The MLS playoffs are set to begin this week without the local team but there are plenty of Fire related stories to follow on the way to MLS Cup in Toronto on November 23. A closer look at each first round match up provides more than a few reasons to watch.

MLSsoccer.com's Sam Stejskal and I compared notes on the upcoming playoffs and took a stab at picking the winners.

The MLS Cup Playoffs are just around the corner (game 1 will be played tomorrow night in Colorado). Unfortunately, we're not part of the equation this year, but that doesn't mean we can't guess how things will turn out. Robb Heineman and Dave Borchardt have already said on-air that they back RSL to repeat.

A stellar game from Bobby Convey and the San Jose Earthquakes has ousted the New York Red Bulls from the MLS Cup playoffs. Convey scored 2 goals and added an assist on Chris Wondolowski's game winner after being moved to left back as a result of an injury to Ramiro Corrales. Jon Busch provided a few key saves, the biggest one being a second half kick save on Mehdi Ballouchy (although it helped that Ballouchy had the keeper 1v1 and shot the ball into his foot).

Seattle's recent form is causing the playoff race to really heat up. (Getty Images)

Just take a quick look at the standings. Do it. Alright, as we get into the hot month of August (its been 100+ everyday this week in Dallas) the Major League Soccer playoff race is really heating up thanks to as many as 12 or 13 clubs being in contention for a playoff spot today.

Our match versus the Houston Dynamo that was scheduled for Saturday, September 11 has been moved to Wednesday, September 22 due to the T-Bones playoff schedule. After Saturday's match at Philadelphia, we will now be off until Sunday, September 19 when we again travel to the Home Depot Center, this time to play Chivas USA.

It's not quite a win, but the road point will be very helpful as we come down the stretch looking to get back into the playoff mix. Arnaud's second-half free kick was a thing of beauty, but could Chris Seitz have done better? Watch the highlights above and be the judge. As it currently stands, we're just two points out of the final playoff spot, but there are still plenty of games to be played this weekend.

Enjoying the Wizards recent run of form but aren't a season ticket holder? Want to watch the Wizards push for the playoffs over the last four home matches, three of which will come against clubs currently in playoff position? We've got the deal for you! You can buy bleacher tickets to the final four matches of the 2010 MLS season for the price of three matches.

Drive past the stadium on your way to CAB tomorrow. Come on out to CAB nice and early tomorrow, as we have all sorts of stuff going on. The boys will be hungry for a win, as we pretty much have to get all 3 points to continue holding out hope of a playoff spot. Read the game preview here. With Shavar Thomas out, we'll have a new center back.

Kansas City Wizards captain Davy Arnaud will join fans Friday from 2-2:30 p.m. CT to chat live about the final two MLS games as the Wizards look to keep pressure on the Colorado Rapids in the hunt for the final playoff spot. The chat lobby will open just before 2, and Davy will start answering your questions live from the team hotel in Foxborough, MA at 2.

Repeat? Perhaps. Last night we posted our 1st round predictions for the MLS Cup Playoffs, which begin tonight on ESPN2. With that out of the way, let's take a look at the semifinals and final, which will take place Sunday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN and TeleFutura from BMO Field in Toronto.

The Columbus Crew bowed out of the MLS playoffs in the most agonizing way possible. Losing on penalty kicks at home. Not only did they blow a 2-1 aggregate lead by allowing a late Conor Casey goal but the elimination came down to the final kick of the regular PK round. After all five Rapids players converted PK's and all four Crew players hit theirs, Brian Carroll stepped up with a chance to move the teams into 1 off eliminations.

My pick (and Sam's) to win and repeat as MLS Cup Champions were eliminated by FC Dallas after a 1-1 draw in Salt Lake City. Kevin Hartman kept RSL from tying the aggregate score and the loss of Javier Morales proved to be too much to overcome. These two were probably the best all around team in MLS going into the playoffs.

The Los Angeles Galaxy spared MLS the embarrassment of having to watch a conference final from a half empty Pizza Hut Park. LA shut down Fredy Montero and Seattle's speed on the wings. Once Los Angeles grabbed the aggregate lead at 2-0 Seattle's fate was sealed.

The Galaxy will now host FC Dallas at the Home Depot Center next Sunday night for the right to play in MLS Cup.

So I did manage to get one half of the MLS Cup participants correct by predicting that Colorado would win the Eastern Conference. As it turns out, the first round battle between Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas probably featured the two best all around teams in MLS.

Despite racking up 14 draws during the regular season, FC Dallas only lost 4 times all year and managed to get playoff results in Rio Tinto and at the Home Depot Center.

The Colorado Rapids are raising MLS Cup 2010 as league champions and the league seems to be doing everything it can to ensure that lesser teams continue to provide playoff surprises that aren't necessarily wanted or needed by most of it's fan base. Sure, an MLS Cup win is great for the fans of that particular team when a fifth seed gets through and surprises a favorite in the final but is it really necessary?