For some, this 3pm kick (tv: KSMO) will conflict with the noon kickoff at Arrowhead. Cbus is the last team to beat us (back on 7/28). Cbus is currently in sixth place in the "weaker" East, one point and 5 GF behind Houston. Cbus are only 10 points behind SKC, yet do not currently occupy a playoff position, which is crazy. If they were in the "stronger" West, they'd comfortably be in a playoff spot. Cbus are L-L-W-L-W in their last five, and have DCU and TFC remaining... so you can draw your own conclusions about their prospects. As for us, NYRB and Chicago remain on our arse. While 3 pts may not be a necessity, if SKC really want to be the best, I think you win this game.
Completely off topic, but when did ESPN get such detailed stats? The team, player, and league stats are really nice and they even have historical stats. I've always written off ESPN's MLS stats in the past but now....
Chicago plays twice before we play Columbus, New York plays once (against Chicago), and DC plays once. We could possibly have a top 3 spot clinched by the time we take the field, and could be close to a top 2 depending on results.
This may be the place our streak ends. It just feels like a place for dropped points. If we win, I feel like the east is ours. One more good win on the road and I feel really good about our chances no matter where we play.
A lot has changed since I walked into Crew Stadium in July, loaded on Crew Aid and Stroh's, eating the very last $1 brat in the stadium, and Teal and I shutting Nordecke up for the night. The arrival of Higuain and Arrieta changed everything for them. They are gonna ride a lot of momentum from Saturday night's undeserved victory as well. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND! SKC 3-1 , Zusi FK goal, Kei header on corner, and for shiz and gigglez, LEAPIN' LARRY with some freak goal from 75 yards out. Zusi with 2 assists too.
SKC can actually clinch first place with a win at Columbus on Sunday if Chicago loses to Philadelphia tomorrow and draws at New York on Saturday.
If we hadn't gifted them the two goals, I would agree... I was just really annoyed at that match at LSP - we got exactly what we wanted with the early goal, only to invite them to wander into our penalty area for the first goal and then pass it to them for the second goal. Also, there was the whole suck one/two/three thing: http://deadspin.com/5929929/mls-players-to-drunken-rival-fan-suck-one-suck-two-suck-three-suck-four
I'm already planning on the Chiefs shitting the bed by halftime so I can leave Arrowhead early and head to Johnny's for this game.
Danny O'Rourke is suspended due to accumulation. He has started 17, and appeared in 20 games this season, mostly holding mid I believe. Cbus injury list appears to have many holding players nicked: COLUMBUS CREW -- OUT: FW Tommy Heinemann (L knee surgery); GK William Hesmer (R hip surgery); MF Bernardo Anor (L knee ACL tear); DOUBTFUL: DF Carlos Mendes (R hamstring strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Danny O'Rourke (L ankle sprain); DF Rich Balchan (R thigh contusion); PROBABLE: MF Dilly Duka (R calf contusion)
Well, Philly just did their part 3-1 over Chicago. Now a Chi-NY draw on Saturday would put our guys in a position to clinch the East on Sunday with 2 to play.
Way to go, Union! Even if Chicago or New York wins their match-up on Saturday, SKC can now clinch a top-2 spot with a win over Columbus on Sunday.
Big weekend for my teams in CBus. Huskers play tOSU Saturday night at the Horseshoe and SKC v tCrew on Sunday afternoon.
Today's results make our game that much bigger, especially for us to keep the lead. Thank goodness Philly won on Wednesday.
The only good news yesterday was Houston's draw with Montreal, which ensures that SKC will end up no worse than fourth place and thus will host at least one playoff game. A win over Columbus this afternoon would clinch a top-two finish and home-field "advantage" (second leg) for the conference semifinals.
Maybe today we can put 15 in the net and cut the tiebreaker with sj in half in case they slip up on points.
Cal and Jake appear to be in the studio in KC. Somebody need to flip the switch on the crowd noise mics.