Talk:MLS Cup Playoffs

Playoffs Qualifications - Top 3 from each conf?
In 2008, the top-3 teams from each conference will qualify for the playoffs, followed by the next 2 teams with highest points total regardless of conference, right? In this case the article needs to be updated (although the official site still shows the 2007 criteria). —Preceding unsigned comment added by Henryong (talk • contribs) 08:59, 13 February 2008 (UTC)

Language
A shoot-out after regulation time has expired (and teams are still tied) is called "kicks from the mark", not "penalty kicks", as no penalty has occurred. (Fifa Laws of the Game)

Redundant tiebreakers
After head-to-head result, total GD and total goals scored, the next tiebreaker is results in away games only (points, GD, total goals), then results in home games only. But if teams are equal on points, GD and total goals in all games, and they're equal on points, GD and total goals in away games, how could they possibly not be equal in home games? Am I missing something, or is there absolutely no point in including the home-games-only part in the tiebreak procedures? LarryJeff (talk) 21:45, 18 May 2011 (UTC)

History?
this article need look more like NBA_Playoffs, showing how the system change by the years, just do some copypaste, recopilation of the diagrams from every year page--Feroang (talk) 06:22, 8 October 2011 (UTC)

2007

 * 2007: The playoffs...

1 The Kansas City Wizards earned the eighth and final playoff berth, despite finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference. They represent the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket, as only three teams in the Western Conference qualified for the playoffs.

2008

 * 2008: The playoffs...

1 The New York Red Bulls earned the eighth and final playoff berth, despite finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference. They represent the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket, as only three teams in the Western Conference qualified for the playoffs.

2009

 * 2009: The playoffs...

1 Real Salt Lake earned the eighth and final playoff berth, despite finishing fifth in the Western Conference. They represent the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, as only three teams in the Eastern Conference qualified for the playoffs.

2010

 * 2010: At the 2010 season's end, the top two teams of each conference will make the playoffs; in addition the clubs with the next six highest point totals, regardless of conference, will be added to the playoffs. In the first round of this knockout tournament, aggregate (total) goals over two matches will determine the winners; the Conference Championships will be one match each, with the winner of each conference advancing to MLS Cup. In all rounds, the tie-breaking method will be two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule is not used.

2011

 * 201: The playoffs...

Note: The LA Galaxy, as MLS Supporters Shield winners, were assured of playing the lower seeded Wild Card series winner (New York Red Bulls) in the Conference Semifinals, while Sporting Kansas City would play the higher seeded Wild Card series winner (Colorado Rapids).


 * the base is ready--Feroang (talk) 19:53, 9 October 2011 (UTC)

Outdated (again)
The playoff format has changed again for 2012...


 * 1) The top five teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs—no more wild cards.
 * 2) The conference brackets are now completely separate—the potential "crossover" has been eliminated.
 * 3) The first round in each conference will be a one-off match between the #4 and #5 teams, hosted by #4.
 * 4) The conference semifinals remain two-legged, and the conference finals will also be two-legged.
 * 5) The MLS Cup Final is now hosted by the top surviving team, based on regular-season table points.

By the way, I really like the history idea—the article NEEDS to discuss all the formats that have been used throughout MLS history. — Dale Arnett (talk) 02:10, 30 December 2011 (UTC)
 * Agreed that this arcitle should better cover history. Here is a good source to get started: MLS. BLAIXX 16:42, 20 February 2022 (UTC)