Fanshawe FC: Who's who in the MLS playoffs
The MLS postseason — it's pandemonium.
There are 12 teams
who could qualify for the 10 spots,
with two clubs in the Eastern
Conference losing out. Here's a little
background on each team, so
you'll know what to expect come
playoff time.
Eastern Conference
New York Red Bulls: The first team to clinch a playoff spot, led by striker Thierry Henry. They are deep at every position and should go far in the playoffs with their expansive play. They've gotta be MLS Cup favourites.
Sporting Kansas City: A very deep team with emphasis on defensive- minded players (only 29 goals against, first in the league). Graham Zusi's hair is as great as his name.
Montreal Impact: Flying the Canadian flag. They were probably the best-looking team at any time in the season — they were aggressive, and fun to watch with lead striker. Had a six-game losing streak near the end of the year, could they be tailing off?
Chicago Fire: Acquired striker Mike McGee from L.A. halfway through the year after a 2-2-7 start. Won three straight going into the final days of the season. Big underdogs, but are fun to watch.
New England Revolution: A young team that went from bottom of the league to contender. Diego Fagundez will move to Stoke City in the off-season for any English Premier League fan.
Houston Dynamo: They fell off of the radar at the end of the year, and are now in the Eastern Conference crapshoot. Brad Davis is a really progressive player for the U.S. national team. A very successful club that made it to the final last season after squeaking into the playoffs.
Philadelphia Union: They pulled in near the end of the year. Lead by upstart striker Jack McInerney, this team is young and ready to challenge for the next couple years.
Western Conference
Portland Timbers: Well rounded, very good defensively, one of the best supported teams in the league. Jeld-Wen Field will be a difficult place to play for many teams.
Real Salt Lake: My pick from the west. This is an aggressive, free-flowing team that scored a ton of goals during the season. Whether or not they can stay consistent will be key.
L.A. Galaxy: Two-time defending champions. Full of quality star players like Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. They have been known to turn it on late in the season — this could be yet another championship for L.A.
Seattle Sounders: The best supported team in the league — the more than 50,000 fans who will show up for these playoff games will be up for it. Clint Dempsey has added to a championship ready side.
Colorado Rapids: They put together a strong set of results to cap off the year. The underdogs in the west have been known to put together streaks during the regular season. Could it happen again?
Eastern Conference
New York Red Bulls: The first team to clinch a playoff spot, led by striker Thierry Henry. They are deep at every position and should go far in the playoffs with their expansive play. They've gotta be MLS Cup favourites.
Sporting Kansas City: A very deep team with emphasis on defensive- minded players (only 29 goals against, first in the league). Graham Zusi's hair is as great as his name.
Montreal Impact: Flying the Canadian flag. They were probably the best-looking team at any time in the season — they were aggressive, and fun to watch with lead striker. Had a six-game losing streak near the end of the year, could they be tailing off?
Chicago Fire: Acquired striker Mike McGee from L.A. halfway through the year after a 2-2-7 start. Won three straight going into the final days of the season. Big underdogs, but are fun to watch.
New England Revolution: A young team that went from bottom of the league to contender. Diego Fagundez will move to Stoke City in the off-season for any English Premier League fan.
Houston Dynamo: They fell off of the radar at the end of the year, and are now in the Eastern Conference crapshoot. Brad Davis is a really progressive player for the U.S. national team. A very successful club that made it to the final last season after squeaking into the playoffs.
Philadelphia Union: They pulled in near the end of the year. Lead by upstart striker Jack McInerney, this team is young and ready to challenge for the next couple years.
Western Conference
Portland Timbers: Well rounded, very good defensively, one of the best supported teams in the league. Jeld-Wen Field will be a difficult place to play for many teams.
Real Salt Lake: My pick from the west. This is an aggressive, free-flowing team that scored a ton of goals during the season. Whether or not they can stay consistent will be key.
L.A. Galaxy: Two-time defending champions. Full of quality star players like Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane. They have been known to turn it on late in the season — this could be yet another championship for L.A.
Seattle Sounders: The best supported team in the league — the more than 50,000 fans who will show up for these playoff games will be up for it. Clint Dempsey has added to a championship ready side.
Colorado Rapids: They put together a strong set of results to cap off the year. The underdogs in the west have been known to put together streaks during the regular season. Could it happen again?
