Major League Soccer 2011, Week 29 Preview And Schedule: At Least The East Is Close

There are too many teams making the playoffs this year. There’s really only one or two teams from the Eastern Conference that deserve to make the playoffs. The Supporters’ Shield is all but wrapped up with four weeks left to play.

The problems with MLS have been well documented. But what we have loads of are compelling games, partly due to some of those factors. The Eastern Conference, in particular, is packed with games that will have rather significant implications on the playoff race. Let’s get to it.

A few weeks ago, neither of these teams seemed to be going nowhere fast. But each has put together a pretty solid little run, including the Dynamo picking up their first road win of the season last week, and both are now in the thick of the playoff race. The Dynamo were even leading the Eastern Conference at the start of the week. Of course, they are now in third place before even playing a game, but such is the nature of that race.

The Fire were in last place in the East as recently as Aug. 7, but are now just three points behind the playoff pace after going 5-1-1 in their past seven matches. A win could theoretically put them in playoff position.

Pick: Tied 2-2.

The good news is that Toronto FC is not a very good team, although they have looked better recently. They really aren’t in the playoff picture, but can definitely make life difficult for the Red Bulls.

Pick: Red Bulls 1-0.

Luckily for the Revolution, the Sounders do not seem particularly concerned about this game, and it’s not hard to see why. They are coming off a game on Tuesday in Guatemala that guaranteed them a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and have the U.S. Open Cup final next Tuesday. This is clearly their least important game this week and might be the least important game they play all year. The Sounders would be perfectly satisfied with a tie.

Pick: Tied 1-1

About a month ago, these were two of the hottest teams in MLS. Now, they are just two teams trying to halt slides that saw neither of them win a MLS game in the entire month of September. The Rapids last won on Aug. 13, while FC Dallas has just one win since July 31.

The situation is far more dire for the Rapids, who are now just four points ahead of the No. 11 spot -- which would drop them out of the playoffs -- with one less game to play. FC Dallas merely seems destined for a wild card spot, something they can do very little about at this point. Both teams need a win if for no other reason than their collective psyches.

Pick: FC Dallas 2-1

Pick: Galaxy 1-0

Whatever faint sliver of hope the Earthquakes have in making the playoff will almost certainly be determined by this game. Realistically, this is an audition for next year, as coach Frank Yallop has already said he’s starting to look forward to a rather thorough house-cleaning.

Sporting KC still have plenty to play for, as a win would go a long way toward securing their top spot in the Eastern Conference. They are only leading the Union by one point and have played one more game.

Pick: Sporting, 3-1

If it seems like these two teams just played important in-conference games, well you better get used to it. The East is about as tight as it gets, with just six points separating the conference leaders from the No. 6 team. Illustrating that tightness is the fact that the Crew could leap from fourth to being even on points for the lead with a win in this game and United could vault from sixth to fourth.

As mercurial as United have been, this seems like a game they should win. A much worse version of this team handily beat a considerably better version of the Crew 3-0 in Week 1. The big question is whether or not Dwayne DeRosario is recovered from the injury he suffered on Thursday.

Pick: United 2-1

Considered the lesser third of the Cascadia Cup derby (at least by those in Seattle), this game is basically about pride. The Sounders clinched the three-way cup last week with their win over the Whitecaps. The Timbers are still alive in the playoffs, but they would have to jump two teams and have just one game at home left.

The Whitecaps should be plenty motivated, though. This will be the first game they play in renovated BC Place. Should be worth watching if for no other reason than to see how the game looks on PolyTan turf, which may very well end up being the next big thing for teams without natural grass.

Pick: Whitecaps 3-2.

It’s hard to consider Chivas USA as still being the playoff race as even a win would leave them short of a playoff spot and they only have two games remaining after this one. Regardless of the realistic nature, this is essentially a playoff game for them.

The Union, courtesy of their win on Thursday, are actually in a somewhat comfortable position. Winning the East is actually not all that big of a prize, as they would face the top wild card team in the conference semifinals, while the No. 2 team would play the East’s third best team.

Pick: Chivas 2-1.