We were the only team this week to get the full three points in the Eastern Conference. We sit seven points behind Chicago with a game in hand and we host DC United next week who we are currently four points ahead of. This game is critical. It could be the turning point of the season. If we beat United we pull to seven points clear of them very comfortabley in second place. Chicago'snext match is to a very hot colorado team so it is very realistic to think that we could be just three or four points out of first place with just a few games left in the season next week. This game is also huge for DC united, if they lose to us and Both Colombus and NE win DC will be in last place. I expect ol Ray hudson to pull out all the stops, and to tell Dema somebody was dissing his mother. It could be exciting.
Agreed. These three games (Today, then the two DC games) will set the stage for the playoffs. Do we go in on a roll, or limp in? Good, though not great, results so far. Current Standings Team - GP - W - L - T - Pts - GF - GA - +/- Chicago 25- 12- 6- 7- 43- 42- 33- 9 MetroStars 24 - 10- 7- 7- 37- 34- 30- 4 D.C. United 24 - 9- 9- 6- 33- 31- 29- 2 Columbus 25- 8- 10- 7- 31- 32- 34- 2 New England 25- 7- 9- 9- 30- 40- 41- (-1) Chicago Schedule Wednesday, October 1st Chicago at Colorado Saturday, October 4th Los Angeles at Chicago Friday, October 10th Columbus at Chicago Saturday, October 18th Colorado at Chicago Sunday, October 26th Chicago at Columbus So, with 5 games left they have 3 home, 2 on the road. Figure they lose to Colorado, beat LA and Columbus at home and take 4 points in their last 2 that leaves them at 53 points (15-7-8). Metro schedule: Thursday, September 25th D.C. United at MetroStars Sunday, September 28th MetroStars at D.C. United Sunday, October 5th MetroStars at San Jose Saturday, October 11th Dallas at MetroStars Saturday, October 18th New England at MetroStars Saturday, October 25th MetroStars at New England So, we beat DC twice, lose to San Jose, beat Dallas and split with New England. We'd be on 49 points, 4 back (14-9-7) plus down the season series. That's about how I see the season ending. If we take our first round playoff opponent, likely DC, then it's off to Chicago. Not an easy road, but you have to beat them sometime.
IF you put importance in coming in 1st(which really doesnt matter) then EVERY week is important from here on out, not just next.
While momentum and health are critical, with the new playoff system there is literally no difference between finishing second in the conference and third. So the DC game is probably a little less critical (in pure playoff positioning terms) than it would have been in previous years. Whether we finish second or third, we have a two-game home-and-home with DC; if we win that, no matter whether we finished the season in second or third, we play a one-game semifinal, at Chicago if they win their first round matchup, or home to the Crew or Revs if they win.