For the first time in their short history, the young defensive-minded Union are headed to the postseason, after qualifying with a one-point tie with Toronto FC on Saturday. However, with one game remaining in the regular season, the Union, despite the celebratory clincher, still desperately need to pull a winning result against the New York Red Bulls on Thursday night and Red Bull Arena.
But how much does seeding really matter entering the playoffs? The answer is, enough to consider Thursdays contest as important as the one that got them in.
For anyone new to the setup of the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs, the four-round tournament, which will start on Oct. 26 and finish up on Nov. 20, is a fairly straight-forward scenario, featuring the top-10 teams in the MLS.
The top three squads from the Western and Eastern Conference earn a bye in the first round, while the lower four clubs, ranked by total points regardless of conference, compete in a one-game wildcard playoff.
The Union would be best to avoid this extra round, which might force them into playing two games in three days. Also, with injuries to Danny Mwanga, Faryd Mondragon and others, the extra time would be a blessing for recovery and preparation. Yet, with the standings as close as they are in the East, the Union, who are in the drivers seat on where they land, still need three points to assure them a top-three spot and separation from the wildcard round.
There are four teamsSporting Kansas City, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo and the Union, all fighting for the three spots, with each owning one remaining game. With a victory against the Red Bulls, the Union, who are tied atop the conference with 48 points with Sporting Kansas City, would secure themselves at least the second seed in the group as SKC holds the wins tiebreaker.
With the win, followed by a loss by Sporting Kansas City, the Union would take the conference title. However, a tie or loss and the Union could be passed by the Crew, who have 47 points, or the Dynamo with 46. Under that circumstance, the Union would lose the tiebreaker against both teams.
Also important entering the postseason is home-field advantage, which takes place in the wildcard, second round series and one-game conference championship. The MLS Cup title game has been pre-determined to be at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. The Union completed the season 7-1-9 at PPL Park, making it a legitimate weapon in any playoff success and something they want to hold on to however possible.
The way to arm what weapon is simple, they need to win the conference.
The higher the Union get up the East standings, the better chance they have to play host of a wildcard team in the second round, which is a two-game aggregate series won by total goal differential. The lower seed hosts the first game and the higher seed hosts the second, so that the goals-needed outcome is clearer in the deciding latter match.
By winning the conference, the Union would play the second lowest seed, with the Supporters Shield winners, the award given to the top regular season team, the Los Angeles Galaxy, hosting the overall lowest seed. This would also give the Union their best chance of facing an East team in the second round, which would be seen as favorable considering the Western Conferences propensity for providing quality competition and longer, more extreme travel hours.
When considering the postseason scenario as a whole, the final game of the regular season isnt just a formality and it isnt just a bonus for the Unionit could decide how easy their journey is through the postseason.
A win could pave the Unions road to the conference championship and potentially the MLS Cup, making Thursdays contest a pivotal match-up with a heavy influence over the Unions playoff lives.
E-mail Ryan Bright at ryanbright13@gmail.com.