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| | Sunday, October 24 Columbus Crew vs. Tampa Bay Mutiny | |||||
| Background: Neither team ended the season particularly strong:
Columbus lost its last two, Tampa Bay four of its last five.
Regular season: Crew: 19-13 (2nd place); Mutiny: 14-18 (3rd place).
Season series: Mutiny 3-1 (two victories by shootout).
Schedule Game 1: Oct. 17: At Columbus 2, Tampa Bay 0 Game 2: Oct. 22 Columbus 2, at Tampa Bay 0 Analysis: Columbus was picked by some to challenge D.C. for supremacy in the Eastern Conference. It didn't happen. D.C. won all four meetings. But with Stern John again among the goal-scoring leaders (18), the Crew clearly improved over their 15-17 record of last year. Their new soccer-only stadium, where they went 10-6, was a help. Tampa Bay, too, clearly improved, especially after getting Carlos Valderrama early in the season, but was less successful than Columbus at its new home, Raymond James Stadium, going 6-10. | ALSO SEE MLS playoffs: Fire open defense of title
Tampa Bay Mutiny playoff roster
Major League Soccer playoff schedule
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