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MONTREAL -- No matter how they got there, the Montreal Impact are relieved just to be part of the Major League Soccer playoffs. China Jerseys Cheap . After losing their regular season finale in Toronto on Saturday, the Impact could only sit and watch as other teams decided their playoff fate. Finally, a 5-2 win by the New York Red Bulls over the Chicago Fire gave them fifth place and the final Eastern Conference post-season berth. Montreal (14-13-7) will face the fourth-place Dynamo (14-11-9) in Houston on Thursday night in a one-game playoff. "In the end, were still alive. Thats very positive," coach Marco Schallibaum said Monday. "We were on life support. "We were very frustrated on Saturday. But were still alive and we have another chance." If the Impact win, they will play host to the first-place Red Bulls in the first leg of their semifinal at Saputo Stadium on Sunday, with the second leg later in the week in New York. It was a shocking way to end the season for Montreal, which dominated the first four months while building a 9-3-2 record but went flat with a 5-10-5 record after that. They were 1-6-1 in their final eight games. Even Impact defender Matteo Ferrari wonders if they deserved to make it. "I was sure that New York was going to win the game but still, even if they won, we dont merit (it)," the Italian centreback said. "I want to be honest because everyone knows, we dont merit right now. "We merit before, for sure, because we played almost perfect at the beginning of the season. Now we have to get back to where we were." Captain Davy Arnaud was having none of that. He was hosting his daughters birthday party on Sunday, but couldnt resist putting MLS games on the television to see what his teams fate would be. Depending on the results, they could have ended the day anywhere from third to sixth place. He said that even if the team played badly down the stretch, they did enough to continue for at least another day. "We got into the playoffs off our performance over a 34-game season," he said. "Our form hasnt been the best of late and our results at the end of the season werent what we wanted, but everyone plays 34 games and you finish where you deserve, regardless of what other people do. "We needed some help after our result in Toronto, but I look at what weve done (all season)." The club made progress by reaching the playoffs in only its second season in MLS. They finished seventh with a 12-16-6 record as an expansion team in 2012. They also won the Amway Canadian Championship and set a record for a Canadian MLS club with 49 points. If they beat Houston, the Impact will be the first Canadian team to reach a conference semifinal. Vancouver was beaten in a playoff knockout game last year. "Its a big step," said Arnaud. "We should be proud of the fact that, in the second season of this group being together, we got into the playoffs because its not easy. "To be honest, with the way we started the season, we were a little disappointed that were finishing fifth because we know we can be a good team. But we still have a chance to be playing on the last day, and thats important." They should have some help against Houston. While centreback Alessandro Nesta wont be able to return from a calf injury, midfielder Patrice Bernier said he will be back from a hip injury and Schallibaum said central defender Nelson Rivas, who hasnt played this season due to chronic bad knees, should be able to play at least the final 20 minutes. Left back Jeb Brovsky, who has been out two weeks with a broken toe, is back training at full speed as well. Montreal beat the Dynamo twice at home this season by 2-0 and 5-0, but lost 1-0 in Houston on Oct. 4. They are 0-2-1 in Houston over two seasons. The Dynamo are tough at home. The orange-clad side led by Giles Barnes and Will Bruin reached the final last season. "Theyre very good and experienced," said Arnaud. "They had to win on the last day to get in, but if theres one team in the league that knows how to get the job done in the playoffs its Houston. "They find a way to step up and play at a different level and we have to be prepared for that." Houston may not want any part of the Red Bulls. New York went 3-0 against the Dynamo and outscored them 9-1 this season. Montreal beat the Red Bulls at home 1-0 early in the season, then lost by 2-1 and 4-0 in New York. They havent met since July 13. The Seattle Sounders play host to the Colorado Rapids in a Western Conference playoff game on Thursday, with the winner advancing to a semifinal against the Portland Timbers. Stitched China Jerseys .C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. Cheap Jerseys . Toronto has lost six of its last eight games but is coming off Thursdays 7-3 victory at Kansas City. Juan Francisco and Colby Rasmus both went deep for the Blue Jays, who are second in the American League with 34 home runs on the season.NEW ORLEANS - The NFL has formally designated New Orleans Jimmy Graham as a tight end for the purposes of his franchise tag value, which is now set at $7.05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Because Graham ofteen split out from the offensive line as a receiver would, there have been questions concerning whether the NFLs collective bargaining agreement calls for Graham to have a receivers tag, worth $12. China Jerseys 2020. 1 million. Graham still could file a grievance, leaving an arbitrator to decide which tag is appropriate. Graham caught a team-leading 86 passes for 1,215 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. ' ' '
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