The playoff race is coming down to the final weekend and the teams involved are Kansas City, New York, DC United, Real Salt Lake, and the Colorado Rapids.
The Kansas City Wizards have a seemingly easy way in, win and they are in. But they are traveling to to play the New England Revolution who are still fighting for home field advantage for the playoffs, so this will be new easy task. Plus Kansas City boats a league worst road record of 1-8-5, so chances on the road against the Revolution does not exactly play well into their favor.
The New York Red Bulls control their own destiny as well. If they win at Chicago on Thursday then they are in as well. But their situation is almost identical to Kansas City's. They travel to Chicago and New York boasts the 2nd worst road record in the league. And Chicago is fighting for home field advantage is the playoffs so this next match surely will not be easy for the Red Bulls.
DC United has a little tougher way to get into the playoffs. Not only do they need to win, but they need help as well. United has the third worst record in the playoffs, so apparently to make the playoffs it is extremely important to win on the road. IF both Kansas City and New York win then DC United can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. But first and foremost they need to blow out the Columbus Crew which probably won't happen considering they are the best in the league.
As Real Salt Lake's poor head to head record against New York and Kansas City means that a wildcard spot is out of reach for Real. That means that unlike the endless permutations out East, Real Salt Lake's path is simple. If Real Salt Lake forces at least a draw on the road against Colorado this weekend, they'll make the playoffs for the first time in their history. Otherwise, they'll end up watching the postseason at home for the fourth year running.
And lastly, we have the Colorado Rapids. This team is tougher to kill than Freddy Krueger. Left for dead numerous times during the season, a 2-1 road win this past weekend over Chivas USA kept Colorado in the race. A similar result this coming weekend will see the Rapids leap over Real Salt Lake and snag the final guaranteed spot in the West. The Rapids are certainly capable of getting a win this weekend, but they'll need to shed the memory of last year's season finale against Real Salt Lake, when Real Salt Lake beat Colorado at Dick's Sporting Goods Park and dumped the Rapids out of the playoff race.
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