Alright, we have a beautiful finish for the year. Two games left and the leaders from each conference are even on points and goal difference. (50 pts, 13+ goal difference) Chicago and San Jose are going to the finish. Chicago v. Colorado 2003 Chi/Col History: Chicago has won 1, tied 1, and lost none against Colorado. The game Chicago won was at home and they won by a margin of 4-0. However, it should be seriously noted that Colorado was then winless and had only 1pt to their name. Since then, the team has turned itself around and become serious contenders for the MLS cup itself. The game drawn was played at Colorado and was a tempered game with 5 yellow cards and 1 red card shown. (3 yellows and a red to Colorado with 2 yellows to Chicago.) The man advantage forced Colorado to play slightly more conservatively, however, their goal came nearly 15 minutes after the ejection. These are two of the top teams in MLS playing each other and while Colorado doesn't have too much motivation, they are in awesome form and will probably want to keep it that way so they will have momentum going into the playoffs. A coin flip can determine this game. @. Columbus 2003 Chi/Clb History: Chicago has won 1, tied 2, and lost none to Columbus this year. Scores have been an away score of 2-2, a home score of 1-1, and a home score of 2-0. Four different players have scored for Chicago, the only to put up more than one goal is Ante Razov, and one of his goals came from a Penalty Kick. Two of Columbus' three goals came from power forward Edson Buddle. The biggest factor in this match will be the match happening today in DC vs. Columbus. If Colombus manages to win 3 points against DC, they will be gunning for a win in this game to secure a playoff spot in hopes of a DC loss. If DC doesn't secure a point today, expect for Columbus to throw everything at the Chicago fire and pull away with a win. San Jose @. Los Angeles v. Los Angeles 2003 SJ/LA History: San Jose has won 1, tied 1, and lost none against LA this year. The home and away ratio is equal. The home game ended in a 1-0 win for San Jose, and the away game ended in a 1-1 draw. In the draw, San Jose were out done with Shots on Goal by a margin of 11 to 4. Both games' results are determined by hardnose defense. (In San Jose's win, the lone goal came from a Penalty Kick. Man of the Match in the draw was a defender.) A total of 76 fouls have been committed between the two games, with fouls being about equally distributed. LA has no major motivation to do well in either of these matches since they are already locked for the playoffs, but can't improve their playoff position due to Kansas City's 6 point lead over them on the table (if Kansas draws or better in either of their next games that is....) So who comes away with the Supporter's Shield? And a question... what happens if teams are even on points at the end of the season...? Is it goal difference or head to head record?
A simple trip to MLSnet will explain tiebreaking procedure: http://www.mlsnet.com/about/regulations/ (halfway down, under "TEAM-STANDINGS AND TIE-BREAKING PROCEDURES") We own the tie-break (1-2-0). For once, we're hoping the Gals get a result somewhere.
[R] Correct me if I'm wrong, but it looks like Chicago Fire are 45 minutes away from having the Supporter's Shield handed to them.