Every week we bring you our look at the upcoming games that weekend and what we hope to see from those to benefit the Caps to the max, along with what impact the different results from the Whitecaps own match has to our playoff hopes.
For some background to our feature, see <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3099-Schedule-Dynamics-Adding-Interest-To-MLS-Season" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
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Last weekend saw a good BCS return for the Caps of 60%, hugely assisted by their own win over Colorado to move up to third in the West.
A mixed bag of midweek results (20% BCS), but the Caps still sit third and now have a nice eight point cushion to sixth place.
This weekend they face what is possibly a resurgent Los Angeles Galaxy side, who at the very least have their confidence back after two consecutive wins. The gap between the sides is currently nine. Make that twelve and you’re looking at a huge advantage for the second half of the season. Cut it to six and then the Galaxy are right back in the playoff mix and breathing space has just been snuffed out.
But what are the <i>”Best Case Scenarios”</i> we’re hoping to see in the rest of the week 16 games this weekend?
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Nine games are being played over Saturday and Sunday and every one is an intra-conference clash, five eastern and four western. So only four matches to keep a really close eye on, including our own.
<b><u>Los Angeles Galaxy v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
Current Whitecaps Points: 26 (3rd in West)
If Whitecaps Win: 29 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, four points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, nine points behind leaders)
If Whitecaps Draw: 27 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
If Whitecaps Lose: 26 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
Maximum Points Total Possible: 83
Projected Points Total On Current Results: 56 - 59 points
Playoff Likelihood: 88%
<b><u>Toronto v New England Revolution</u>
<u>Philadelphia Union v Sporting Kansas City</u>
<u>Montreal Impact v Houston Dynamo</u>
<u>Chicago Fire v Columbus Crew</u>
- four all-eastern clashes with no impact or interest to Caps</b>
<b><u>Real Salt Lake v San Jose Earthquakes</u> - Draw</b>
Huge game between the top two in the West. They’ve been out in front early and haven’t shown too many signs that that is going to change any time soon. With so much of the season left to go, we need to keep our friends close and our enemies closer. At some point, it’s going to be good for the Caps if one team starts to beat all comers and takes points of our playoff rivals, but for now it has to be a draw that we’re cheering for.
<b><u>Dallas v Chivas</u> - Draw</b>
Dallas have been very poor and Chivas are continuing to surprise. There’s still enough time for either team to put a run together that could threaten the Caps, so both of them losing points on Saturday is ideal for now. A Dallas win wouldn’t exactly break my heart right now either mind you. They haven’t won in ten games so I wouldn’t go putting money on that outcome!
<b><u>Portland Timbers v Seattle Sounders</u> - Portland win for playoffs, draw for Cascadia Cup</b>
The first Cascadian derby of the season not to involve the Caps! You never really want to see either of these teams win, so it’s a tough one. Portland are an absolute shambles at the moment and the least likely threat to the Caps playoff hopes, so a win for the Timbers wouldn’t be too bad and would keep Seattle below us for sure. On the other hand, a draw would help the Caps in their quest for the Cascadia Cup. Playoffs are the more important factor though, so it’s Timbers for us.
<b><u>New York Red Bulls v D.C. United</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
The other Sunday game is an all-eastern clash with no impact on the Caps playoff wise, but could be an interesting battle between two of the top sides out east.
So that’s what we’re rooting for this weekend. Let’s see how it all leaves the Caps looking come Sunday evening.
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