With a total-goals, home-and-home format in the first round of Major League Soccer’s two-game playoff series, home field advantage in the opening round doesn’t appear to hold a real significant advantage.
But if D.C. United defeats the MetroStars at RFK Stadium today in the regular-season finale for both teams, United could reap the benefits of a raucous home crowd and have a shot at reaching MLS Cup.
If United (10-10-9) beats the MetroStars (11-11-7), D.C. will finish second in the Eastern Conference and secure home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs against the MetroStars. United has known for two weeks, once the club clinched a playoff spot, the MetroStars would be their opening-round opponent.
New England defeated Chicago last night 2-1 to earn the fourth and final playoff spot in the East.
If United wins its playoff series against the MetroStars, and New England upsets the top-seeded Columbus Crew, who are riding an MLS record 17-game unbeaten streak, in the first round of their playoff series, United would play the one-game conference final at RFK. The conference final winners will advance to the MLS Cup on Nov.14 at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
But what looks like a positive postseason situation for United could turn out to be a moot point if the club doesn’t beat the MetroStars today on national television and lock up the conference’s No.2 seed.
United, winner of five of its past six games in all competitions, is peaking at the right time and is unbeaten in nine straight home matches since May 19.
Given United’s current form and its relatively good health, its players believe they can reach the league’s championship game for the fifth time in nine seasons.
“We feel [the MLS Cup is] up for grabs, and no one is playing better than we are right now,” United midfielder Ben Olsen said.
However, a three-game minefield against the MetroStars stands in United’s way. From MLS’ first year in 1996 to 1999, the league adopted a best-of-3 playoff format leading up to MLS Cup.
“That always seems the way it ends up — you have a team on your schedule at the end of the season and you play them in the playoffs. … I don’t think it’s a big deal,” said MetroStars defender Eddie Pope, who played seven seasons (1996-2002) in Washington.
For today’s game, United will be without midfielders Dema Kovalenko (red card) and rookie Joshua Gros (accumulation of yellow cards) because of suspensions. Coach Peter Nowak has plenty of options — Freddy Adu, Tim Lawson, Eliseo Quintanilla, Santino Quaranta, Ezra Hendrickson, Nana Kuffour and Earnie Stewart — to call on in place of his suspended players.
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