MLS Playoffs Are Hotting Up...

Ok, maybe hotting isn't a word but I seem to remember reading it in the English press in reference to football matches. Anyone, Anyone? Once again, I'm diverging from the typical formula to give you my thoughts on MLS in more general terms.

Did you see that LA is on a two game winning streak? They're back above RSL by 1 point with a game in hand. That puts them 5 points behind Colorado. LA couldn't be inserting themselves into the playoff hunt, could they? Well, they have the game in hand over Colorado too, so assuming they win that game they're all of a sudden 2 points back of the Rapids and 5 back of current 8th place team, Chicago. (Remember I picked Chicago a long time ago for the 8th and final spot much to the chiding of the From The Pitch crew.)

Colorado wishes they closed the door on LA earlier this month, don't they? Had the Rapids won that game they would be tied with Chicago for the last spot and LA wouldn't be nipping at their heels. Well, the Rapids didn't and the playoffs are now a four team race. Had the Rapids beat RSL last weekend the playoffs wouldn't be a four team race.

Adding to the excitement is this weekend's schedule. Here is what the playoff contenders are up to:
- Colorado faces the second best team in the east, New England, in New England.
- Chicago travels to LA Western Conference leading Chivas USA.
- LA goes to Columbus to see if they can continue their winning ways on the road.

Should LA win they put the hurt on Columbus' playoff hopes and potentially draw closer to the Rapids. As a Rapids fan who do I root for in that game? LA wins we can gain on Columbus with any road points. LA lose and Columbus pulls away from the mighty 'Pids. I guess I want them to draw.

Another story in the playoff race, can Chicago catch Kansas City. In a home match KC should have won, they lost to LA kicking off all of this discussion. KC is now only 4 points up on Chicago and the Fire have a game in hand so that could become 1 point. KC only has three games left so all results are important for them going forward. The Wizards don't have an easy remaining schedule hosting DC, going to New York and going to Dallas. There are three games they could easily lose, allowing Chicago, Colorado, Columbus and even LA to pass them potentially.

No matter what you think of MLS, you have to admit there is some excitement around this latest incarnation of the playoff system. I am an advocate of six teams making the big dance, but that doesn't seem likely. The league should continue with this winning combination of making the last 4 playoff spots not conference based.