The 2013 Table - Magic Numbers, Tragic Numbers & Other Fishy Figures [R]

I thought someone did an analysis in the last couple of years of games played and final season finish which showed that teams who play a higher number of official matches usually fare worse in the table.

 

It wasn't that they performed worse in the table, it's that they fared worse in the playoffs. The #1 indicator of which team would win the first round playoff series was the team with the fewest games.. I think the Galaxy have destroyed that measure in the last few seasons though.

 

Thanks for the correction.

 

So basically, if Montreal manages to take the Supporters Shield it will have been nothing short of epic given the kind of schedule they have for the next 2 months.

 

There was a good analysis showing that teams who played many games did badly in the playoffs. I don't know if it's been looked at for late regular season games. But, which position would you rather be in? One in which you averaged a bit over 4 days of rest between games or one in which you had nearly twice as much rest?

 

Depends what you mean by momentum.. The analysis that was put out also looked at run of form and number of games was still more important.

 

Ahhhh. I thought we were talking about playoffs still. In that case, you are correct. I know for the Sounders the players got used to the grind and tended to go on end of season runs once CCL started up.

 

The way things are going, Friday's RSL@SEA match may be, uh, dispositive with respect to the shield.

Thanks again to Knave for keeping this thread up to date. I hope the points tomorrow's "Knave Bowl" are a soothing balm.

 

It's going to take an Act of Madoka for anybody to catch RSL in the Shield race.

 

Even if Seattle lose to RSL they could still catch them due to the games in hand. If Seattle beat RSL, then they take over first with games in hand.
(I am responding with no clue as to who or what Madoka is)

 

It's my definition for an Act of God.

 

I'm an RSL fan and I find this statement bizarre. Look, RSL plays at Seattle on Friday. There are 2 points separating the teams with Seattle having 2 games in hand. Games in hand are not gold, automatic advancement, etc. They are simply opportunity. While nobody should think they are worth 3 points each, they are also not worthless. Estimating them to be worth the team's PPG pace is pretty reasonable.

Friday's game is definitely determinative relative to RSL's and Sounders' pursuit of the SS. RSL wins, and they have 5 point lead with Sounders having 2 games in hand. Sounders will need to play better than 2 points/game to catch RSL. Draw and things remain as they stand. Sounders win and it is very bad for RSL, as mentioned above. Sounders will have a one point lead and 2 games in hand.

Winner of RSL-SEA is in the catbird seat.

 

I've checked, nothing situational in play re: chivas elimination right now. Basically, if they win, they're still in, no matter what the San Jose result. But it is quite close. I think it requires Colorado and LA to advance. Anyways, it will be nice to see the second official elimination.

 

Bing.

 

If I'm proven wrong, so be it because the higher being of hope said so. But right now, my guys won't catch your guys with the way we played last night.