Do we really want to make the playoffs?

[Cweedchop]

Just playing Devil's advocate here.....

Hear me out before flaming me off the boards...


1) In the unlikely situation that we actually do make the playoffs, we will be severely shorthanded up front and with Nelsen out..

Call me selfish, but I'd like to go into a playoff situation with a decent chance of winning and granted we are playing better these days, but do we seriously have a chance to do any damage?

I don't think so..

2) Making the playoffs decreases our chances of getting an impact player through the draft..

Yes, recently #1 picks haven't exactly torn up MLS, but we need some help and having the #1 or #2 pick would go a long way towards helping our team..

Let's remember that the Superdraft is not just for college players coming in, it's also for allocations coming into the league and P-40 signings..

Granted, Ray Hudson hasn't exactly put a lot of stock into drafting in his short MLS history but this could be a good pick for us next season..

3) It could be all academic as soon as 9:30 pm on Thursday night..



For me, I'd love to see the team break their 2 year no playoff jinx, but I'd also like to see them have a chance as well...

[CHICO13]

If only to deny the MetroSucks ANYTHING, it'd be worth it. :D

[ignatz]

And as between NE and NY, I'm for NE simply for the NE fans. In the seven years of MLS, NE probably has the best attendance record per victory of any team. They've had lousy team after lousy team, and still are up near the top in attendance. It's that kind of fannies-in-seats support that will decide whether MLS survives and prospers or not. The NE fans have earned it. By the same standard, we DCU fans haven't been too shabby during these three years of drought and disaster.

[monster]

Just food for thought. The picks the last three years for the slot going to the final playoff team

2002 - Kelly Gray
2001 - Josolita Vaca
2000 - Aleksy Korol

And the #3 picks those years

2002 - Brad Davis
2001 - Mark Lisi
2000 - Adin Brown

[andylovesoccer]

After 2 years of no playoffs, I am all for a little post-season action. Of course, looking at the long term, I should be wanting that high draft pick, but Knave's thread pointing out that we win the Cup every three years by beating LA has given me a renewed hope and enthusiasm.

[ursula]

CWeed- you are without doubt THE worst person in the history of this planet. (Can't vouch for other planets, but I'm sure you would still be in the running.)


There. You can't get any more flamed than that!

Seriously, I'd still want to make the playoffs if only to boost the confidence of the players and I think even a short playoff run will do that.

[shawn12011]

I think the benfits to Convey, Chino, Q1 and Q2 (et. all) are worth it......also kicking out the Mutros helps!!

[Bambule GK]

It's an interesting Devil's advocate position to take, but in the end I can't get behind it...

This franchise needs a bit of energy/momentum. Missing the playoffs for the third straight year does little to nothing in terms of "sending a wake-up call" or "lighting a fire."

Memo to DC management: If you're not awake due to the inferno burning your arse at this point, you need to check into the shop Chris Reeves is currently so high on...

I'm fairly confident that Ray has had it with certain players and that we will continue to see him go after hungry players that are open to his style/system. Regardless.

The worst we will be, in terms of draft, is the #4 pick (we have an outside shot at the #7 seed.) It's a lot like the NHL, MLB... A total, complete toss-up for the first 6 or 7 players drafted, in terms of their long-term viability.

The odds are, if we lose, it puts the Metro in... Yuck.

[TEConnor]

I can only recall two or so matches this year where DC got completely played off the park. I recall a lot more where DC played well enough, but didn't finish well enough, to pull out a win or draw. It is my belief that the team would be competitive in the playoffs, with a reasonable chance to upset either LA or SJ. Not to mention that RFK rocks these days and we always have wonderful atmosphere for the playoffs.

And here is what you should ask yourself:

Would you, a supporter, want the opportunity to cheer on DC in an upset of LA in the first round? I realize it is a MAJOR long-shot...but that is what playoffs are about, right? Do Huddersfield Town, Swansea, Rushden & Diamonds, et al. just bow out of the FA Cup because they don't have the finishers? Does Rochester and Charleston bag the US Open Cup because they're A-league? [Insert Animal House Quote Here...]

Oh, I almost forgot: FLAME ON YOU.

Tim

[GrillMaster]

Cweed, what the eff are you advocating??? That DC throw the last game???

Everybody needs to stay focused: the only control we have over the playoffs is the result we earn vs Dallas.

Stay focused people. There will be plenty of time for as-if scenarios after, and if, we make the first step.

Things have broken so well for DC that I expect the negative balancing event to be heard from shortly (you know, the yin-yang thingy), unless we've stocked up so much negativity over the past couple of years that we win the cup! ;)

GM
How's that new mutt butt orifice, ESC??

[GoDC]

Simple answer, YES!!!

[uniteo]

Seriously, did we really want to beat Germany in the WC? Wouldn't inflated expectations hamper the USMNT for years to come? Who wants to be in the final four, it's just a trap...

Hell yeah we want to be in the playoffs.

[TEConnor]

Originally posted by GrillMaster
[snip]
Things have broken so well for DC that I expect the negative balancing event to be heard from shortly (you know, the yin-yang thingy), unless we've stocked up so much negativity over the past couple of years that we win the cup! ;)

There is an odd cosmic balance with United's history up to this point. I have to say that my fandom clearly bottomed out two weeks ago...so I am optimistic that our collective karma is on the upswing.

Then again, as my wife points out repeatedly (she's new to the sport, and this is her primary observation about the game): soccer is incredibly cruel...only manic-depressive loonies (like us) could love the sport.

Regardless, I will do my best to help cheer on DC against Dallas and the rest will be up to NE and CLB. If we are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, I find it hard to believe that anyone would be taking that gift-horse's to the dentist.

Temporarily Optimistic,
Tim

[dcuinvermont]

I actually don't care that much whether we make the playoff or not (although I would like to see a few more DC games). But, I want to see DC win on Thurs. and New England beat the Metros. If Chicago or KC both take spots that will be ok. It basically comes down to a question of whether I want DC to win on Thurs. Yes. Apart from that it's just a roll of dice one way or the other.

[JMU Soccer!]

Yes, we do want them to make the playoffs.

[mcontento]

I want DC United to win every frigging game they play, I don't care if it is USOC, MLS, MLS Cup, friendlies, scrimmages, CONCACAF CC, whatever, just win!!!

[MeridianFC]

Do we really want to make the playoffs?

Yes.

[Bambule GK]

Originally posted by TEConnor



Regardless, I will do my best to help cheer on DC against Dallas and the rest will be up to NE and CLB. If we are fortunate enough to make the playoffs, I find it hard to believe that anyone would be taking that gift-horse's to the dentist.

Temporarily Optimistic,
Tim

Just so we all send the right vibes in the right direction:

Our friends this weekend, most likely, are NE and the Rapids.

By the time the CHI v. CLB game rolls around, we hope it's about seeding...

[Cweedchop]

Excellent...


All I really wanted to accomplish is to get a good topic going..

I, in no way,would ever advocate United losing a match..


Only good things can come from taking that last playoff spot, the most of which is confidence which this team has sorely lacked for one reason or another for the better part of 3 years...

And as monster pointed out, some relatively good players have gone to teams with the last playoff spot..

Relax people, just tryin' to rattle a few cages...

[GoDC]

Originally posted by Cweedchop

Relax people, just tryin' to rattle a few cages...

If that is so, then if we make the playoffs, I hope we can get some Richmond midfielders on loan to give us a chance. ;)