The first round of Major League Soccer playoffs has begun. Of the 15 teams in MLS, eight qualified for the playoffs. The top two teams from the Eastern and Western conferences are the top two seeds in each conference playoff bracket. The next four highest teams, regardless of their regular season conference affiliation, fill out the remaining positions.
In the Eastern Conference, Columbus Crew is the number one seed playing number four seed Real Salt Lake. Number two seed Chicago Fire takes on the New England Revolution. In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Galaxy is the number one seed playing number four seed Chivas USA. Number two seed Houston takes on number three seed Seattle.
In the first round of the playoffs, two games are played, one at each team's home stadium. The cumulative score from the home-and-home series determines which team advances to the next round. Following the first round, single elimination games follow, culminating in the MLS Cup on November 22 in Seattle.
In first round action to date:
- Real Salt Lake leads Columbus Crew 1-0. Scoring for this match resumes on November 5 at Columbus.
- New England Revolution leads the Chicago Fire 2-1. Scoring for this match resumes November 7 in Chicago.
- L.A. Galaxy and Chivas USA are tied 2-2. Scoring for this match resumes November 8 in Carson, CA at the Home Depot Center, which both teams claim as their home stadium.
- Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders ended their first game scoreless. The match resumes November 8 in Houston.
Comments
Well done Real Salt Lake last night. It was a very entertaining game. I feel bad for Schelotto, though. He probably is the best player to ever play in Major League Soccer. Pure class.
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