We had to wait until the last game on the East’s slate, but now we know the match-ups (or, potential match-ups) for the Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference playoff.
After their win in Washington, D.C., Houston was in, but while at one point today they were sitting third, last year’s conference representatives in the MLS Cup final will have to go through the four-five game once more. New England’s win in Columbus gave the Revolution the conference’s third seed.
[MORE: Garcia, Barnes goals put Houston into MLS postseason.]
[MORE: Agudelo goal in Columbus puts New England into playoffs.]
The other open spot coming into the day was claimed by a team that played yesterday, with the Montréal Impact handed their first postseason spot despite yesterday’s loss in Toronto. Whether they’ll remain alive past mid-week will be settled mid-week at BBVA Compass Stadium.
[MORE: Toronto win leaves Montréal vulnerable.]
At the top of the conference, New York’s history making performance means they get the one-seed, the first time since 2010 Sporting Kansas City hasn’t held the top spot going into the postseason.
[MORE: New York’s surge helps Red Bulls claim first major honor.]
Here are the matches:
Who: Houston Dynamo vs. Montréal Impact
What: First Round (Four-Five game)
How: One-game, winner take all
When: Wednesday or Thursday
The enigmatic Impact, Eastern Conference leaders through much of the season, back in thanks to Chicago’s loss in New York. If they’re to stay alive, they’ll have to win mid-week at Houston, with the exact day likely to be announced on Monday. Though Houston won the team’s last meeting, Montréal is 2-1-0 this year against the Dynamo, outscoring the four-seed 7-1.
Who: Sporting Kansas City vs. New England Revolution
What: Conference Semifinal
How: Two-legged series, Sporting hosting game two
When: Saturday or Sunday; then Nov. 6 or 7
Sporting’s been part of the East’s lead pack all season while New England’s stayed back in the peloton. But the seven-point gap between the teams may as well be one after the clubs finished second and third in the East, pairing them off in the conference semifinals. Kansas City took four points from the teams’ two regular season meetings, outscoring the Revolution 3-0 over 180 minutes.
Who: New York Red Bulls vs. Houston/Montreal
What: Conference Semifinal
How: Two-legged series, New York hosting game two
When: Saturday or Sunday; then Nov. 6 or 7
New York is 3-0-0 against Houston this season and have outscored the Dynamo 9-1. They’re 2-1-0 against Montréal, having outscored Le Impact 6-2. New York should be big favorites against either team, but given how the Dynamo have performed in the last two postseasons, you’d forgive the Red Bulls for secretly hoping Montréal pulls an upset mid-week.