New this season to the postseason format of MLS, the top four teams in the league to not finish in the top three in their conference participate in a one-game playoff to advance to the conference semifinal round. Here are this year's wildcard matchups:
Tonight: (10) New York Red Bulls @ (7) FC Dallas 8 PM CT Fox Soccer
After a hot start to the season, Dallas has cooled off lately, getting knocked out of the CONCACAF Champions League and stumbling out of the top three in the West to having to play in the wildcard round. New York, meanwhile, everyone's preseason MLS Cup favorite, has struggled mightily and barely snuck into the playoffs with a late surge.
Pick: Dallas' offensive struggles end their season prematurely, and New York advances 1-0 on a Thierry Henry goal.
Thursday: (9) Columbus Crew @ (8) Colorado Rapids 10 PM CT MLSSoccer.comColumbus was one of the real surprises this season, as the Crew were not supposed to be competitive in what was built as a rebuilding year. But head coach Robert Warzycha has done a good job in making the Crew a playoff team, through U.S. International midfielder Robbie Rogers and a solid, yet inconsistent defense. Meanwhile, the defending champions from last year have been one of the most inconsistent teams in the league all season. Although the Rapids have lost all-star forward Conor Casey for the season, it still has firepower with Omar Cummings, Brian Mullan, and Jeff Larentowicz.
Pick: Rapids are at home, where they have been very good over the years, they win 2-1 and keep their title repeat chances alive.
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