We really need this game too. We will have to play LAFC after this, and then seattle at home. After that the schedule has us up against some of the weaker teams to finish up. But i really don't want to have to play our way back into the playoff race during the last 5 games.
and then Seattle away you mean. We need to win five of our next nine games to reach 55 pts, a total which should get us 2nd place in WC. We have four home games, against three weaker teams + SEA. So most likely way to get to 55 is win all of the home games and one of five on the road. Throw in an additional draw on the road and we should be in great shape.
Yes, this is really the game that will define where we stand. Seattle will be hungry, but they also played last night and have to travel while we don't. And the squad rotation last night means we should have some fresh legs for Saturday. With road games at LAFC and Seattle next, we really really need the 3 points in this one.
While our defense is what tends to worry most of us it’s worth noticing that we are 9th best in MLS in goals allowed but 20th in goals scored. Our lack of scoring is still our biggest flaw. Hopefully Pavon will change that.
That works in both directions. They may be out of form but they will also be motivated as hell. Hopefully we can go on a scoring spree and make that moot. Speaking of motivation -- in the DAL post game interviews our players were emphasizing how vital it is to win the few home games we have left (more than the usual player-speak). So they at least get it, even if it isn't always apparent on the field.
So what was all this worry about the past game against Dallas being a "must win"? Looks like a pretty easy path to the playoffs, and if we can't get there comfortably, then we wouldn't be good enough to have a hope, anyway.
The win vs Dallas raised our playoff prob to 94% from the ~80% it would have been with a DAL loss. Just as importantly it puts us exactly on pace to end the season ~53pts, which is predicted to earn 4th place and a home playoff game. If we had lost to DAL it would have taken a miracle to end up in the top 4, most likely requiring us to go 4-0-0 at home and 2-2-1 on the road.
I like 94% chance better, but 80% chance of making the playoffs means it was anything but "must win", no? Unless we are out of the top 7 by more than 3 points or with only a couple games left, then it's not really a must win. Must win to get home advantage? I guess perhaps if that's the bar, but still a stretch with so many games left. And that run of results is far from a miracle. We should be able to do that, or near that, if this team comes together for a playoff run. If not, well there's always next year.
You are technically correct of course - not a must win but a very important win. All wins matter of course, early in season or late. But when you come down the stretch still needing several more wins, have a losing road record for the season and still have to play away at LAFC, SEA, COL, RSL and HOU your margin for error is small. That makes winning your home games almost vital.
Yes, our form this year tells us that we will probably win at most 2 of those games. Looking at projected points for all the teams in the west that would mean we need to win 2 of our 4 remaining home games to get the final playoff spot and 3 if we want to finish in those top 4 spots...
Looks like we are going to trot out the same lineup accept Antuna starts over Efrain. Fingers crossed and lots of prayers on this one folks.
It looks like our best possible 11. Also a hint we are not playing our starters on Tuesday against Cruz Azul, which makes total sense.
Best 11 and Skfhjfd starting doesn’t compute. My own best 11 would replace him and Rolf with Romney and Araujo.