MLS Cup 2011: 10 Teams That Could Join the Championship Party

Major League Soccer announced the location of the 2011 MLS Cup Championship match on Tuesday.

For the fourth time in league history, the match will be held at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The match is scheduled for Nov. 20, 2011 at 9 p.m. ET.

While it is very early in the season, and anything can happen in the playoffs, here is a list of the top 10 teams that could make it through a long season, survive a brutal playoff schedule and make it into the championship match.

They have already hoisted a piece of Timber Joey's log, but can they hoist the cup?

While this is a long shot, and it would be an amazing accomplishment for an expansion team to make it to the championship match in its first season, the Portland Timbers are currently playing well enough to warrant inclusion in this list.

They are not playing like an expansion team and have 13 points through their first 10 matches.

Portland also has a great fan base and a big home win over Real Salt Lake.

Team Cup History: Expansion team, first season in league.

Will the recovery process for Charlie Davies result in a championship for D.C. United?

After a rough stretch during the month of April, D.C. United seems to be showing signs of life again with a good showing against both the Seattle Sounders and FC Dallas.

One challenge for them to overcome is the loss of midfielder Branko Boskovic, who was beginning to play well. Boskovic is likely out for the season after and injury to his ACL.

Team Cup History: D.C. United has won a record four cups with the most recent in 2004.

Houston has struggled with consistency early in this season. They currently have an even record at 3-3-3.

They are an explosive offensive team with rookie Will Bruin leading the way. His three-goal performance against D.C. United is the best individual performance of the season.

As the season goes on, Houston could be a team that surprises a lot of people with their ability to score in bunches.

They do have a tough stretch over the next several weeks when they will face Real Salt Lake, the New York Red Bulls and the LA Galaxy in their next three matches.

Team Cup History: Won consecutive Cup Championships in 2006 and 2007.

In what is a bit of a surprise this season, the Philadelphia Union currently sit just two points behind the Red Bulls for first place in the Eastern Conference.

They have lost once each to the Galaxy and the upstart Timbers, but posted a big win against New York.

They have been tested early by a series of lineup changes but have responded well as a team.

The Union could quietly amass points, slip into the playoffs, and make some noise this postseason.

Team Cup History: Have not yet played for the MLS Cup.

The defending MLS Cup Champions from last season have started this season playing well, and have managed several injuries and a long suspension. 

The biggest news for the Rapids is the suspension of Brian Mullan, who is out for several matches following a challenge that resulted in a broken leg of an opposing player.

The toughest match of the season was on the road against rival Real Salt Lake, who scored late in stoppage time to snatch a road draw away from the Rapids.

This team will be dangerous when they can get healthy and field their full team.

They would like nothing more than to prove that last season's MLS Cup title was not a fluke.

Team Cup History: Defending Champions and winners of MLS Cup 2010.

Since coming into the league, the Seattle Sounders have played well and avoided the rough seasons often suffered by expansion teams.

Aided by one of the league's best fan bases, they are tied with the Galaxy with 10 matches played and currently have a record of 3-3-4.

Perhaps the biggest match for them comes in July when the take on world powerhouse Manchester United in Seattle.

They have a great opportunity in that match to earn more respect for MLS and American soccer.

If they find a way to turn the draws into wins, they could make some noise in the playoffs.

Team Cup History: They have not yet played for the MLS Cup.

The Columbus Crew are capable of playing as well as anyone, but needs to find a way to win on the road.

They are quietly in second place in the Eastern Conference, and played to a draw with New York. They have good wins against FC Dallas and the expansion Whitecaps.

The Crew has played well over the last few seasons, winning the Cup in 2008 and making a good run in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Forward Emilio Renteria leads this club with four goals. If he gets on a scoring streak, this team will be in good position to go far in the playoffs.

Team Cup History: Winners of the MLS Cup in their only appearance in 2008.

Although they are playing well, history is not on the side of the Galaxy.

Only one time in league history has the team who hosted the MLS Cup gone on to win the championship. It happened in 1997 when D.C. United won the cup on its home field.

The Galaxy could be the second team to win the cup at home this season as they are currently leading the league with 16 points.

Over this last weekend, they played well against the Red Bulls at home and were just inches away from a win on a slow rolling shot from Landon Donovan that was kicked away at the last moment.

If it weren't for a 4-1 loss to Real Salt Lake early in the season, they would be in the second spot.

Perhaps this is the year that the investment into David Beckham can pay off on the field and he can lead them to a title.

Team Cup History: Winners of the Cup in 2002 and 2005. Runner-up four times, most recently in 2009.

Due partly to their historic run in the CONCACAF Champions League, Real Salt Lake has played the fewest number of matches of any team in the league.

They have played well and trail the Galaxy by only one point. They have a record of 5-1, with the lone loss coming to the Timbers just days after losing to Monterrey in the CCL finals.

Real Salt Lake now has the added challenge of finishing the season without its best player and playmaker, Javier Morales, who underwent surgery for a broken ankle suffered on a cheap shot last Saturday.

They are a deep team and should find a way to win with a reserve player stepping into Morales' position.

Based on their record, they would be in the first position, but with the uncertainty of how the club responds to the injury to Morales, they are in the second spot.

Team Cup History: Winners of the 2009 MLS Cup in their only appearance.

The New York Red Bulls are the favorite to make it to Southern California and win the MLS Cup.

Led by former World Cup winner Thierry Henry, the Red Bulls are playing well and could start to dominate the league.

They showed this over the weekend in a strong road draw against the Galaxy.

Henry has raised the level of his play and is doing everything needed to help his club win. His inspired play has helped his teammates to play better and the Red Bulls are going to be tough to stop this season.

They currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with 15 points.

Team Cup History: Runner-up in the 2008 MLS Cup