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 the Caps game was the only one in MLS and the win saw Vancouver move into 4th in the West and open up a seven point cushion on that last playoff spot.
This weekend sees possibly the Whitecaps' most important League match of the season to date, with their nearest playoff contenders, Colorado Rapids, coming to visit. Three points separate the two sides, but if the Caps can turn that to six by Saturday evening, that would be huge, even at this early stage of the season.
But what are the <i>”Best Case Scenarios”</i> we’re hoping to see in the rest of the week 15 games this weekend?
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Nine games are being played over Saturday and Sunday. Three all-Western Conference clashes, only two inter-conference match ups and four all-Eastern ties, so five matches to keep a really close eye on, including our own.
<b><u>Vancouver Whitecaps v Colorado Rapids</u></b>
Current Whitecaps Points: 22 (4th in West)
If Whitecaps Win: 25 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, four points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, seven points behind leaders)
If Whitecaps Draw: 23 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 4th)
If Whitecaps Lose: 22 points (BCS = 5th / WCS = 5th)
Maximum Points Total Possible: 85
Projected Points Total On Current Results: 56 - 57 points
Playoff Likelihood: 81%
<b><u>Philadelphia Union v DC United</u> - No interest to Caps</b>
One of four all-eastern games this weekend. No impact on Caps.
<b><u>Montreal Impact v Seattle Sounders</u> - Montreal win</b>
If the Impact can have a winning start in their stadium re-opening then the Caps have an opportunity to jump into third in the West. Let's hope their strong home form continues.
<b><u>New England Revolution v Columbus Crew</u> - No interest to Caps</b>
This all-eastern clash has no interest to Caps fans, nor would I think to that many others around the League.
<b><u>Houston Dynamo v Dallas</u> - Houston win</b>
The Texan derby, which still baffles me as to how it's an inter-conference match-up. A depleted Houston looked poor last weekend, but hopefully the return of their key defensive personnel will also see a return to winning ways and keep Dallas at least nine points behind the Caps and hopefully twelve.
<b><u>Sporting KC v Toronto</u> - No interest to Caps</b>
The fun of seeing Toronto lose never gets old, but with Winter gone and their first win recorded, it's all getting a bit meh now. Still want to see a KC win of course in this all-eastern clash.
<b><u>Chivas v Real Salt Lake</u> - Draw (Chivas win a close second)</b>
Every week Chivas give us this problem when it comes to an all-western game. We don't want to see any Western teams getting wins quite yet, so a draw should be the best result, but looking long term, keeping as many points away from teams like RSL as possible is always important. Wouldn't be too upset with a draw or a win for the Goats.
<b><u>Chicago Fire v New York Red Bulls</u> - No impact on Caps playoff hopes but plenty of interest</b>
This all-eastern Sunday game has no impact on the Caps playoff hopes but with New York coming to Vancouver just three days later, it does hold some interest. We could do with NY picking up some knocks to keep players out of travelling. Dax McCarty is one yellow away from suspension. A yellow to him and some reds to his team-mates would make for a happy Fathers Day.
<b><u>Los Angeles Galaxy v Portland Timbers</u> - Draw</b>
The weekend rounds off on Sunday with a game between two Western strugglers. A draw would be excellent and keep both teams down at the bottom and a good distance away from the Caps. A win for either side could prove to be important going into the final stretch. You never know.
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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