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August 24, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


If the MLS Cup playoffs kicked off today - How do they seed?

If the MLS regular season ended today, defending MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew (10-3-9, 39 points) and two-time MLS Cup Champions Houston Dynamo (11-6-7, 40 points) would secure the top seeds in their respective conferences. The Chicago Fire (10-5-8, 38 points) and the Los Angeles Galaxy (8-4-11, 35 points) would claim the number two seeds in their respective conferences.

The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, would be awarded "wildcard" berths. Chivas USA (10-7-3, 33 points) would receive the first wildcard berth over Seattle Sounders FC (8-6-9, 33 points), because Chivas USA own a 2-0-0 record in head-to-head matches with Sounders FC this season. Sounders FC would claim the second wildcard berth and be seeded fourth in the Western Conference. Sounders FC's 33 points would be good enough for them to claim the second wildcard berth and would seed them fourth in the Western Conference.

The final two seeds would come down to a three way tie-breaker between the Colorado Rapids (8-7-6, 30 points), Toronto FC (8-8-6, 30 points) and the New England Revolution (8-6-6, 30 points), all tied with 30 points. Based on points per game records versus each other Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids would qualify for the remaining two playoff spots ahead of the New England Revolution. Thus, Toronto FC would be seeded third in the East and the Rapids would crossover for the fourth and final spot in the East. Some crucial upcoming matches for this trio fighting for a playoff spot down the stretch would be Sept. 5 when TFC visits Colorado, Sept. 12 when the Rapids head to Toronto and Oct. 3 when New England go head-to-head with the Rapids at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

If the MLS Cup Playoffs began today, Seattle Sounders FC would become only the second team in MLS history (1998 Chicago Fire) to qualify for the playoffs in their inaugural season. Toronto FC, who joined the League in 2007, would qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time. The Galaxy would return to the playoffs after a four-year hiatus for the two-time MLS Cup Champions. D.C. United, the second-winningest club in MLS Cup Playoff history behind the Galaxy, would be on the outside looking in for the second consecutive season.

But the season does not end today.

Each club has 6-10 games left to secure one of eight spots before the MLS Cup Playoffs are scheduled to begin Oct. 29.

New England Revolution forward Kheli Dube Wins MLS Player of the Week for Week 23

New England Revolution forward Kheli Dube was voted Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for Week 23 of the 2009 season. Dube notched his first career hat trick in the Revolution's 3-1 victory over Real Salt Lake to move the Revolution (8-6-6, 30 points) into a tie with Toronto FC (8-8-6, 30 points) for third place in the Eastern Conference.

Dube's three goals all came courtesy of the Zimbabwean forward's right foot, doubling his goal total from three to six on the season. Dube became the fifth Revolution player to tally a hat trick and the first Revolution player to do so since Taylor Twellman scored three goals in a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Crew on Sept. 10, 2005.

Dube's three-goal outburst helped him capture his first MLS Player of the Week Award. He received more votes than Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan, and New York Red Bulls forward Juan Pablo Angel and Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts who finished second and tied for third in voting. The second-year player from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe has been a consistent performer for the Revolution, scoring 10 goals in 37 career appearances for the club.

The Major League Soccer Player of the Week is selected each week of the MLS regular season by a panel of journalists from The North American Soccer Reporters (NASR). The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media. More information and membership information can be found at http://www.soccerreporters.com.

MLS Quotables

D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno on the club's club-record setting eleventh draw:

"We are just dry right now; at least it was a great effort by everyone. We've got to think we are going to break the ice at one point."

Chivas USA midfielder Sacha Kljestan on his first two goals of the season:

"I feel good but I'm not satisfied yet, I think we've got a long way to go. I hope to get on a good streak, not only myself but with the team as well. Two wins in a row is good for us, so we hope to build on this."

Seattle Sounders FC manager Sigi Schmid on the atmosphere at Qwest Field:

"Guys are excited every time they step on the field. You get goosebumps because you know the crowd's going to be there and the support is going to be there. Sometimes, I wish I could just be a fan and not work on game day"

Houston Dynamo share owner Oscar De La Hoya on sitting with Dynamo supporters groups during the Dynamo's 1-1 draw with Seattle Sounders FC:

"A promise is a promise, it feels amazing. I'm going to do it more often; I love it."

Previewing Week 24: August 26-30, 2009

(All Times Eastern)

Wednesday, August 26

Chivas USA at Real Salt Lake, 9:00 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- Chivas USA defeated Toronto FC 2-0 on Saturday to move to 10-7-3 with 33 points. They sit seven points back of Conference leaders Houston and two back of the Galaxy. Chivas USA and U.S. National team midfielder Sacha Kljestan opened his scoring account with both goals versus Toronto FC, and they also saw strong performances from their newest signings Jesus Padilla and Maicon Santos. Each player received their first start after being signed last week, and Santos' provided the assist on Kljestan's second goal. Real Salt Lake is looking forward to returning to Rio Tinto Stadium, where they have lost only once this season. With 27 points, they sit out of the playoff picture at the moment and will need help from their veteran leaders to steady the ship heading into the home stretch of the season. Chivas USA has dominated the series going 9-3-3 versus Real Salt Lake. This will be the first time the clubs meet at Rio Tinto Stadium.

Saturday, August 29

Toronto FC at Seattle Sounders FC, 4:00 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- In only their second meeting, the two newest MLS clubs face off in an important match. Each team currently sits outside of the automatic qualification spot in their conferences. With playoff positioning at stake, Seattle will look to make it two victories over Toronto FC this season. Freddie Ljungberg and Steve Zakuani scored goals the first meeting on April 4, a 2-0 Sounders FC victory. Toronto FC and the Seattle Sounders FC each have only one victory in their last five regular season games. Toronto FC is 1-2-2 in that stretch, while Seattle is 1-3-1 in their last five.

San Jose Earthquakes at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- New England is streaking with a 4-1-1 record over their last six matches including a hard fought, 1-0 road win over Seattle and a 3-1 home win over Real Salt Lake in their last two matches. Kheli Dube earned Player of the Week honors after recording his first career hat trick in the most recent victory. New England sit tied with three other teams for 30 points, which is currently the minimum amount of points for the last playoff spot. While the Earthquakes sit last in the Western Conference, they have a chance for their first winning month of the season as they are currently 2-1-0 in August, buoyed by Chris Wondolowski's late-game heroics in their 1-0 win over Kansas City last Saturday.

D.C. United at Chicago Fire, 8:30 p.m. (FSC, FSE)

- Although it was D.C. United who missed the playoffs in 2008 and Chicago advanced, United have the upper hand in the recent series versus the Fire. Since 2007, United are 4-1-3 versus Chicago with two of the victories coming at Toyota Park. They will need a reversal of fortune on the road, as D.C. United hold a 1-5-6 record on the road this season and have given up a staggering 26 goals when away from home - more than any team in the League. Chicago will look to continued strong play from reserve as Brian McBride is still out recovering from shoulder surgery, and Chris Rolfe and Marco Pappa have struggled to find consistent scoring form. Cuauhtemoc Blanco continues to be the engine of the Fire's midfield. He ranks tied for second on the team in goals with five, and leads in assists with eight. His eight assists are the second most in the League this season.

Real Salt Lake at Kansas City Wizards, 8:30 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- Two teams desperate for their playoff lives meet in this contest as Kansas City sit second to last in the Eastern Conference with a 5-9-6 record and 21 points. Real Salt Lake are not as far out, as they have a 7-9-6 record and 27 points, but perhaps they might be more frustrated. Last season Real Salt Lake made a dream run to the Western Conference championship game and will look to match that, but they will likely need 13 or more points out of their last eight games. Last season Real Salt Lake went 2-4-2 with 10 points in their last eight games.

Chivas USA at Los Angeles Galaxy, 11:00 p.m. (ESPN2, Deportes)

- This is perhaps the most important meeting between these teams, as it's only the second time they have met when they were ranked second and third in the Western Conference. This meeting comes later in the season than the only other previous meeting (July 10, 2008). The Galaxy, 6-1-2 in their last nine games, sit alone in second place in the Western Conference. The club is playing some of the best defense in the League, led by Rookie defenders AJ De La Garza and Omar Gonzalez. The Galaxy have posted five shutouts in their last nine games, and are giving up only 1.00 goals per game. The only teams playing better defense are the Houston Dynamo (0.88 goals per game) and their SuperClasico opponent Chivas USA (0.95 goals per game).

Sunday, August 30

Houston Dynamo at Colorado Rapids, 3:00 p.m. (Telefutura)

- The Colorado Rapids (8-7-6) will take on one of the League's best teams for the second week in a row. After jumping out to an early two goal lead, the Rapids fell to the Chicago Fire 3-2 on Sunday. Omar Cummings scored his 7th and 8th goals of the season in his second multi-goal game and leads the league in assists with 10. Houston's newest addition and first ever Mexican player, Luis Angel Landin, made his MLS debut in their 1-1 draw with Sounders FC. Houston defender Geoff Cameron, scored his first goal of the season and will look to build upon his offensive role as he has the most points of any Dynamo defender. The Dynamo (11-6-7) beat Colorado 1-0 April 19 and lead all-time play 7-2-2.

Columbus Crew at New York Red Bulls, 6:00 p.m. (DK, Match Center)

- The New York Red Bulls snapped a record 13-game winless streak with a 3-2 win over FC Dallas on Sunday with a brace from team leader Juan Pablo Angel (nine goals). The goal established Angel as the Red Bulls all-time leading scorer passing Giovanni Savarese (41 goals) for tops on the list. The win was the Red Bull's first victory since May 8. In interim coach Richie Williams' debut New York scored more than one goal in a game for the first time since May 30, a 3-2 loss to Colorado. The Red Bulls last played reigning MLS Cup Champions Columbus Crew June 27 and lost 1-0 thanks to a goal from Chad Marshall, who has scored two goals in the past three games. The 2008 MLS Defender of the Year also scored the game winning goal against the Red Bulls in the MLS Cup Championship game. Columbus (10-3-9) leads the Eastern Standings and is undefeated since June 27 (eight games).


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