[MLS SCHEDULE: Playoffs] The MLS playoffs begin Wednesday when the Chicago Fire hosts the Houston Dynamo in a play-in game. The teams are evenly matched, having played to 1-1 and 0-0 and finished with almost identical goal difference (46-41 vs. 48-41). For the MLS playoff schedule ...

EASTERN CONFERENCE
Play-in Game
Oct. 31 in Bridgeview, Ill.
Chicago vs. Houston, 9 pm ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Semifinals, First Leg
Nov. 3 in Harrison, N.J.
New York vs. D.C. United, 8 pm ET (NBCSN)
Nov. 4
Chicago or Houston vs. Sporting KC, 3:30 pm ET (NBC)

Semifinals, Second Leg
Nov. 7 in Washington, D.C.
D.C. United vs. New York, 8 pm ET (NBCSN)
Nov. 7 in Kansas City, Kan.
Sporting KC vs. Chicago or Houston, 7 pm ET (MLS Live, Direct Kick)

Final, First Leg
Nov. 10
3:30 pm ET (NBC)

Final, Second Leg
Nov. 17 or 18

WESTERN CONFERENCE
Play-in Game
Nov. 1 in Carson, Calif.
Los Angeles vs. Vancouver, 10:30 pm ET (NBCSN)

Semifinals, First Leg
Nov. 3 in Seattle
Seattle vs. Real Salt Lake, 10 pm ET (NBCSN)
Nov. 4
Los Angeles vs. San Jose, 9 pm ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)
or ...
Vancouver vs. San Jose, 10:30 pm ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Semifinals, Second Leg
Nov. 7 in Santa Clara, Calif.
San Jose vs. Los Angeles, 11 pm ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)
or ...
San Jose vs. Vancouver, TBD (MLS Live)
Nov. 8 in Sandy, Utah
Seattle vs. Real Salt Lake, 9:30 pm ET (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)

Final, First Leg
Nov. 11 or 12

Final, Second Leg
Nov. 17 or 18

MLS CUP 2012
Dec. 1
4:30 pm ET (ESPN, TeleFutura)