Desired Outcomes [R]

[SavannahFan]

Quite simple, this thread is to keep track of which teams we would like to lose, and which team we would like to win on any given matchday. With the point spread being so small this season, other team's results affect us almost as much as our own. So...

Starting with this weekend's matches, the way I see em is that it would be a good thing if:

1. NE loses, CHV wins - Keeps us in the Eastern lead, would rather CHV not pick up another 3, but in this case Iprefer the Goats with em rather than the Revulsion.

2. KC Loses, LA wins - I feel dirty for even semi rooting for the Gals, but the same logic holds. As much as I like to watch LA suffer, three points in their column hurts us less than in KC's. A tie would be alright also...

3. NJ loses, CO wins - This is my vote for "hope a sinkhole opens up and swallows both teams into the bowels of the earth" game. But since the chances of that happening are regrettably slim, OI will settle for a Jersey loss. Last thing we want right now is for Metro to start feeling good about themselves again. Not to mention the last team I want to retake the lead from us, is them. A tie would be "ok" too...

4. And obviously, DC United beating the Dynamo. Us winning is always the desired outcome of course

All the other matches fall into what I call the personal preference column:

I'd prefer the Fire over TFC, just because TFC fans are more annoying. RSL over CLB, just because Id rather DC not be the only team they have beat...

We'll see how things turn out after the weekend is over

[jason1551]

It's simple:

1) For any West vs. East games, cheer for a West win.

2) For any East vs. East games, cheer for a draw.

Why?

The #1 conference seed is more valuable than the SS and more unlikely for DC due to the unbalanced nature of the two conferences. We want the East teams to lose or split as many points as possible to keep us in first place, which would guarantee home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

You can do weekly breakdowns of this method, but those two outcomes are the only ones that really benefit DC.

[ursula]

The #1 conference seed is more valuable than the SS

I may have missed something but why is the SS less valuable if that is what got us into this year's CCC?

I also think too much weight is given to the unbalanced schedule. It would not take much at all for a couple of west teams to get their acts together enough to balance the conferences. Even now there are three decent western teams out of the seven good teams.

We've played at three of the six western teams so far with a loss, tie, and loss to show for it. There are no gimmes on the schedule, especially on the road. Now we play the hottest team in the league on the road. I believe they are a western team too.

[jason1551]

I may have missed something but why is the SS less valuable if that is what got us into this year's CCC?

I also think too much weight is given to the unbalanced schedule. It would not take much at all for a couple of west teams to get their acts together enough to balance the conferences. Even now there are three decent western teams out of the seven good teams.

We've played at three of the six western teams so far with a loss, tie, and loss to show for it. There are no gimmes on the schedule, especially on the road. Now we play the hottest team in the league on the road. I believe they are a western team too.
The SS is important and a great trophy to aim for and is the gateway to international tournaments (for now, anyways, but so is the MLS Cup), but it is harder this year to attain than in years past. The East is tightly congested right now, while the West is fairly loose. To win the SS, we have to outrace an FCD team who plays most of their remaining games at home and a resurgent Houston squad, while hoping none of the East teams catches us. That's a pretty unlikely scenario, IMO.

And I said unbalanced conferences, not schedules. A quick view at current playoff scenarios has 5 East teams and only 3 West teams with TFC and Colorado two points out. It would take a lot more than "a couple of west teams to get their acts together" to balance that out, especially with the inconsistency of LA and Colorado and the rapidly improving TFC and Columbus teams.

So cheer for East vs. East draws. And East vs. West draws when beneficial.

Hell, cheer for West vs. West draws if you want the SS. Basically, any scenario that splits points helps DC so long as DC wins games.

[SavannahFan]

No,

That would be the case if you did not factor in how much I dislike certain teams, for example, even though it might have helped a conference opponent in the points race, it is worth it to me to see a team like the Galaxy suffer.

If KC were not nipping at our heels, I would actually look for them to beat Donovan.

Points are not everything. But at this point, with us in the Eastern lead, points matter more to retain bragging rights than they might of when we were #4.

I love to win, but watching my enemies suffer is fun too :D

[Footer Phooter]

Aw c'mon....can't I just root against NYRB and LA?

[SavannahFan]

Aw c'mon....can't I just root against NYRB and LA?ahh, you are free to dislike as many teams as you want. Me...? I toss the Revs, Fire, and Colorado in with my personal hate list.

[Footer Phooter]

ahh, you are free to dislike as many teams as you want. Me...? I toss the Revs, Fire, and Colorado in with my personal hate list.

Colorado?Really? What'd they ever do?

Here's the thing with NE. When we're not playing them, I'm totally indifferent. When we are playing them, I suddenly remember why I flat-out can't stand them.

[DCSharksFC]

we have 4 games in hand on fcd, we're fine, as long as we get 3 points per game for the rest of the season

also, the upcoming houston game is a big 6 pointer

finally, i really like the new playoff format :D

[SavannahFan]

Well, with the sat games out of the way, the first question is: Are we tied for first with the Revs now if we cannot pull a point (or three) tomm (and Metro loses)...?

At least KC only pulled in one point, but whodathunk Cobi would be the 2 goal scoring sub...?

Fingers and toes crossed, and a lucky rabbits foot that the Bulls are tired enough, and lame enough to lose to the Crapids at Dick's...

[BBBulldog]

ahh, you are free to dislike as many teams as you want. Me...? I toss the Revs, Fire, and Colorado in with my personal hate list.

Colorado has a team?

[SavannahFan]

Well, this week, the name of the game is "Tie"

Obviously we want a DC United win over FCD, but after that, let's keep our fingers crossed for:

1. A Tie between NJRB and the Revs - Hate saying this, usually I love a Red Bull loss, but either team winning would place them ahead of DC, even if we win our game.

2. Columbus Ties the Goats - either team getting three points would place them ahead of us if we fail to win, no thanks. I'd rather both teams be behind us in the points race.

And now the "sure would be nice if" category:

3. A Fire win over Houston. - Yeah, right. A boy can dream, right...?

4. A TFC win over Houston - C'mon, these guys have to be getting tired with so many games in a row...

5. RSL over KC - Again, I hate being the only team they have beaten, plus I don't want to see KC with another three.


If things can go our way this week, then we will be in a great position going into the All Star Break, and have some great momentum for the home stretch.

Right now, the following teams would make the playoffs:
1. Houston
2. FC Dallas
3. NJRB :mad:
4. NE Revs
5. DC United :D
6. KC Wiz
7. Columbus :eek:
8. Chivas



Vamos DC....!!!

[JOHNL2]

The only outcomes I hope for with the new playoff format, is DC United to win. And a draw from every other team in the league (high scoring so it helps my fantasy points).