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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The Caps had a bye week last Saturday, but what a midweek! Vancouver’s win over Colorado was big on it’s own, but when you factor in the losses by San Jose and LA, and the draws by Real Salt Lake, Seattle and Dallas, it was huge and gave the caps a nine point cushion over the first team outwith the playoff places.
With another all-Western encounter this weekend, they need to keep it going and get some more help from the other games. Let’s take a look at what we’re looking for.
Nine games over this Saturday and Sunday. Four all-Western Conference clashes, with only one intra-conference match up and four all-Eastern ties, so five matches to keep a really close eye on.
<b><u>Chivas USA v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
Current Whitecaps Points: 29 (3rd in West)
If Whitecaps Win: 32 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, four points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 3rd, seven points behind leaders)
If Whitecaps Draw: 30 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
If Whitecaps Lose: 29 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
Maximum Points Total Possible: 80
Projected Points Total On Current Results: 58 points
Playoff Likelihood: 91 - 94%
<b><u>Sporting KC v Houston Dynamo</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
All eastern clash. No real interest or impact on Caps playoff hopes.
<b><u>Real Salt Lake v Portland Timbers</u> - Draw</b>
Another draw for the struggling Saltines (winless in four now) would be just what the tree doctor ordered in this Western family affair. It would allow the Caps to close the gap on RSL to just one point, with two games in hand, whilst dealing another blow to Portland’s playoff hopes.
<b><u>Dallas v San Jose Earthquakes</u> - San Jose win</b>
This may surprise some of you, cheering for a San Jose win, but let’s be honest here, the Earthquakes look almost certainties for the playoffs, so we may as well look for them to deal another blow to the West’s basement dwellers, just in case they actually string a run together at some point this season. A draw would be fine too though. Ask me on another day and that might be my BCS! Hell, even a Dallas win might be.
<b><u>Seattle Sounders v Colorado Rapids</u> - Draw</b>
Seattle are so far out of their groove they're trying to track down Stella for advice. Now sitting at nine MLS games without a win, they are also in danger of being in a battle for the final playoff spot(s). Let’s keep it that way and keep them nicely behind us. We don’t want the Rapids getting too many points either, as they try and chase down the Caps, but we have enough of a lead over them to let them have one this time.
<b><u>Chicago Fire v Los Angeles Galaxy</u> - Chicago win</b>
We want to see this fire out of control and burning this city, burning this city of angels (one for Franz Ferdinand fans there). Kick ‘em hard. Keep them down. And keep the points in Chi-town, in the first of Sunday’s matches. And do it hard and dirty enough that you have some players injured and suspended for next Saturday's meeting with the Caps.
<b><u>Philadelphia Union v Toronto</u> - Toronto win</b>
This ‘Battle of the Bad’ would normally have seen us as Union men through and through, but now we have to cross that picket line and wear scabby red to cheer on the FC’s. Why? Well we need Philly to be downright bad and finish as the worst in MLS, or as near as possible, to get the number one SuperDraft pick next year. Down with the Union, but take some TFC players with you for next Wednesday’s game.
<b><u>New England Revolution v New York Red Bulls</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
Another all eastern clash where we have no real interest who wins, or in any other aspect of this match.
<b><u>Montreal Impact v Columbus Crew</u> - No impact on Caps, but Columbus win</b>
Another all eastern clash where we have no real interest who wins apart form hating Montreal and wanting to see what will end up lower – their points total or their home attendances. Crew for the win.
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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