I originally intended to comment on what's been a frenzied and emotional past 10 days for the U.S. men's national team. The big picture was pleasant enough. Unbeaten in their final two WCQ games, the Americans booked a ticket to South Africa in 2010. But delving deeply into the smaller subplots surrounding the team was a dizzying enterprise. A quick glance at ESPNSoccernet's headlines reveals the danger of trying to closely examine this team right now. Charlie Davies has been moved from intensive care. Oguchi Onyewu underwent knee surgery. Jay DeMerit had his cornea replaced. I didn't even know that was possible. The news, however, wasn't entirely bad. Apparently, Jonathan Bornstein, much criticized in his own country, will never pay for a meal in his life in Honduras, if that's any consolation. I mean, you couldn't make this stuff up. That's why I decided the pressing questions will have to wait for another day. Questions like: Is Chad Marshall a national-caliber center back or just a reliable squad player? Will Stuart Holden take the next step and cement his place in Bob Bradley's starting 11? Can Maurice Edu get back to full fitness and challenge Ricardo Clark, and possibly Michael Bradley, for a place in the midfield? Will Jozy Altidore get the regular minutes he needs? There's plenty of time until South Africa for those questions to be answered. It all seems like too much to digest, so I'll leave the plate full, for now. Instead, I decided to ease my brain and turn my attention to the MLS playoff race. Entering the season's final weekend, the playoff picture is far from settled. Five teams have clinched postseason berths, while seven battle for the final three spots. Here's my two cents on each of the teams that have either booked a place or are still in the race: In it to win it Columbus (49 points, vs. New England) -- MLS teams haven't been able to develop the squad depth and quality to be able to seriously compete in multiple competitions. Columbus is beginning to reach that standard. Watching the Crew beat a New England team fighting for its playoff life on the road was impressive. Remembering the regulars who weren't in the side made me shake my head and wonder what the rest of the league is going to do to stop them this year. Los Angeles (45 points, vs. San Jose) -- On a good day, L.A. can beat anybody. On a bad day, well, it can concede six goals to Dallas at home. That's a harsh take on what has been a vastly improved and mostly impressive Galaxy back line. But they'll probably need Landon Donovan to win a match or two on his own to go deep in the postseason. Houston (45 points, at Chivas) -- Houston looks like the team with the horses to challenge Columbus, if it can get that far. Though, as the Dynamo's recent game against L.A. as well as the standings show, not much separates these two in the Western Conference. Chivas (45 points, at Chicago, vs. Houston) -- Chivas is one of the hottest teams in the league right now. An unbeaten streak (six games), a hot goalkeeper (Zach Thornton) and a player with something to prove (Sacha Kljestan) are all things that can come in handy in the postseason. Home-field advantage wouldn't hurt, either. Seattle (44 points, vs. Dallas) -- Seattle was always a popular dark horse to go all the way with its dynamic, explosive attack and a secret weapon in Qwest Field. The goals have dried up recently, but three goals in a comeback win over Kansas City this past week will bring a sigh of relief for Sounders fans. Work left to do Chicago (42 points, vs. Chivas) -- This team is way too good on paper to not make the playoffs and needs only a draw in its final game to clinch. But that's not really a ringing endorsement, especially for a side that's had trouble winning at home and would be limping into the postseason. Colorado (40 points, at RSL) -- Another team that hasn't done itself any favors in the late stretch with nothing but a pile of ties and a tough away match at Real Salt Lake to show for it. Unfortunately for the Rapids, another draw may not be good enough Saturday. Dallas (39 points, at Seattle) -- Four wins in a row has inexplicably kept Dallas in the hunt. It'll hope to catch Seattle napping in Qwest Stadium in its final game, but three points is still a hard ask there, even if the Sounders go to sleep in Seattle in their final game. D.C. United (39 points, at Kansas City) -- Hasn't looked like a playoff team of late, but a recent win over Columbus may have breathed new life into D.C. heading into the home stretch. Away to Kansas City should be a winnable game to give them a chance. New England (39 points, at Columbus) -- The fact that New England still has a chance is worthy of praise. But despite no shortage of effort in almost impossible circumstances, the results just haven't been there -- and the Revs end against the league's best team. Not good. Toronto (39 points, at N.Y.) -- I still can't decide if having to beat the worst team in the league (New York) on the road for a chance to go to the playoffs for the first time is a blessing or a curse. Real Salt Lake (37 points, vs. Colorado) -- Long shot. RSL spent too much of the latter part of the season trading wins with losses to put it in the postseason.