2009 MLS Cup playoffs

Format

Main article: MLS Cup Playoffs

At the 2009 season's end, the top two teams of each conference made the playoffs; in addition, the clubs with the next four highest point totals, regardless of conference, were added to the playoffs. In the first round of this knockout tournament, aggregate goals over two matches determined the winners; the Conference Championships were one match each, with the winner of each conference advancing to MLS Cup. In all rounds, the tie-breaking method was two 15-minute periods of extra time, followed by penalty kicks if necessary. The away goals rule was not used.

Standings

Conference standings

Overall standings

Bracket

| RD1-group1=Eastern Conference | RD1-group2=Western Conference | team-width=200px | RD1-seed1=E1 | RD1-team1=Columbus | RD1-score1-1=0 | RD1-score1-2=2 | RD1-seed2=E4 | RD1-team2=Salt Lake | RD1-score2-1=1 | RD1-score2-2=3 | RD1-seed3=E3 | RD1-team3=New England | RD1-score3-1=2 | RD1-score3-2=0 | RD1-seed4=E2 | RD1-team4=Chicago | RD1-score4-1=1 | RD1-score4-2=2 | RD1-seed5=W1 | RD1-team5=Los Angeles | RD1-score5-1=2 | RD1-score5-2=1 | RD1-seed6=W4 | RD1-team6=Chivas USA | RD1-score6-1=2 | RD1-score6-2=0 | RD1-seed7=W3 | RD1-team7=Seattle | RD1-score7-1=0 | RD1-score7-2=0 | RD1-seed8=W2 | RD1-team8=Houston (AET) | RD1-score8-1=0 | RD1-score8-2=1 | RD2-seed1=E4 | RD2-team1=Salt Lake (AET) (PEN) | RD2-score1=(0)5 | RD2-seed2=E2 | RD2-team2=Chicago | RD2-score2=(0)4 | RD2-seed3=W1 | RD2-team3=Los Angeles (AET) | RD2-score3=2 | RD2-seed4=W2 | RD2-team4=Houston | RD2-score4=0 | RD3-seed1=E4 | RD3-team1=Salt Lake (AET) (PEN) | RD3-score1=(1)5 | RD3-seed2=W1 | RD3-team2=Los Angeles | RD3-score2=(1)4

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.

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference

Findley

Findley Olave Williams O'Rourke Moreno

Real Salt Lake advances 4–2 on aggregate.

Husidic Osei Joseph

Jankauskas Larentowicz Blanco

Chicago Fire advances 3–2 on aggregate.

Western Conference

Birchall Donovan Galindo Saragosa

Thornton Nagamura Cuesta
Kljestan Donovan

Los Angeles Galaxy advances 3–2 on aggregate.

Mullan Chabala Alonso Evans

Riley Ljungberg Cameron Ching Houston Dynamo advances 1–0 on aggregate.

Conference finals

Eastern Conference

Wingert Beckerman Johnson Prideaux Blanco Morales
Findley
Beckerman
Johnson
Espíndola
Grabavoy
McBride Conde Thorrington Brown Pause Prideaux Real Salt Lake advances 5–4 on penalties.

Western Conference

Boswell Landín Donovan Berhalter Donovan Los Angeles Galaxy advances.

MLS Cup

Magee Findley Berhalter Kirovski Donovan Magee Klein Buddle Findley Beckerman Grabavoy Williams Wingert Russell

References

References

1. "2009 MLS Playoff Guide". MLSNet.com.