Concept table idea if we do not want use the word "relegation" in the MLS overall standings.

Conference Standings

Pos	Team v t e	Qualification
1	Chicago Fire	2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage
2	Columbus Crew	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs 2012 U.S. Open Cup Third Round proper
3	D.C. United	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs 2012 U.S. Open Cup Third Round proper
4	New England Revolution	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
5	New York Red Bulls	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
6	Philadelphia Union
7	Sporting Kansas City
8	Toronto FC

Updated to match(es) played on January 2011. Source: MLSSoccer.com

^Note 1 - The top two clubs in each conference are guarenteed spots in the 2011 MLS Cup Playoffs. The other six clubs in the playoffs enter via-wild card entrees, regardless of their conference, based on their overall standings in a single table.

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	L	T	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	LA Galaxy	34	19	5	10	48	28	+20	67	MLS Cup Conference Semifinals
2	Seattle Sounders FC	34	18	7	9	56	37	+19	63
3	Real Salt Lake	34	15	11	8	44	36	+8	53
4	FC Dallas	34	15	12	7	42	39	+3	52	MLS Cup Play-In Round
5	Colorado Rapids	34	12	9	13	46	42	+4	49	MLS Cup Play-In Round
6	Portland Timbers	34	11	14	9	40	48	−8	42
7	San Jose Earthquakes	34	8	12	14	40	45	−5	38
8	Chivas USA	34	8	14	12	41	43	−2	36
9	Vancouver Whitecaps FC	34	6	18	10	35	55	−20	28

Source: MLS

Overall standings

Pos	Team v t e	Qualification
1	Chicago Fire	2012–13 CONCACAF Champions League Group Stage
2	Chivas USA	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs 2012 U.S. Open Cup Third Round proper
3	Colorado Rapids
4	Columbus Crew
5	D.C. United
6	FC Dallas
7	Houston Dynamo	2011 MLS Cup Playoffs
8	LA Galaxy
9	New England Revolution
10	New York Red Bulls
11	Philadelphia Union
12	Portland Timbers
13	Real Salt Lake
14	San Jose Earthquakes
15	Seattle Sounders FC
16	Sporting Kansas City
17	Toronto FC
18	Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Updated to match(es) played on January 2011. Source: MLSSoccer.com

^Note 1 - Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC cannot qualify for the U.S. Open Cup, as they are Canadian-based teams. If either qualify for an automatic berth into the U.S. Open Cup, the next highest-placed U.S.-based team not already qualified will be given a berth. Similarly, they cannot qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League through MLS. Rather, they can qualify through the Canadian Soccer Championship. If they finish in a Champions League automatic qualifying spot, then the highest-placed U.S.-based team not already qualified will qualify.
^Note 2 - Additional Champions League berths will be awarded to the participants of MLS Cup 2011 (TBD). The winner of the 2011 U.S. Open Cup also qualifies.
^Note 3 - 2012 SuperLiga berths are awarded to the top 4 finishing teams from MLS who do not qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. These berths are open to teams from both the U.S. and Canada.