Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

2010 MLS Cup Playoffs

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Country
  
United States Canada

Defending champions
  
Real Salt Lake

Teams
  
8

Runners-up
  
FC Dallas

Champions
  
Colorado Rapids (1st title)

Semi-finalists
  
Los Angeles Galaxy San Jose Earthquakes

The 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs was the postseason tournament subsequent to Major League Soccer's 2010 season.

Contents

The playoffs began on Oct. 30, with the Los Angeles Galaxy defeating the Seattle Sounders FC in the quarterfinal-round. Three weeks later, the Colorado Rapids defeated FC Dallas 2-1 in the Cup final at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario. It was Colorado's first title and second MLS Cup final appearance, and it was FC Dallas's first appearance in an MLS Cup final.

Of the eight MLS clubs to earn qualification into the tournament, only four of them qualified the season beforehand; Columbus Crew, Los Angeles Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, and the defending-champions, Real Salt Lake. The San Jose Earthquakes were making their first playoff appearance since 2005, Dallas' since 2007. It was Colorado's and New York Red Bulls's first time since 2008.

Format

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

Overall standings

  • ^Note 1 - Toronto FC cannot qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, as it is a Canadian-based team. If they qualify for an automatic berth into the U.S. Open Cup, the next highest placed team not already qualified will be given a berth. Similarly, they cannot qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS. Rather, they can qualify through the Canadian Soccer Championship. If they qualify for the Champions League through MLS, then the highest placed team not already qualified will qualify.
  • ^Note 2 - The winner of the 2010 MLS Supporters' Shield (Los Angeles Galaxy) and the winner of MLS Cup 2010 (Colorado Rapids) qualified for the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage. The runner-up of MLS Cup 2010 (FC Dallas) and the winner of the 2010 U.S. Open Cup (Seattle Sounders) qualified for the 2011–12 CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round.
  • ^Note 3 - 2011 SuperLiga berths are awarded to the top 4 finishing teams from MLS who do not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League.

    • Conference Semifinals

    San Jose Earthquakes advance 3–2 on aggregate

    Colorado Rapids advance 5–4 on penalties

    FC Dallas advance 3–2 on aggregate

    Los Angeles Galaxy advance 3–1 on aggregate

    References

    2010 MLS Cup Playoffs Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA