I was wondering the same thing after the game. My assumption would be the #5 (3rd in the West) would be #3 in the West, #6 (4th in West) would be #3 in the East, #7 (5th in West) would be #4 in West, #8 (6th in West) would be #4 in East. In that case, it's very possible that if DC United were #2 they would be hosting the #6 team, who would have a better record than United. It all makes perfect sense.
The "wildcard" teams should have to play each other first to see who gets a crack at the automatic-bid teams. There is no tangible incentive to finish on top the way this sets up now. I am a fan of some "wildcard" berths, mind you, but the way they chose to do this is odd. There is no way CumBlowus or (whoever is in front in the West) should have to play anyone in the first week, the higher seeded of the wildcard teams should host the lower seeded ones to determine who gets to play the top guys, and maybe even the second-tier guys depending on the number of "wild cards". I'd go with 2 (one quarter of total teams), they went with 4 (half).
To make it less confusing, the teams are only seeded in terms of conference, not overall. So, the fifth and sixth place West teams would become the third and fourth East teams. However, if DC finishes two in the East, there will not be six West teams advancing. In order for six West teams to advance, RSL has to beat Colorado, and all the other East teams tie, so everybody has 40, then the Fire will advance and so will RSL and Colorado who own the tiebreakers in that scenario. Seriously, this is interesting. The Fire could finish second in the East, or be out altogether if they lose and more than two other teams finish with 42 (unless one of those teams is TFC, which is the only team they hold the tiebreaker on. They tie FCD on points head to head, but Dallas would have a better overall GD if they win and Fire lose.) DC is in the same boat and can pretty much only finish second in the East or not qualify at all. If Chicago loses and DC wins, DC is second no matter what. If Chicago advances, DC must win AND have Dallas win. If Dallas loses or ties, DC cannot win any tiebreaker scenarios with any combination of teams at 42. DC would then only advance if NE, TFC, and Colorado all lose or tie too. Colorado doesn't really matter as that score only determines how many West teams there will be. If they win they will qualify and three East teams will go, but DC can only be that third team if Dallas wins and is the only other team to make 42. If COlorado lose or even tie, then RSL has a shot to go if there's a log jam at 39 or 40 as they hold quite a few tiebreakers over most combinations of teams. And obviously, some ties thrown in ties make things even more interesting. Bottom line, it's going to be a wild last day. I doubt MLS could have scripted it to be any tighter. But, I'll bet they wish more teams had put themselves in these positions for playing well as opposed to backing into an equal number of other teams sucking wind too.
if we win, and chicago loses there could be 6 teams from the west nd could there be 6 teams from the west moving on also if New England to lose at Columbus. Real Salt Lake beats Colorado. FC Dallas draws Seattle. chicago loses at chivas toronto loses to NY that would put west teams at 40 and above, and east teams at 39
OK, bear with me, if we win and the Fire lose there cannot be six teams from the West. Chicago will have 42, DC will have 42, even if RSL and Colorado tie that's only 41 for Colorado and 38 for RSL, so one of them is out because two East already have 39. Even if RSL wins, RSL would go through on the mulitple team tiebreaker because they have more points versus Colorado at 40, plus TFC and NE but it doesn't matter. If three East teams go, only five West teams can possibly go, and if we win, only Colorado can catch us. RSL winning only gives them 40 and they are out because four teams from the West have already qualified. Bottom line, Columbus, Houston, LA, Chivas, and Seattle are all in the playoffs right now. There are only three playoff spots left. Fire have 42, Colorado have 40, and everyone else is scrapping for the remains ( TFC, NE, DC, and Dallas with 39). So, if DC wins and the Fire lose, we beat CHicago for the top spot left which would be second in the East. Unless Colorado wins, and then we get the third place slot in the East, as long as TFC and NE lose. If either of them win, we are out if Colorado wins too. It really is relatively simple and this tiebreaking procedure is not really that hideous if you think about it. First tiebreaker is points versus all the teams you are tied with. Second is goal differential, third is goals scored, then on to road records, goals scored etc. Also, once you qualify a team, you revert back to step one for the rest of the teams tied, and so on. Pretty simple, I don't know why some think there is two sets of rules for different scenarios. There is only one set. If you win the mulitple team tiebreaker, the teams left do a mulitple team tiebreaker, unless it is only two teams, then they do the two team tiebreaker. How is that confusing? I can see where you would say it's possibly unfair, ala DC advancing much easier if the Fire are a team they tie with, but honestly, how else would you decide multiple teams being tied at the end of the season if not this system?
Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?
I find this very confusing. I agree that, in principle, this is a fairer method for determining who gets in, since it emphasizes results against your direct competitors. Beating up on RB, while fun, shouldn't determine who gets into the playoffs. It's the resetting of values after the first tiebreaker that my puny brain can't seem to accept. I don't disagree with the principle, I just can't stay focused long enough to do the calculation.
Most important thing really is whether we host the first game or the second, because that will probably determine if it's a weeknight or a weekend, and that determines the chances I can go. If I dare to believe.
i vote for LA....i know not possible, but damn i want some in n out (yes JSF take that anyway you want)
Possible playoff dates are as follows: Conference Playoffs Two game Home & Away Series – Winner determined on aggregate 1st Seed vs. 4th Seed 2nd Seed vs. 3rd Seed Lowest seed hosts first game First games to be played on 10/29, 10/31 or 11/1 Second games to be played on 11/5, 11/7 or 11/8 Winning teams advance to Conference Championships Conference Championships Single game played at highest seed home field Games played on either 11/12, 11/14 or 11/15 Winning teams advance to MLS Cup 2009 MLS Cup 2009 – November 22, 5:30 PM PST @ Qwest Field - Seattle, Washington
DC normally gets the Thursday night games that go up against the World Series. It has pissed me off the past couple of years. ESPN likes having Virginia Tech on those nights because they get good ratings for Thursday Night College Football up against the World Series. I already have tickets for the next two Thursday night games(@ VT and @ ECU).
Well the Cook brothers told me United were going to the playoffs at the Redskins debacle this past Sunday. So the team has that going for them.