Every week we’re going to 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.
So let’s have a look at the Week 19 games that are to be played and what <i>”Best Case Scenario”</i> we’re hoping to see in each…..
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It hasn’t been the best week for the Caps playoff hopes with their own results never mind anyone elses.
Taking one point from six on the road isn’t the worst you’ll ever see, but when it was two games against weaker opposition that the Caps could have won, it’s disappointing.
As was last weekend's BCS success rate of just 20%.
The Caps face their last game against Eastern Conference opposition until the MLS Cup final this weekend. Getting anything from this game after a long road trip would be fantastic.
But what are we needing to see from the other nine MLS games over this Saturday and Sunday? Three all-Western Conference clashes, two one intra-conference match ups (including the Caps game) 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: 30 (4th in West)
If Whitecaps Win: 33 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, five points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, seven points behind leaders)
If Whitecaps Draw: 31 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
If Whitecaps Lose: 30 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 4th)
Maximum Points Total Possible: 75
Projected Points Total On Current Results: 54 - 55 points
Playoff Likelihood: 91%
<b><u>Philadelphia Union v Montreal Impact</u> - Montreal win</b>
With apologies to our friends in Philadelphia, we need the Union to flop and finish as close to worst in MLS as possible in order for the Caps to secure the best SuperDraft pick we can next year from their traded spot. Dallas are making this hard for us by being so crap, so let’s hope that Montreal can do us a big favour on Saturday and open up a seven point gap over them.
<b><u>New England Revolution v Toronto</u> - Toronto win</b>
All eastern clash with no interest or impact on Caps playoff hopes. That said, as outlined above we need to have Toronto close in on Philadelphia to try and send them to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It sticks in my throat, but come on the FC’s.
<b><u>Columbus Crew v Sporting KC</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
The third of the all-eastern ties and who really cares what happens in this one?!
<b><u>Colorado Rapids v Dallas</u> - Dallas win</b>
The first all-western match-up of the weekend. Winless in 13 games, Dallas are in the worst form in MLS right now and barring an amazing second half of the season turnaround, look to be out of the playoff race. Picking up a point or three at Colorado would help bolster the Caps cushion over the Rapids. It’s looking unlikely, they haven’t managed to win a game since April 14th, and haven’t won away from home at all this season, but we can hope.
<b><u>San Jose Earthquakes v Real Salt Lake</u> - Draw</b>
The match of the weekend. With just a point separating the top two in the West (and the top two teams in MLS as a whole), a share of the spoils in San Jose would give the Caps, and the rest in the chasing pack, a huge boost. RSL seem to be coming out of their slump, with San Jose perhaps about to enter one. If a team has to win this, then it would be better for the Caps for it to be San Jose. An Earthquakes win and a Caps win, would leave Vancouver just three points behind the Saltines with a game in hand.
<b><u>Portland Timbers v Los Angeles Galaxy</u> - Draw</b>
Both the 5th placed Galaxy and the 8th placed Timbers still have a realistic shot at claiming a playoff spot if they can put together a decent run of results. A draw isn’t much help to either side right now, but they would rather take a point than end up with none. The Caps meet the Galaxy midweek, so a nice feisty affair with some LA suspensions and injuries at the end of it would do us just nicely.
<b><u>New York Red Bulls v Seattle Sounders</u> - New York win</b>
One point from the last six has seen Vancouver passed for third spot once again by Seattle, who are now level on points with the Caps and have a five goal advantage. A sound thumping from New York would help Vancouver, as long as they can also help themselves. Are Seattle coming out of their slump? It would be bad news for the Caps if they are, but this game will be a good indication as to whether this is indeed the case.
<b><u>Houston Dynamo v DC United</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
All-eastern clash and not a very exciting one at that.
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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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