OK ... the season begins 2 weeks from today ... so you've got 2 weeks to decide where you believe this Revs team will end up in points for the 2011 season. Just to know ... this thread will be brought up during the season to show who looks like they were right and who wasn't. I will be closing the thread on game day around noon.
Not nitpicking but you do mean we have two weeks to decide, right? I've been looking forward to this but we obviously need to see how the rest of pre-season unfolds.
Aiiee ... yeah, thanks. Changed my post to reflect that. I had to repost the thread to begin with already, it's been a long day.
I hope so. I really really hope both injuries (especially Dabo's) are healed within two weeks, and that we don't end up dealing with . . . well, I don't even want to mention any of the lingering injuries of years past. I'm probably being silly about a couple of routine training injuries, but its hard not to be gun shy. I held my breath today when Shalrie was reported as being injured and off the field . . .
That's a lot of draws and the same amount of wins as last year. I was originally thinking 12W, 8T, and 14L - which puts them right at the upper end of the 40-44 option. I guess I'll wait the 2 weeks to see if injuries and/or any new signings change things for me.
Remember, they finished with 32 points in 30 games last year, and with that same pace this year and four more games, they'd be at 36.
That is a good point, the extra number of games have to be factored into any comparison with last year. The better prediction would be if we think they will make the playoffs, or not, which of course forces us to estimate how other teams will do against each other--not just against the Revs. In that light, my prediction is that Steve N. structures this team well enough to tease us into cruel Hope, only for frustration to hit us in the end. That is, I predict we'll be close to the best team not to make the playoffs.
We'll be tighter on defense, but we've signed old men (Dabo in particular) who won't last 34 games or even close to it and we have no true goal scoring threat. On paper, we are one of the weaker teams in the league unless we add some spectacular player(s) in the next two weeks. If our "attack" is Tierney(Mansally)-Perovic-Stolica-Nyassi, that has to be at or near the bottom of the league. Which is where we're going to finish, because eeking out 0-0 draws can only take you so far.
Hard to say at this stage, but I'll go with 41 points. We should be significantly better than Vancouver, Portland, Seattle, Philly. Depending on how the other low-to-mid teams fare, comparable to Chicago, DC, Houston, Chivas, Toronto, Seattle.... We'll be in the thick of it for a playoff spot, but there are too many variables right now to guess at whether we make it or not, and if so, how far we'll go.
Last year, the 8th place playoff team finished with 1.533 points per game, and with that pace would have 52 points this year. If the two expansion teams aren't competitive (and odds are that at least one won't be), then 52 points to get into the playoff will actually go up. My guess at this point is closer to 55...
Significantly better than Portland, Philly, and Seattle? I don't think so. I think we should be significantly better than Toronto, Chicago, and Vancouver.
with the addition of a decent stiker and if everyone remains healthy we could very well be better than Portland, TFC, Philly and Vancouver.....Chicago and Seattle? doubt it
Believe it or not, I actually think Chicago will be contending for a wild card playoff spot. I like the additions they've made. The other two, though--they should be below us. I'm also not buying any miracles in DC. I think the Crew could implode this year. I see something like this in the East: NYRB Houston Philly KC Chicago Revs Crew DC Toronto And this in the West: RSL FCD Galaxy Colorado San Jose Seattle Portland Chivas USA Vancouver I don't see us making the playoffs--again, unless a bigtime goal scorer is added prior to the MLS window closing on April 15th. July will be too late--it always is.
The east is New York, and then whoever can stay healthy or have some surprise standout players. Really, the east is pretty terrible this year. Might even be worse than last year. The quality overall in MLS seems a bit lacking to me. Obviously we haven't seen these teams play yet, but judging by names, the rosters seem thin. Expansion is starting to take it's toll.
I believe SN adds a striker before the season starts, and I am going with 6/7th place finish in the East, 50 points on the button and a place in the play offs.
Like KraftOut I think RevsOut....of playoffs....again. Will make for some exciting must win games at the end of the regular season, but they won't get it done. Unless a decent striker is found before it's too late. Here's hoping I'm mistaken.