Playoffs Standings: If postseason started today

MLS Communications

Last update: August 14, 11:22 pm ET
For format and tiebreakers, click here.


<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Western Conference</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> LA Galaxy</td><td> 48</td><td> 25</td><td> 15</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> FC Dallas</td><td> 43</td><td> 25</td><td> 7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Seattle Sounders FC</td><td> 42</td><td> 25</td><td> 8</td></tr></tbody></table>	<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Eastern Conference</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Columbus Crew</td><td> 37</td><td> 24</td><td> 4</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Philadelphia Union</td><td> 34</td><td> 23</td><td> 7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> New York Red Bulls</td><td> 31</td><td> 25</td><td> 4</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Western Conference</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> LA Galaxy</td><td> 48</td><td> 25</td><td> 15</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> FC Dallas</td><td> 43</td><td> 25</td><td> 7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Seattle Sounders FC</td><td> 42</td><td> 25</td><td> 8</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Eastern Conference</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Columbus Crew</td><td> 37</td><td> 24</td><td> 4</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> Philadelphia Union</td><td> 34</td><td> 23</td><td> 7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"><td> New York Red Bulls</td><td> 31</td><td> 25</td><td> 4</td></tr></tbody></table>


<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Wild Card Race</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Colorado Rapids</td><td> 40</td><td> 26</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Real Salt Lake</td><td> 36</td><td> 22</td><td> 13</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Houston Dynamo</td><td> 31</td><td> 24</td><td> 1</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Sporting Kansas City*</td><td> 30</td><td> 23</td><td> 2</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Chivas USA</td><td> 30</td><td> 24</td><td> 4</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> D.C. United</td><td> 30</td><td> 22</td><td> 0</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Portland Timbers</td><td> 26</td><td> 23</td><td> -8</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> San Jose Earthquakes</td><td> 25</td><td> 24</td><td> -6</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Toronto FC</td><td> 23</td><td> 26</td><td> -21</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> New England Revolution</td><td> 21</td><td> 24</td><td> -13</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Chicago Fire</td><td> 20</td><td> 23</td><td> -7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Vancouver Whitecaps FC</td><td> 18</td><td> 24</td><td> -15</td></tr></tbody></table>	<table style="border: medium none;"><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="width: 20px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"></td><td> Currently in playoff position as Top 3 conf. finisher</td></tr><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"></td><td> Currently in playoff position as wild-card finisher</td></tr><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"></td><td> Currently out of playoff position</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The top three finishers in each conference, based on regular season points (six automatic berths)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The next best four clubs based on regular season points, irrespective of conference (four wild cards)</span><ul><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The four wild cards will play single elimination games against each other, with higher seeds hosting (1 vs. 4; 2 vs. 3). These play-in games are part of the MLS Cup Playoffs.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">After the two play-in games conclude, the lowest remaining seed will face the Supporters’ Shield winner in the Conference Semifinals; the other will face the No. 1 seed in the opposite conference from the Supporters’ Shield winner.</span></li></ul></li></ul><p> * Sporting are in Wild Card position due to head-to-head tiebreaker with Chivas USA and D.C. United. </p>

<table><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="color: #ffffff; background-color: #000000;"><td> Wild Card Race</td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">PTS</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GP</span></td><td><span style="text-decoration: underline;">GD</span></td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Colorado Rapids</td><td> 40</td><td> 26</td><td> 5</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Real Salt Lake</td><td> 36</td><td> 22</td><td> 13</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Houston Dynamo</td><td> 31</td><td> 24</td><td> 1</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"><td> Sporting Kansas City*</td><td> 30</td><td> 23</td><td> 2</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Chivas USA</td><td> 30</td><td> 24</td><td> 4</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> D.C. United</td><td> 30</td><td> 22</td><td> 0</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Portland Timbers</td><td> 26</td><td> 23</td><td> -8</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> San Jose Earthquakes</td><td> 25</td><td> 24</td><td> -6</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Toronto FC</td><td> 23</td><td> 26</td><td> -21</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> New England Revolution</td><td> 21</td><td> 24</td><td> -13</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Chicago Fire</td><td> 20</td><td> 23</td><td> -7</td></tr><tr style="border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"><td> Vancouver Whitecaps FC</td><td> 18</td><td> 24</td><td> -15</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table style="border: medium none;"><tbody style="font-size: 10px;"><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="width: 20px; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #78b969;"></td><td> Currently in playoff position as Top 3 conf. finisher</td></tr><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #f3ed5f;"></td><td> Currently in playoff position as wild-card finisher</td></tr><tr style="border: medium none;"><td style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #dddddd;"></td><td> Currently out of playoff position</td></tr></tbody></table><ul><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The top three finishers in each conference, based on regular season points (six automatic berths)</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The next best four clubs based on regular season points, irrespective of conference (four wild cards)</span><ul><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">The four wild cards will play single elimination games against each other, with higher seeds hosting (1 vs. 4; 2 vs. 3). These play-in games are part of the MLS Cup Playoffs.</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 10px;">After the two play-in games conclude, the lowest remaining seed will face the Supporters’ Shield winner in the Conference Semifinals; the other will face the No. 1 seed in the opposite conference from the Supporters’ Shield winner.</span></li></ul></li></ul><p> * Sporting are in Wild Card position due to head-to-head tiebreaker with Chivas USA and D.C. United. </p>

Complete 2011 MLS Cup Playoff Format

WHO QUALIFIES: Ten teams qualify for the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs. Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season. All 18 teams will have played 34 games.

The top three finishers in each conference, based on regular season points (six automatic berths)
The next best four clubs based on regular season points, irrespective of conference (four wild cards)
- The four wild cards will play single elimination games against each other, with higher seeds hosting (1 vs. 4; 2 vs. 3). These play-in games are part of the MLS Cup Playoffs.
- After the two play-in games conclude, the lowest remaining seed will face the Supporters’ Shield winner in the Conference Semifinals; the other will face the No. 1 seed in the opposite conference from the Supporters’ Shield winner.

The four Conference Semifinals will be decided by two-game aggregate series, with the lower seed hosting the first leg and the higher seed hosting the second leg. If the aggregate score is tied after 180 minutes of play, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety, followed by penalty kicks, if necessary. The two Conference Championships will be single games hosted by the higher seed. MLS Cup will again be a single championship match hosted at a predetermined site to be announced at a later date.

TEAM-STANDINGS TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES

The team awarded the highest position in the MLS standings will be the team with the greatest number of points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss). In the event that two teams finish the regular season with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:

1) The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current regular season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition)

2) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the regular season. (goal differential)

3) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team scoring the greatest number of total goals against all other teams during the regular season. (total goals)

4) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played on the road by each team against all other teams during the regular season. (road 1-3)

5) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the procedures described in this section shall be applied only to games played at home by each team against all other teams during the regular season. (home 1-3)

6) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the fewest team disciplinary points in the League Fair Play table during the regular season.

If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position in the standings shall be determined by the toss of a coin.
The first tiebreaker in a three-way tie is also head-to-head, but it is determined via points-per-game versus the other two teams. If two teams are tied in points-per-game head-to-head, the next tie breaker is goal difference.

NOTE: If two clubs remain tied after another club with the same number of points advances during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-club format.