Serious "squeaky bum time" for MLS clubs still hunting playoff spots

by Steve Davis on Oct 18, 2009 9:12 PM EDT

Never has an MLS final weekend been so muddled.

But really, that’s a good thing. It's good to watch the mayhem in the muddle -- so long as you're not knee-deep in it.

Round 31 finished Sunday evening in a scoreless tie in Houston, where the Galaxy has gone into pack-the-back, playoff safety mode. And it worked. Bruce Arena’s side split the points against a Dynamo team that has gone wobbly at a very bad wrong time. Since overcoming the Chicago Fire back on Aug. 9 (and having to hang on desperately to do that), the Dynamo has earned 7 of a possible 21 points. Yuk.

You want to talk about muddled? Houston can still finish first in the West. Or, depending upon how things fall in what promises to be a wild Round 32, the Dynamo could place fourth in the West.

At least Houston is in the playoffs. So is Columbus, L.A., Seattle and Chivas USA. Seven teams remain alive for three other spots.

Hell, just a few years ago, this league only had seven teams to fill those eight playoff spots!

OK, that’s not true. But it wasn’t so long ago that just 10 teams were in the field. So, this type of wide-ranging drama just didn’t exist – mostly because making the playoffs wasn’t even that big of a deal. So some clubs had playoff berths all but wrapped up by July 4, and only the very worst teams didn’t get a post-season invite.

So for Chicago, New England, Colorado, Dallas, Toronto, DC United and Real Salt Lake, to coin a term from Sir Alex Ferguson, it's serious squeaky bum time as they try to fight their way in. Round 32 should be a blast.

Here’s the weekend schedule, with time listed ET.

Thursday, October 22

Chivas USA	at Chicago Fire	8 p.m.	ESPN2, Deportes
Saturday, October 24
Toronto FC	at New York Red Bulls	7:30 p.m.	DK, Match Center
D.C. United	at Kansas City Wizards	8 p.m.	DK, Match Center
Colorado Rapids	at Real Salt Lake	9 p.m.	FSC, FSE
FC Dallas	at Seattle Sounders FC	10:30 p.m.	DK, Match Center
San Jose Earthquakes	at Los Angeles Galaxy	10:30 p.m.	DK, Match Center
Sunday, October 25
Houston Dynamo	at Chivas USA	3 p.m.	Telefutura
New England Revolution	at Columbus Crew	5 p.m.	ESPN2, Deportes

Match Center = the league's on-line streaming service. Direct Kick = the league's PPV option

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Comments

On the road!

It’s interesting that all of the teams fighting for the last 2 playoff spots (except RSL) are on the road this weekend. You could say that whoever gets the last two spots has really earned it by winning a tough game on the road. However TFC is facing the NYRB’s. If TFC win, did they really earn it?

by Rick_S_2 on Oct 18, 2009 10:35 PM EDT reply actions

I dunno, but if DC wins and gets help, I’d suggest they didn’t deserve it.

"It's an incredible place. Every seat feels like it's right on top of you. So can't we just make it official? Every big American soccer game should be played in RFK. We need the home-field advantage. Done and done."

by Bald Pollack on Oct 20, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions