MLS Cancels Remaining regular season games of 2001

In a decision that I support, MLS chose to cancel the remaining regular season matches of the 2001 season. Most of the matches were not necessary to determine who was going to play in the playoffs. For the most part the only thing left to figure out was the order of the teams. This has been determined by other criteria.

The teams in order with their points are:
1 Miami Fusion - 2.084 PPG (16-5-5, 53pts)
2 Chicago Fire - 1.963 PPG (16-6-5, 53pts)
3 Los Angeles Galaxy - 1.808 PPG (14-7-5, 47pts)
4 Columbus Crew - 1.731 PPG (13-7-6, 45pts)
5 San Jose Earthquakes - 1.731 PPG (13-7-6, 45pts)
6 MetroStars - 1.615 PPG (13-10-3, 42pts)
7 Dallas Burn - 1.346 PPG (10-11-5, 35pts)
8 Kansas City Wizards - 1.333 PPG (11-13-3, 36pts)

The reason that the Burn are ranked ahead of the Wizards even though the Wizards have one more points is because the Burn have played one less game. Therefore the PPG (points per game) is higher for the Burn.

Here is the schedule for the first round of playoff matches. It it interesting that not many will be televised nationally.

Thursday, September 20
Dallas Burn (#7) at Chicago Fire (#2), 8:30 pm

Saturday, September 22
Kansas City Wizards (#8) at Miami Fusion (#1), 4:00 pm - Telemundo
San Jose Earthquakes (#5) at Columbus Crew (#4), 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 23
MetroStars (#6) at Los Angeles Galaxy (#3), TBD
Chicago Fire (#2) at Dallas Burn (#7), 1:30 pm - ESPN2

Wednesday, September 26
Los Angeles Galaxy (#3) at MetroStars (#6), 8:00 pm
Miami Fusion (#1) at Kansas City Wizards (#8), 8:30pm
Columbus Crew (#4) at San Jose Earthquakes (#5), 10:00 pm

Saturday, September 29 (all subject to change for ESPN2 at 3:30 pm)
*MetroStars (#6) at Los Angeles Galaxy (#3), 10:00 pm
*Kansas City Wizards (#8) at Miami Fusion (#1), 7:30 pm
*San Jose Earthquakes (#5) at Columbus Crew (#4), 7:30 pm
*Dallas Burn (#7) at Chicago Fire (#2), 8:00 pm
(* if necessary)

With the tragic events on Tuesday, I agree with MLS' decision to cancel the remaining matches and also to get on with the playoffs. I know that people will need to mourn but also get on with their lives and have a distraction.

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