Vancouver Whitecaps’ win eliminates Chivas USA, Colorado Rapids, and Portland Timbers from 2012 MLS Cup Playoff contention
Vancouver Whitecaps FC continue in their pursuit of the final Western Conference playoff berth after defeating Chivas USA 4-0 Wednesday night in front of their home crowd.
With just three games remaining for each team, the Portland Timbers, Colorado Rapids, and Chivas USA all are unable to overtake Vancouver’s current 42 points. Therefore, the three Western Conference teams have been eliminated from 2012 MLS Cup playoff contention.
Two Western Conference teams, Vancouver and FC Dallas, remain in the running for just one remaining Western Conference playoff berth.
Already secure in their playoff positions are:
Western Conference
San Jose Earthquakes
Real Salt Lake
LA Galaxy
Seattle Sounders FC
Eastern Conference
Sporting Kansas City
ABOUT THE 2012 MLS CUP PLAYOFFS
The top five teams in points from each conference at the end of the regular season (10 total) will qualify for the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The fourth and fifth place teams in each conference will play a single knockout game, the winner of which will advance to the Conference Semifinals and face the first place team in the conference.
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 decided by a 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.
MLS Cup will be a single championship match hosted by the higher seed. If the score is tied after 90 minutes of play, two 15-minute extra time periods will be played in their entirety, followed by penalty kicks, if necessary.
