The San Jose Earthquakes and Sounders FC both broke out the champagne over the weekend after clinching spots in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Chris Wondolowski scored a brace to lead the Quakes past D.C. United, 2-0. About 45 minutes later, San Jose was celebrating its first trip to the MLS Cup Playoffs since rejoining the league in 2008 after Seattle sealed its own post-season fate with a 2-0 win over Kansas City.
The Quakes are No. 7 overall with 43 points and a game in hand on all the teams who have clinched playoff spots. If the season ended today, San Jose would be the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference and would face the Columbus Crew.
Another potential playoff scenario would see San Jose leapfrog Seattle for No. 6 overall, setting up a post-season version of the California Clásico against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kansas City's playoff hopes didn't fade completely after Saturday's loss against Seattle, but the Wizards narrowed their playoff routes to a one-way street: Win out and hope Colorado loses its final two games.
2010 MLS CUP PLAYOFF STANDINGS
Through Sunday, October 10, 2010
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">W</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">L</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">T</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">GF</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">GA</span> |
<span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span> |
|
x - Los Angeles Galaxy (1W) |
56 |
28 |
17 |
6 |
5 |
41 |
22 |
19 |
x - Real Salt Lake (2W) |
52 |
28 |
14 |
4 |
10 |
41 |
18 |
23 |
x - New York Red Bulls (1E) |
48 |
28 |
14 |
8 |
6 |
35 |
27 |
8 |
x - Columbus Crew (2E) |
46 |
28 |
13 |
8 |
7 |
35 |
31 |
4 |
x - FC Dallas |
50 |
28 |
12 |
2 |
14 |
41 |
24 |
17 |
x - Seattle Sounders |
45 |
28 |
13 |
9 |
6 |
36 |
32 |
4 |
x - San Jose Earthquakes |
43 |
27 |
12 |
8 |
7 |
30 |
28 |
2 |
Colorado Rapids |
42 |
28 |
11 |
8 |
9 |
39 |
29 |
10 |
Kansas City Wizards |
33 |
27 |
9 |
12 |
6 |
30 |
33 |
-3 |
Chicago Fire |
32 |
27 |
8 |
11 |
8 |
33 |
35 |
-2 |
Toronto FC |
31 |
27 |
8 |
12 |
7 |
28 |
34 |
-6 |
New England Revolution |
29 |
28 |
8 |
15 |
5 |
31 |
48 |
-17 |
Philadelphia Union |
28 |
28 |
7 |
14 |
7 |
32 |
45 |
-13 |
Chivas USA |
28 |
27 |
8 |
15 |
4 |
29 |
36 |
-7 |
Houston Dynamo |
27 |
28 |
7 |
15 |
6 |
37 |
48 |
-11 |
D.C. United |
21 |
28 |
6 |
19 |
3 |
19 |
44 |
-25 |
The top two teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs automatically. |
The remaining four slots are determined via the Wild Card. |
Eliminated from playoff contention. |
