Following the Chicago Fire's 5-2 romp of the New York Red Bulls tonight, we now know that a win in Columbus on Sunday would book the team a ticket to the MLS Cup playoffs. Tonight's result also ensures the Kansas City Wizards a spot in the post-season. The Eastern Conference standings now look like this (x=clinched playoff spot, italics=eliminated):
x-Columbus - 54 points (29 Games Played)
x-Chicago - 46 points (30 GP)
x-New England - 43 points (29 GP)
x-Kansas City - 39 points (29 GP)
New York - 39 points (30 GP)
D.C. United - 37 points (29 GP)
Toronto FC - 35 points (29 GP)
Now, things are down to Kansas City-New England and D.C.-Columbus games this weekend. Here are the possibilities if United wins:
- If KC wins and United wins, KC takes the No. 4 seed in the East and United takes the No. 4 seed in the West.
- If KC draws and United wins, KC takes the No. 4 seed in the East and United takes the No. 4 seed in the West - unless D.C. wins by 3+ goals, then they'd swap positions.
- If KC loses and United wins, the Black-and-Red grab the No. 4 seed in the East, while the Wizards would settle for No. 4 in the West.
- United cannot make the playoffs with a draw or loss.
We couldn't have asked for anything more tonight. We now control our own playoff destiny.
Win on Sunday and we're in.
