We used last years Playoff Format... where the top 8 in the league make it to the playoffs... Look where we would stand this year: 1. CHICAGO.........15-6-8......53pts. 2. SAN JOSE........14-7-8......50pts. 3. NEW ENGLAND..11-9-9......42pts. 4. New YORK.......11-9-9......42pts. 5. KANSAS CITY...11-10-8....41pts. 6. COLORADO.......11-11-7....40pts. 7. WASHINGTON...10-11-8....38pts. 8. COLUMBUS........9-12-8.....35pts. 9. LA...................9-12-8......35pts. 10.DALLAS............5-19-5.....20pts. that would mean that three teams were fighting for two playoff spots with one week to go and third through 7th would be seperated by 4 points... It would set up much more drama and if the playoffs were too as the revs and metrosexuals would not be playing in the first round (2 v. 3) or 4 times str8. The Quakes and Gals would not be playing in the first round... in fact LA may not even make the playoffs. 1. Chicago v. 8. Columbus 2. San Jose v. 7. DC 3. New England v. 6. Colorado 4. New York v. 5. Kansas City as it stands now.
the set up MLS uses right now is in virtually every sport in America, there's nothing wrong with having to win more games in your conference in order to make the playoffs. Your analysis is a little bit off because you have to remember that these teams are playing an unbalanced schedual.