Kevin Baxter asked why MLS had embraced an unpopular first-round playoff format—and got me thinking

The short answer is about “content” for Apple TV, but the analysis is more about the problems with this year’s format. That got me thinking about the MLS Cup Playoffs format I’d like to see.

New York Red Bulls 0 – Chicago Fire 2: news roundup

Chicago Tribune: Fire move into 2nd place in East with 2-0 win The victory enabled the Fire to improve to 17-10-5 overall. They have 56 points, leaping over the Red Bulls (15-9-8, 53 points) into second place in the Eastern Conference standings. The win puts the Fire on the doorstep of clinching a berth in … Read more

Roundup: Chicago Fire 1 – Vancouver Whitecaps 0

Seth Gruen in the Chicago Sun-Times: “Fire beats Whitecaps, thanks to Sean Johnson’s saves” Jack McCarthy in the Chicago Tribune: “Pardo’s goal enough for Fire: Despite playing man short for final 21 minutes, they win 1-0” … and Jack McCarthy in the Vancouver Sun: “Vancouver Whitecaps fall to Chicago Fire 1-0 after Pavel Pardo’s early goal”

In the press: Sporting Kansas City 0 – Chicago Fire 1

Chicago Tribune: “Pappa leads Fire past Sporting KC: 5th goal leads to 3rd straight win” With the Fire carrying a 2-4-1 road record into Friday’s tilt and Sporting losing just once at home all season, the home side looked like a strong bet to take maximum points in the crucial Eastern Conference clash. Chicago Sun-Times: … Read more