Edson Buddle couldn't zero in on the Golden Boot, but his LA Galaxy managed a bigger prize on Sunday after securing the Supporters Shield with a 2-1 win against FC Dallas.
With the playoff picture set, here's a glance at the Conference Semi-Final match-ups:
Los Angeles Galaxy (1W) vs. Seattle Sounders FC (4W) - The Galaxy won both regular season meetings by a substantial 7-1 margin, but both matches were played early in the season. Sounders FC are a different team now than they were at the time of those results and should provide a stiff test for the Galaxy.
Real Salt Lake (2W) vs. FC Dallas (3W) - These two teams split their regular season series, both games ending with 2-0 results. Real recently knocked FC Dallas off their record 19-game unbeaten streak. Although FC Dallas enters the playoffs on a two-game skid, the MLS Cup holders have their hands full.
New York Red Bulls (1E) vs. San Jose Earthquakes (4E) - San Jose and New York split their regular season series, but the Quakes hold a 4-2 aggregate. The Red Bulls looked impressive a 2-0 win against San Jose at Red Bull Arena on Aug. 28, but don't go chalk on this one without considering the Quakes.
Columbus Crew (2E) vs. Colorado Rapids (3E) - Will Hesmer's absence is significant a blow to the Crew's title hopes. These two teams split their regular season series, but the Crew managed a 3-2 aggregate.
Final standings
<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) |
59 |
30 |
18 |
7 |
5 |
44 |
26 |
18 |
x - Real Salt Lake (2W) |
56 |
30 |
15 |
4 |
11 |
45 |
20 |
25 |
x - New York Red Bulls (1E) |
51 |
30 |
15 |
9 |
6 |
38 |
29 |
9 |
x - Columbus Crew (2E) |
50 |
30 |
14 |
8 |
8 |
40 |
34 |
6 |
x - FC Dallas (3W) |
50 |
30 |
12 |
4 |
14 |
42 |
28 |
14 |
x - Seattle Sounders (4W) |
48 |
30 |
14 |
10 |
6 |
39 |
35 |
4 |
x - Colorado Rapids (5W) |
46 |
30 |
12 |
8 |
10 |
44 |
32 |
12 |
x - San Jose Earthquakes (6W) |
46 |
30 |
13 |
10 |
7 |
34 |
33 |
1 |
Kansas City Wizards |
39 |
30 |
11 |
13 |
6 |
36 |
35 |
1 |
Chicago Fire |
36 |
30 |
9 |
12 |
9 |
37 |
38 |
-1 |
Toronto FC |
35 |
30 |
9 |
13 |
8 |
33 |
41 |
-8 |
Houston Dynamo |
33 |
30 |
9 |
15 |
6 |
40 |
49 |
-9 |
New England Revolution |
32 |
30 |
9 |
16 |
5 |
32 |
50 |
-18 |
Philadelphia Union |
31 |
30 |
8 |
15 |
7 |
35 |
49 |
-14 |
Chivas USA |
28 |
30 |
8 |
18 |
4 |
31 |
45 |
-14 |
D.C. United |
22 |
30 |
6 |
20 |
4 |
21 |
47 |
-26 |
Conference winners and runners up |
Wild cards |
Eliminated from playoff contention. |
MLS Cup Playoff Matchups:
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Eastern Conference</span></strong> |
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Western Conference</span></strong> |
<p>New York Red Bulls (1E)<br>San Jose Earthquakes (6W)</p><p>Columbus Crew (2E)<br>Colorado Rapids (5W)</p> |
<p>LA Galaxy (1W)<br>Seattle Sounders (4W)</p><p>Real Salt Lake (2W)<br>FC Dallas (3W)</p> |
