2002 MLS WPL Prediction Thread #29 (with table) (August 10)

MLS WPL Table for games through July 20, 2002.

This week was challenging. There were nine games, with one blowout, so
there were 28 points available. Only two people got more than 50% of
that total. The median score for our 39 participants was 9.

The Weekly Cup - DenverFan1, who only a few weeks ago threatened to
boycott the WPL because of the technical problems that have plagued this
year's competition, had another strong week to finish second in the Weekly
Cup. Fanaddict and soccertom continued strong late-season surges to
finish in a tie for 3rd.

<BIG><PRE>
1. jlo 17.5
2. DenverFan1 14.5
3. Fanaddict, soccertom 13
5. dred, goyette82, JBlazini24 12.5
8. Jose L. Couso 12
9. empennage, SocrStopr13, Up The Metro 10.5
</BIG></PRE>
.
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The First Division - In the most exciting stretch run in the history of
the WPL, empennage and IASocFan have been joined by two other posters in
a four-way battle for the championship. This week the mercurial
DenverFan1 takes over the top spot with a strong performance. Only 2.5
points, less than a single game, separate first from fourth, and there is
a 13 point gap separating the top four from the field. Our champion could
still come from farther down the table, and soccertom in particular has
shown what he is made of over the years, but anyone below 4th has his work
cut out for him.

5 of our top 7 finished in this week's cup. Apparently the stretch run is
bringing out everyone's best. We've already discussed DenverFan1's
relentless drive to the top. empennage continues a strong campaign, as
well, although he has (at least temporarily) relinquished the top spot.
soccertom has rebounded well from a slow start and continues to surge up
the table. dred seems to be fully recovered from a recent dry spell.
Fanaddict and JBlazini continue their recent string of successes.

tolbuck and whirlwind were promoted to the First Division this week, as
the revolving door in the relegation zone continues to spin new posters
into the mix.
.
<BIG><PRE>
1 (3) DenverFan1 14.5 118.5
2 (4) jlo 17.5 117.5
3 (1) empennage 10.5 117
4 (2) IASocFan 10 116
5 (9) soccertom 13 103
5 (6) The Perfesser 10 103
7 (8) dred 12.5 102.5
7 (6) Northside Rovers 9.5 102.5
9 (5) scaryice 7 100.5
10 (11) Hal 10 97.5
11 (10) sljohn 4.5 94
12 (16) Fanaddict 13 92.5
13 (13) FlashMan 9 92
13 (14) hornonmyankle 9.5 92
13 (16) JBlazini24 12.5 92
16 (20) babytiger2001 9 86.5
17 (18) Scribe and Son 6.5 85.5
18 (12) MetroFanCP 0 83.5
18 (21) tolbuck 9 83.5
20 (22) Whirlwind 8.5 82.5
</BIG></PRE>
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.
The Second Division - NNC Red appears poised to reclaim a spot in the
First Division. SocrStopr13, our co-leader after Week 2, has put that
clash with soccertom behind and has been quietly moving up the table
in recent weeks, apparently recovered from the problems that plagued
the middle part of the season. Up The Metro and goyette82 had good weeks
to move up to the middle of the pack.

<BIG><PRE>
21 (22) NNCRed 8 82
22 (24) SocrStopr13 10.5 81
23 (15) Alf 0 80.5
24 (19) Port Qaz - 78.5
25 (26) MadSirAlexxx 6.5 76.5
25 (27) quicksand 8 76.5
27 (30) Jacen McCullough 10 74.5
28 (31) NateP 9.5 73.5
29 (29) MajikMouse 7.5 72.5
30 (28) Out of Touch 5 71.5
30 (33) Up The Metro 10.5 71.5
32 (35) goyette82 12.5 71
33 (24) guinho - 70.5
34 (32) WildKitten 5 67.5
35 (36) LMoroney 7.5 64
36 (38) dawgpound2 9.5 63
36 (34) encinitas 2.5 63
38 (37) goatnutsgoal 6 60
39 (39) deimos 4 50.5
40 (40) themrs. - 46
</BIG></PRE>
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Lower Divisions - Only two active posters in the lower divisions this
week. Joker20 is now only a single point from promotion to the Second
Division. Jose L. Couso continues an impressive late-season showing, and
is rising quickly through the lower divisions. Another cup appearance has
moved Jose up to the middle of the Third Division.
.
<BIG><PRE>
41 (43) joker20 2 45
51 (57) Jose L. Couso 12 32.5
</BIG></PRE>
...
...
...
Honor Roll:

2002 Weekly Cup Winners:

2 Cups: DenverFan1 (6; 15); dred (12; 14); empennage (10; 16)

1 Cup:

Hal (Week 1), IASocFan (2), kennytt (2), Fanaddict (3), encinitas (4),
Northside Rovers (4), The Perfesser (5), NateP (6), scaryice (7),
Ffan (8), NNCRed (9), guinho (10), tolbuck (10), MetroFanCP (13),
WildKitten (17), JBlazini24 (18), jlo(19)

2002 Standings Leaders:
Week 10-15, 17: IASocFan
Week 5-9: The Perfesser
Week 2-4: Scribe
Week 16, 18: empennage
Week 19: DenverFan1
Week 2: socrstopr13
Week 1: Hal

 

These games will be played on August 10, after the All-Star break:

Dal : Chi
DC : KC
Col : Clb
LA : NE

 

Can a moderator explain why my codes didn't work, and perhaps fix them for me? Thanks.

 

IASocFan, it's too soon for the blue faces. I expect this to be a dogfight to the bitter end of the season. Good luck to you, and to all of my adversaries. May you all experience the bittersweet pain of an honorable defeat.