MLS Playoffs
2013 MLS Direct Kick package unveiled
NEW YORK (February 27, 2013) – In 2013, Major League Soccer’s Direct Kick television package will feature additional games for the same price as last year, $79.* This year’s television package will provide fans the opportunity to watch up to 236 MLS regular season matches and select playoff games during the 2013 season. MLS has collaborated with all three providers to offer a FREE PREVIEW from March 2 - 9, for the opening two weekends of the MLS season.
Five soccer tournaments to look forward to in 2013
Commerce City, Colo. - The World Cup in Brazil is next year!
Now that we're officially in the year 2013, that's one of the first things I thought about as I looked ahead at what's to come in the soccer world this year.
Here are the five soccer tournaments I'll be paying attention to over the next 12 months:
Adidas and MLS unveil new official match ball for 2013
PORTLAND, Ore. / New York – Adidas and Major League Soccer on Thursday unveiled the updated adidas PRIME, the official match ball for the 2013 MLS season. The adidas PRIME features a new, more aerodynamic construction engineered for increased control and consistent ball movement.
Team aims to finish strong after missing out on playoffs
Commerce City, Colo. - Watching the Colorado Rapids training session Thursday morning, one would be surprised to know it was a team that had been eliminated from playoff contention less than 12 hours before. The team was sharp and active, showing no signs that there are only three games remaining this year with no chance at hardware.
But the reality and the disappointment was obvious on the faces of each player and coach afterwards as they walked back to the lockerroom .
Colorado eliminated from playoff contention
Commerce City, Colo. – Following their 4-0 victory over Chivas USA tonight, the Vancouver Whitecaps join FC Dallas as the lone teams fighting for the fifth and final Western Conference playoff berth.
Playoff Outlook: Rapids must sweep final three, get help
With the Colorado Rapids tying the LA Galaxy Sunday evening, the fifth and final Western Conference berth in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs will be decided over the final three weeks of the season, though teams could be eliminated on Wednesday.
Vancouver (39 points) currently holds the fifth spot ahead of Dallas (37 pts), Colorado (31 pts), Portland (30 pts), and Chivas USA (28 pts). Every team but Chivas has three games remaining. Chivas has four games left.
Playoff Outlook: Only one spot remains in Western Conference
There is only one Western Conference berth remaining in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs after the Seattle Sounders clinched their place in the post season Saturday night with a tie against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The San Jose Earthquakes (61 pts), Real Salt Lake (52 pts), LA Galaxy (49 pts) had already secured their entry the previous two weeks.
Playoff Outlook: Three more teams could clinch over the weekend
The San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, and Real Salt Lake have claimed three of the five Western Conference berths for the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. The Seattle Sounders could take one of the remaining spots on Saturday, leaving the final place up for grabs for at least another week. No teams have yet been eliminated, though that could change by Sunday.
The Eastern Conference is much tighter. No teams have clinched any of their five berths, althought New England and Toronto have been eliminated.
Playoff Outlook: One team in, one eliminated heading into weekend
Heading into last weekend, all 10 MLS Cup Playoff berths were still up for grabs. That changed over the course of the 5 days.
Not giving up on playoffs with six games left
Drew Moor gives a thumbs up during win over Portland
Commerce City, Colo. - Over the weekend the San Jose Earthquakes became the first MLS team to secure a place in the 2012 MLS Cup Playoffs. No teams have been eliminated from contention as of September 9, and the Rapids are optimistic that can make a final push to move into a playoff spot come late October.
