Reaching Major League Soccers playoffs in just their second season in the league is a significant achievement for Montreal Impact, but the clubs late season form has somewhat spoiled the party. Montreal head to Houston for the Eastern Conference Knockout Round match on Thursday (live on TSN at 8:30pm et), but the Impact will need to significantly improve their performance if they are to stand any chance of success. Its the very definition of backing into the playoffs. Montreals 1-0 loss at Toronto FC in their final game of the regular season took the clubs fate out of their own hands, and ensured a nervous 24 hours waiting and watching other teams trying to snatch their playoff place. Montreal fell from third to fifth during the course of the weekends action, but just held on thanks to New York Red Bulls win over Chicago Fire. It was a situation no-one would have expected in mid-season when the Impact were challenging at the top of the Eastern Conference. Marco Schallibaums men started the season as the form team in MLS, winning their first four matches, and amassing 29 points from 14 matches, but a late season slump saw the Impact drop down the standings. They head into the playoffs having won just once in eight matches and only earning four of a possible 24 points. Only DC United, the leagues worst team, took fewer points in the final eight games. Injuries have been an issue during the final stretch. With Alessandro Nesta and Jeb Brovsky missing games, Montreals depth at the back has been tested, and provided some minutes for youngsters Karl Ouimette, Maxim Tissot and Wandrille Lefevre. In midfield, Argentine Designated Player Hernan Bernadello and Canadian international Patrice Bernier have also spent time on the sidelines. Against Toronto, Montreal did have chances to tie the game and Reds goalkeeper Joe Bendik made some excellent saves, but the first half performance from the Impact was flat and the midfield battle was lost. Midfield is one of Houstons strengths, and Montreals ability to grasp control of that area will likely go a long way to determining the outcome of the match. Boniek Garcia, Warren Creavalle, Ricardo Clark and Brad Davis have the ability to dictate the tempo and run the game from midfield so the Impact will need to ensure they dont allow the Dynamo to dominate that area of the pitch. Houston secured a playoff place thanks to a 2-1 win at DC United on the final day of the regular season and finished the season quite strongly, winning four of their last seven. One of those victories came against Montreal earlier this month, when they beat the Impact 1-0 at BBVA Compass Stadium with an early goal from Ricardo Clark. The Dynamo will have home advantage. They also have the benefit of having been in this position before. They won at Chicago Fire last year in the Knockout Round on their way to reaching MLS Cup for the second successive season. So Houston are clear favourites, but the Impact have matched up well against the Dynamo this year. In fact, in the two games played at Stade Saputo Montreal dominated against Houston, winning 2-0 in June, and then demolishing the Dynamo 5-0 in August. Even in the 1-0 loss in Texas a few weeks ago, Montreal had a few good chances to tie the game and could also have had a penalty called in their favour. Plus with 20 goal Marco Di Vaio in the ranks, theres always the chance they will get a goal. They just need to ensure the Italian gets the service he needs. Its set up to be an entertaining night in Texas. There has to be a winner, so if the match is tied after 90 minutes, there could be extra time and penalties. The winner will move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinal to face the MLS Supporters Shield winners New York Red Bulls over two legs, with the first match being played on Sunday. Montreal Impact at Houston Dynamo is live on MLS on TSN on Thursday night. The action starts at 8:30pm et on TSN with Luke Wileman, Jason deVos and Kristian Jack. wholesale nfl jerseys . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. cheap jerseys from china ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. http://www.jerseyscheapnfl.us.com/ .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. cheap jerseys . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. nfl jerseys china . PETERSBURG, Fla.RENTON, Wash. -- Percy Harvin is listed as doubtful to play Monday night for Seattle against the New Orleans Saints because of lingering soreness in his surgically repaired hip. Harvin made his debut with the Seahawks two weeks ago against the Minnesota Vikings and appeared in 21 total plays, 19 offensive snaps and two plays on special teams. Harvin made one catch for 17 yards and returned a kickoff 58 yards in his only two touches in the game. Coach Pete Carroll expected Harvin to be fully integrated into the offence coming out of their bye, but Harvin was unable to practice during the week. "We thought that (the soreness) would go with a week break and all of that, but it just lasted a little longer than we thought, and if anything at all is not right were not going with him," Carroll said. "Were going to make sure hes 100 per cent before we go." Harvins hip remains sore and hasnt responded the way the Seahawks expected comiing out of the game.dddddddddddd Carroll said they dont see any structural issues with the hip. "Hes just sore and so we dont want to push beyond that right now. Its not worth it," Carroll said. The Seahawks acquired Harvin in a trade with the Vikings in March and gave him a new five-year contract. He was limited in off-season work due to soreness in his hip that prompted surgery on Aug. 1. He missed the first 10 games of the season while on the physically unable to perform list before being activated two weeks ago. Notes: Carroll said he expected to hear more from the league on CB Brandon Browners status by the middle of next week. Browner is reportedly facing a suspension for a violation of the leagues substance-abuse policy. Browners appeal was heard by the league on Wednesday. He is out for Monday nights game with a groin injury. ... 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