Well there go the New York Red Bulls, ruining all the fun. We thought that we might get some fun on the final weekend of the regular season as teams battled for the final playoff spot, but you had to go out and win on Thursday, clinching 10th place and closing out the entire playoff field. Not cool, Red Bulls. Now all we can watch with any sort of excitement and drama is playoff seeding, but we all know that isn't nearly as much fun as teams playing for a playoff spot. Thanks a lot, New York!
Major League Soccer 2011, Week 32 Preview And Schedule: It’s All About Seeding Now
The Red Bulls won to finalize the 10-team playoff field, but seeding is still on the line in the final weekend of the MLS regular season
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Saturday, 12:30 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live, TSN (Canada)
This are the worst teams at the worst time. If the match was in New England it would actually be the worst thing ever.
Pick: Eye-gouging for all in attendance
Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Colorado Rapids
Saturday, 7:00 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
Nobody likes to watch the Rapids play so they’re not appealing, but they can finish anywhere from eighth to 10th, affecting the playoff race so there are playoff implications in this match. The Whitecaps get to bid adieu to being an expansion team, so I guess that’s cool too.
Pick: 2-0 Caps
Saturday, 7:30 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
A win for Sporting and they finish first in the Eastern Conference. Not too shabby for a team that was in last place earlier in the season. With DC out of playoff contention, Dwayne De Rosario is likely to miss the match with an ankle injury so that will help Kansas City and their question for the top spot in the East. At the very least, Sporting wants a draw because that will clinch a spot among the top three seeds in the East and keep them out of the wild card round.
Pick: 2-1 Sporks
Chicago Fire vs. Columbus Crew
Saturday, 8:30 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
The Fire proved that no matter how well you play in the final two months of the season, you can’t make the playoffs if you mail it in every match before that. Their season might as well be over, but Columbus’ is just beginning. They’ll be in the playoffs, but they’re hoping to do it as the top seed in the East. A win on Saturday, along with a Kansas City loss, will put them on top of the conference, but even if Sporting wins, a Crew win will at least keep them among the top three and out of the wild card matches.
Pick: 1-1 draw
Saturday, 9:00 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
Unfortunately for the Timbers, the Red Bulls’ win on Thursday eliminated them from the postseason and killed their chances at becoming the fourth expansion team in league history to make the playoffs. Now they’re playing just for fun, but Salt Lake still has plenty on the line. They are battling with Dallas for the third seed in the West, which is crucial because it keeps them out of the wild card round. The two teams are even on points heading into the weekend so barring a Dallas win by at least five goals, a win by Salt Lake and they have the three seed.
Pick: 3-1 Salt Lake
Saturday, 10:30 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
If Salt Lake wins, this match doesn’t matter because Dallas is the top wild card team and has to play in the wild card round. If RSL drops points then this one matters to Dallas. It definitely doesn’t matter to the Quakes though, whose season ended a long time ago.
Pick: 2-1 Dallas
Saturday, 10:30 pm ET
TV: Direct Kick, Matchday Live
The Goats made some strides this season under first-year coach Robin Fraser, but their season was always going to end before the playoffs. The Sounders are locked into the second seed so they will likely play several reserves as they get ready for the postseason. It’ll be a barnburner at the Home Depot Center.
Pick: 1-0 Chivas
Houston Dynamo Vs. LA Galaxy
Sunday, 7:00 pm ET
TV: Galavision
With the Supporters' Shield and spot in the knockout stages of the CONCACAF Champions League locked up, the Galaxy are just waiting on the start of the playoffs. Robbie Keane is still injured, Landon Donovan is unlikely to play as he nurses an injury and David Beckham will likely rest his bad back. That's good news for the Dynamo, who can technically still win the East if they defeat LA and get some other results to go their way. More than anything though, they would really just like to get a win and anyone ahead of them to drop so they can guarantee that they at least get their wild card round match at home.
Pick: 1-1 draw
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