We'll get 4 points in my estimation. With our current form, I think a win at DCU because our good form, but tired legs gets HOU a draw at SJE, and a loss at COR.
I think 4 points is the answer also.... it's the road, it's the Dynamo.. there will be one loss for sure.. At least it isn't a murderers row of teams to play.... we'll also get a win and a draw to earn 4 points.
It's an easy collection of road games if you look at the table. That is misleading though as several teams have injuries/call-ups or other issues that impact the game. With Boniek and Davis out on our end though, anything more than 3 points IMHO is a victory. 3 points is ok, but not great. Less than 3 is bad.
Actually wrote an article kind of about this over the weekend, only I look at it as more than this 3 match stretch and rather as the entire World Cup stretch without either or both of Davis/Garcia. Schedule and absences break down like this: May 17th – Los Angeles Galaxy – Davis unavailable May 21st – @ DC United – Davis & Garcia unavailable May 25th – @ San Jose Earthquakes – Davis & Garcia unavailable June 1st – @ Colorado Rapids – Davis & Garcia unavailable June 6th – Sporting Kansas City – Garcia unavailable, Davis status for the 23 uncertain June 29th – @ Montreal Impact – Garcia unavailable, Davis status for the 23 uncertain July 4th – New York Red Bulls – Coincides with the World Cup quarterfinals July 12th – @ Toronto FC – Coincides with the World Cup 3rd place game If we forget about the July 4th and July 12th matches, for now, starting with this weekend there were 18 points on offer. I reckon we need 9 to be in good shape. Better than 9 puts us in very good position. 4 or fewer would be a catastrophe. We have 3 so far, so I figure we need 3 of the next 9. SKC will be a tough match but they will be missing Zusi, Besler and possibly Collin as he looks like he might be out for a few weeks. I figure we can take those 3 points at home.
Getting 9 points outta 2 home games and 4 away games without Davis and Boniek would be huge, but not necessary to be in good shape. So far we've had not so good of a run and yet are in good shape standings wise. I think we'll be fine no matter how it goes through this stage, what I'm worried about is if Davis doesn't make the 23. How does that affect him mentally???
That is so far away. How do you feel about our chances if we lose Boniek to a European transfer this summer? SKC could lose Besler or Zusi. Toronto could lose Bradley. Anything can happen between now and then and how the teams replace stars that they may lose will go a long way in deciding who will make the playoffs and who will get in.
I keep hearing Boniek could be gone after the WC. I would hate that, he's great for our team in many ways. But I do hope the FO is hearing the rumors too and making plans.
I love Boniek but I really don't see many teams swooping in to buy a guy that's almost 30. If he is available for a free transfer (I don't know his current contract situation) I think it would be a lot more likely to see him go somewhere else. I also think the Dynamo would match anything up to the $500K range for him.
I love Boni, but I'd be hard pressed to say the has done anything (at least this season) that would lead to a European side swooping in for him. If he has a huge World Cup, that could change.
i actually think we get at least 6 out of the next three. these teams just aren't that good. we aren't that good either but we should suck less than they do.
Between numerous ties and the East looking bad, the playoff qualification points total is probably going to be closer to 45 than 50. I know we have played more games than some others but our 5 overall wins put us in decent shape even if we have looked putrid at times. I just don't see a massive home winning streak happening this year for us or really any team. They keep talking about Portlands streak but they have mostly ties not wins. So I think we do need to get a few road wins along the way. I say we pick up 4 points in the next 3 games.
Boniek leaving? I'd like to know more about this. I didn't find anything via google. I did find something interesting about Alex Lopez, that Dom is getting him ready for Europe (from December 2013, probably old news to y'all, but I hadn't read this before): http://www.elheraldo.hn/zonadeportiva/595819-215/alex-lopez-quieren-enviarme-a-europa a rough translation:
Is he going to Europe via FedEx or is Dom shipping him with DHL? Cause he ain't getting there any other way
why not! but seriously, the game against LA we finally saw what Bruin* and an effective strike partner can do + we finally got what a couple of us were asking in Barnes as CAM/withdrawn forward/playing behind Bruin. you 433-heads even got some love from Dom when Cummings came in to play (Sherrod-Bruin-Omar, yo was the first line; Driver-Barnes-Creavalle was the second). *i disagree with the entire credit for upfront effectivness being given to Sherrod. part of the reason he would find himself open is because Bruin was drawing the attention of defenders that the rookie was not. if Sherrod keeps being effective and begins to draw the attention of the league's defenders then Bruin will start getting open shots in the box.