national rights to a share of the legs just like ESPN and Fox Soccer, and, like in the regular season, teams are allowed to supplement national Spanish telecasts with local English telecasts. So if Galavision/TeleFutura gets assigned one of the legs, the Union have the right to (and will) do their own broadcast.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

One other nuance...

If Houston draws with L.A., I’m pretty sure they’ll jump over Columbus, into 3rd place. If that happens, our dates will be the same, but we’ll be playing Houston instead of the Crew.

by 3Finger on Oct 23, 2011 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

Houston only has 46 points and Columbus holds the first tiebreaker.

Managing Editor for Brotherly Game, SBNation's Philadelphia Union blog and contributor for SBN Philly. // @scottdkessler
"College is only 4 years, but the Eagles are for life." - Ironhank

by Scott Kessler on Oct 23, 2011 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions

why would the game be in Columbus if the union are a higher seed than them? Thats the part that confuses me

by $ick Na$ty on Oct 23, 2011 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

It is a two leg series

The first game is at the lesser seeded team so that way the higher seeded team gets home field advantage last, meaning that extra time and PKs would be at the venue of the higher seeded team and the higher seeded team has a chance to strike first with away goals, as if the aggregate goal total is tied after both matches, the team with the most away goals advances. If away goals are tied as well, then you see extra time and if it is still tied after extra time, PKs.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Underway in Robertson Stadium

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:08 PM EDT reply actions

Watching this is exactly why I really hope the Union don’t expand their partnership with Villanova. Houston fans must be so happy that they won’t have to see this next year.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, this is rather hideous to look at

I am a Villanova fan and would love to see them expand to D1, but I’m not gonna lie. This field is hideous. U of Houston red does not match with Houston Dynamo colors at all.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Good save by Ricketts

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:13 PM EDT reply actions

28' Houston Dynamo goal

From 40 yards out. Wow.

Los Angeles Galaxy 0-1 Houston Dynamo

Not good.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:36 PM EDT reply actions

Absolute cannon from Moffat.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

…that it deflected off of Danny Cruz probably helped.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Houston Dynamo are dominating possession in this game.

At least it certainly seems that way.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:44 PM EDT reply actions

How does Peter Vermes not come up in that conversation as coach of the year? All due credit to the others they mentioned, Arena, Schmid, Nowak and Spencer, but for Sporting to win the Eastern Conference with their ridiculous schedule…

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly.

What SKC did this year was ridiculous.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions

the radio people on mlssoccer.com were all boosting vermes earlier in the week for coach of the year for the same reasons.

by Rhayes on Oct 23, 2011 8:03 PM EDT up reply actions

2nd half underway in Houston

Dynamo lead it 1-0. We’d like a Galaxy goal.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:09 PM EDT reply actions

Book those flights to Houston…

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 8:12 PM EDT reply actions

Another Houston Dynamo goal.

Boswell. I’m not sure if Ricketts ever knew it was coming until it already came.

It looks like we’re staying home then travelling to Houston.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

On the plus side, the Union haven’t lost to Houston yet.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions

To quote Gene Hart, this one’s in the suitcase. Union-Dynamo coming up…

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 8:38 PM EDT reply actions

Another Houston Dynamo goal. Los Angeles Galaxy 0-3 Houston Dynamo

Yep. The regular started at Houston. And the postseason will now start with Houston.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:39 PM EDT reply actions

*regular season started in Houston

/fail

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Goal for the Galaxy in the 89th minute!

Nice touch, but likely too little too late.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:53 PM EDT reply actions

Good for McBean. Similar situation to McInerney’s first.

Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog

by Ben Feldman on Oct 23, 2011 8:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Full Time

It’s official. Houston Dynamo will be packing their bags to come here on Sunday, and then we will go to Houston.

Houston Dynamo are Philadelphia Union’s first ever playoff opponent.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

An added benefit to playing Houston Dynamo is they do have a blog on the SBN network (Dynamo Theory)

Unlike Columbus Crew, the only MLS team which currently does not.

Although I am almost positive Columbus Crew used to have one. But either they shut down, were forced down (wouldn’t be the first time that happened to an SBN blog covering centered around Columbus), or were a figment of my imagination to begin with.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 9:10 PM EDT reply actions

i’m relatively new to sbnation

so blogs being shut down on the network is news to me, and interesting at that.

share?

by ColeStevens on Oct 23, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions

It was over a year ago so some of the details might be murky

But the Ohio State blog at the time, Buckeye Battle Cry (or BBC for short) were not pleased with a Michigan on their blog, so they got his employment information and told his employer about what he was doing on their blog.

A big brouhaha ensued and they got kicked off the network.

Along The Olentangy served as their replacement. Interestingly enough, ATO is the 4th Ohio State blog on the network from what I have been told. Buckeye Battle Cry was the 3rd. What became of the first two or who they were I have no idea.

Editor at SB Nation's Philadelphia Union blog, The Brotherly Game. Follow me on Twitter.

by Justin F. on Oct 23, 2011 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions