I like Hurst's idea but I'll point out that the baseball playoffs started last week in order to fit their playoff system in. Because of the early start date to their playoffs (and complications due to rainouts) baseball often plays four games in a week. Having played both high school soccer and baseball it's very obvious that the physical toll extracted from soccer is far greater and four games in one week would be grueling resulting in a drop in the level of play. For the same reason, I don't like the idea of playing the three most important games of the season all on one day's rest. Why not extend the playoffs a single week into the season and if need be readjust the number of games a team is allowed to play during the regular season (from 16 down to 14 + two tournaments?)
I'm all for eliminating #1, I see no problem with ties and in fact we've seen a couple matches end in ties this season without the total collapse of soccer as we know it!
