By beating the MetroStars 3-1 Sunday (Aug. 6), Chicago pushed into the top two and created a three-way logjam of teams at 41 points. Kansas City, despite losing 5-1 to Los Angeles Saturday, keeps the No. 1 seed with 44 points. But it gets crowded after that. Chicago, the MetroStars and Tampa Bay all have 41 points, and just another point back is Los Angeles with 40. The remaining three playoff places are filled by tightly bunched Colorado (36), Columbus (35) and Dallas (34). Next on the ladder are New England (33) and Miami (29). The Fusion kept its own playoff hopes alive and may have killed off those of D.C. (24) by beating United 3-1 Saturday. San Jose brings up the rear at 23 points. Including tiebreakers, the seeds look like this: Seed Team Pts. Games left 1. Kansas City 44 8 2. Chicago 41 7 3. MetroStars 41 8 4. Tampa Bay 41 7 5. Los Angeles 40 7 6. Colorado 36 7 7. Columbus 35 6 8. Dallas 34 6 **************************** 9. New England 33 7 10. Miami 29 8 11. D.C. United 24 6 12. San Jose 23 7 The first MLS tiebreaker is head-to-head results, with subsequent ties decided by goal differential in all games played. Chicago has already won the season series with Tampa Bay (2-0-1). It split two games with the MetroStars (losing 4-1 and winning 3-1) but has a superior goal difference. The Metros take the No. 3 seed since they have a 2-1-0 series edge against the Mutiny. The playoff matchups based on current standings are: 1. Kansas City-8. Dallas vs. 4. Tampa Bay-5.Los Angeles 2. Chicago-7. Columbus vs. 3. MetroStars-6. Colorado In the playoffs, the eight seeded teams are placed in brackets and there is no re-seeding of teams after each round. The first and second rounds are best-of-three series with the highest-seeded team holding the homefield advantage. MLS Cup 2000 is scheduled for Oct. 15 at RFK Stadium. — Ridge Mahoney
