The final six World Cup 2010 places all get decided today, with the second legs of the four European playoffs and the CONMEBOL vs CONCACAF game, plus the special Algeria vs Egypt single game playoff for the final African qualifying spot.

It's all very very tight. The winners of these six ties get the the glory, the losers learn firsthand the meaning of the word "nearly".

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They Think It's All Over... busts out some World Cup playoff predictions. Click to continue reading...

Sadly, my viewing of the semi-final matches was limited this weekend. I planned to watch the Galaxy-Dynamo match before hitting the road Saturday morning, but the delayed kickoff and power outages meant I only caught the first half before hitting... Click to continue reading...

Wow, what a game last night. Yes, I said I wouldn't watch. And I won't lie, part of the reason it's so good is that the team I wanted to win did. It's all gone bad for Chicago - their "most talented team in MLS" has come up short yet again, with the final blow delivered by a local kid.
So now we have an all-west MLS final (LA-Salt Lake), much like last year where we had an all-east final (New York-Columbus). Click to continue reading...

The MLS Western Conference Final, which pits the resurgent LA Galaxy against the perennially contending Houston Dynamo, is set for the Home Depot Center tomorrow night. Unfortunately, if you live...

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While we are no big fan of the playoff structure in MLS, it seems to be a necessary evil in a North American league for now. The 2009 MLS Playoffs have actually been quite good though with 3 out of the 4 teams who remain being deserving. Sometimes however, there are off the field occurrences which can be just as interesting. Click to continue reading...

Now tell me truthfully. What is your abiding image of the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs? Is it Schelotto steaming on the bench in Salt Lake? Maybe Onstad "chesting" Flopping Fredy? Perhaps Ching's flying finish? Not me. I'll go with Mike... Click to continue reading...

It's the last Match Fit USA Soccer Show before The American Soccer Show debuts next week. Things are tense, and Jason and Zach argue about referees, discuss potential call-ups for the USMNT, talk...

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by Matt - US Soccer Daily It seems like Jim Mora and many fans around MLS have been on the same page lately. Five playoff matches have been played, and the crowds have been unimpressive, to say the...

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One day (presumably), MLS will get to the point where which clubs progress to the MLS Cup final doesn't really matter. By then, it will be all about the competition, and no matter who is playing,...

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The first round of MLS playoffs (aka MLS Conference Semi-finals)Â always spurs heated discussion about its playoff format as well as the League's two conference structure.

Let's take an overview of various playoff format options and League structures for Major League Soccer. There should be three objectives to a playoff format and League Structure:

1) Crown a worthy champion

2) Entertain the fans

3) Maximize revenue for the teams and League

No matter what playoff format is used or what tweaks are made to improve it, a percentage of fans will criticize it and offer other imperfect solutions.

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Show of hands, please. Who thinks the MLS HQ thought police "requested" more goals after the Sounders-Dynamo 0-0 brawl (admittedly not a bad game to watch, despite the lack of goals) and the "might as well have been 0-0" RSL victory over the Crew... Click to continue reading...

In-stadium rivals Chivas USA and the L.A. Galaxy played to an exciting 2-2 draw Sunday night, setting the stage for what will be the most important MLS "Super Clasico" to date next Sunday.

Chivas USA got off to a hot start in the match and they took the lead in just the 4th minute when Maicon Santos drilled a right footed shot past L.

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On this week's Match Fit USA Soccer Show, Jason and Zach talk about the MLS playoffs, cover the USL-TOA saga with David Fellerath of Triangle Offense, and debate the fine handed down to DC United's...

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Real Salt Lake got a late goal from striker Robbie Findley to defeat Columbus 1-0 in the opening game of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series Saturday night.

The match looked to be headed to a scoreless draw, but that all changed in the 88th minute when Findley slotted home a Yura Movsisyan cross to give RSL the win.

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The MLS playoffs continue tonight with Columbus traveling to Sandy, Utah to take on Real Salt Lake in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal series (6 p.m. Direct Kick). If Real Salt Lake is to have any chance against the regular season champion Crew they need a result tonight -- as they typically struggle mightily on the road. Click to continue reading...

One hell of a soccer match took place in Seattle last night. The MLS playoffs got off to a flying start as the Houston Dynamo and Seattle Sounders battled to a scoreless draw at Qwest Field in front...

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After three consecutive years suffering playoff heartbreak against the Revolution, the Fire will try to extend their playoff winning streak against the Revs to two series this Sunday, when the two sides meet at Gillette Stadium for Game 1 (1 p.m. on FSC) of their two game Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup.

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The playoffs opened up last night in front of a raucous 30,000 + fans at Qwest Field in Seattle last night, but the expansion Sounders went home disappointed as they failed to find the back of the net in their 0-0 draw with the Houston Dynamo.

With the tie, Houston now only has to win at home when the series resumes on November 8th to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

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Kevin receiving the mounted jersey and gloves to commemorate setting the All Time Saves record early in the year.As soon as Kevin spoke in the interview I could tell he was a speaking with emotion. It was obvious that the season being over and missing the playoffs pained him. He speaks candidly about the team and himself. Click to continue reading...

It's that time of year again, MLS fans. The leaves are turning, a chill wind blows from the north, DC United are watching from home (sniff!), and the playoffs are getting ready to kick into gear. So let's take a look at the matchups and consult the... Click to continue reading...

Over the past week or so, I've found myself pondering the playoff structure that MLS uses to determine its champion. I'm both solidly American (and no, that's nothing to be ashamed of) and a fan of...

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I've already taken a brief look at the Fire-Revolution first round series, but haven't spent any time on the three other Conference Semifinals going on around the country in the next couple of weeks. That's about to change though. Click after the jump for a quick rundown of the 'other' first round series.

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When the Fire played the New England Revolution on Oct. 17, many saw the match as a possible playoff preview.

Now that the MLS regular season has come to a close those predictions of a Fire-Revolution postseason battle have come true. The sides will begin their two-leg Eastern Conference semifinal series at 3 p.

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------------------ "Sing when you're winning" - RSL = 40pts
After having to swallow a 5-0 debacle in New York, one thing was clear - any team other than Toronto FC had to make the playoffs tonight. There was that brief moment where it was still possible that the Reds, that unbalanced, built-on-the cheap by Mo Johnston squad could still make the playoffs despite the club's horrifying display and completely mediocre season. Click to continue reading...

NEW YORK RED BULLS VS. TORONTO FC
Giants Stadium - Saturday, 7:30PM EST
TV: GOL-TV - RADIO: The Fan 590

In the wacky world of North American soccer football there are very few historical sites. While we will stop short of comparing East Rutherford, New Jersey's Giants Stadium to the likes of the San Siro, Nou Camp or Wembley, you have to admit it has played a large concrete role in the continent's footy story. Click to continue reading...

Colorado is in with:

• a win
• a draw and only one of DC, FCD, NE, and TFC winning
• a loss by 1, FCD draws or loses, and 2 of DC, NE, and TFC losing
• a loss by 2, FCD draws or loses, and DC, NE, and TFC losing

They also get in by finishing top 2 in the following tiebreakers (with the teams from the FCD/DC/NE/TFC group not involved losing)

• Colorado-DC-FSL
• Colorado-NE-FSL
• Colorado-DC-FSL-NE
• Colorado-Dallas-DC-FSL
• Colorado-Dallas-DC-FSL-TFC

Or losing to FSL by only 1 goal gets them in through this tiebreaker:

• Colorado-FSL-TFC

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Hyperbole to be sure, but still...ouch! You'd be forgiven for being miserable if you were a USA and DC United fan poking about in assorted RSS streams and illegal internet feeds yesterday. To recap... Snatched Away! In simultaneous games, United... Click to continue reading...

Just because you can do something, doesn't necessarily make it the best option. As Toronto FC head into their last gasp attempt at making this year's playoffs, that conundrum does indeed rise. The enigma that is this season's Reds are quite frankly lucky to even have the chance to qualify for the post-season but that is the reality of MLS parity. Click to continue reading...

Ireland v France: What ever happened to the "luck of the Irish"?
Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina: Corporate sponsors breathe huge sigh of relief Ronaldo is headed to South Africa.
Greece v Ukraine: Mediterraneans in the steppes in mid-November?

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Any MLS supporter who still has a club in the race for the final playoff spots knows by now how completely wacky the tie-breaker system is in the event of two or more clubs ending up even. MLS must have hired unemployed former Soviet scientists to come up with such a series of win-loss-tie possibilities for this weekend. Click to continue reading...

Here's a sad stat for you on this Friday, along with a breakdown of what KC needs this weekend to stay alive in the playoff race.
This season the Wizards have taken 345 shots, that's tied for the second most in the league with Dallas. Only RSL has taken more shots. The Wizards have taken 142 shots on goal this season, that's good for 4th in the league. Click to continue reading...

For me, I mean. I have no idea if you are in the same boat as me; perhaps you've been able to split your attention. Club and country, all at the same time. I'll admit that I've had some tunnel...

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Bit of controversy in European World Cup qualifying, with the powers that be pulling what looks like a commercially motivated bait and switch with the playoffs.

Here's what's happened: The nine European group winners all qualify automatically. So that's Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy, Netherlands all going to South Africa.

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It's that time of year again, when we run the numbers and figure out what result can clinch us a playoff spot when. The Rapids can clinch as early as this weekend if they win, depending on two other results.
If the Rapids beat Dallas:
FSL must not beat Toronto
OR
New England must not beat Chicago
If the Rapids draw or lose to Dallas they can not clinch this weekend. Click to continue reading...