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.
The Caps aren’t in action until midweek, so let’s have a look at the Week 6 games that are to be played and what <i>”Best Case Scenario”</i> we’re hoping to see in each…..
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Last week, the Caps did more damage to their playoff hopes than anyone else. In the other four matches that mattered we had a <i>BCS</i> success rate of 62.5%.
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Nine games this weekend. Only two all-Western Conference clashes, with four intra-conference match ups and three all-Eastern ties, so six matches to keep a really close eye on.
<b><u>Philadelphia Union v Columbus Crew</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
All eastern clash. No real interest or impact on Caps playoff hopes.
<b><u>New England Revolution v D.C. United</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
Another all eastern clash where we have no real interest who wins.
<b><u>Seattle Sounders v Colorado Rapids</u> - Draw</b>
As much as we want Seattle to lose every match, a draw is the best result for the Caps in this early stage of proceedings. A Seattle win wouldn’t be all that bad if we’re being honest, as Colorado may end up in a crucial points battle with Vancouver as the season wears on. Seattle, you would have to expect to be in the playoff mix.
<b><u>Toronto v Chivas USA</u> - Chivas win</b>
East v West, so normally we would have to root for a TFC victory here. We pretty much want all the eastern teams to take points off our western rivals after all at this stage.
In this case you do have to consider just how funny it would be to see TFC languishing winless after five games and then just sit back and watch their fans explode in anger on message boards and twitter. It could also help us in the long run in the Voyageurs Cup if their spirit is well and truly crushed!
Chivas shouldn’t be anywhere near the playoffs, so maybe, just maybe, we can cheer for a western victory this one time!
<b><u>New York Red Bulls v San Jose Earthquakes</u> - New York win</b>
Real Salt Lake are already opening up a gap at the top of the west. We can’t have San Jose joining them. The more teams that start to run away with things, the harder it will be for the Caps to try and reel them in, with less playoff places becoming available as a result. Have to root for a New York win all the way.
<b><u>Dallas v Montreal Impact</u> - Montreal win</b>
Another East v West match up and this time around, we have to cheer on the eastern team. Dallas are another side who could be battling the Caps right down to the wire, with every point counting and proving crucial by the end of the season.
<b><u>Sporting Kansas City v Real Salt Lake</u> - Kansas City win</b>
East v West again, as the two Conference leaders clash. Someone needs to knock Salt Lake out of their stride and I see Kansas City as being just that very team. The ultimate BCS for Vancouver would be a KC win, whilst picking up some suspensions and injuries before the Caps face them on Wednesday at BC Place.
<b><u>Los Angeles Galaxy v Portland Timbers</u> - Draw</b>
The second all-western clash of the week throws up a toughie. Like TFC, it’s funny to see LA in the bottom feeding position that they’re in. Unlike, TFC though, you have to expect them to turn things around pretty dramatically and start climbing the table.
It would still be a major surprise if LA aren’t in the top three in the West come the end of the season. Portland on the other hand, are likely to be battling with the Caps for one of the last playoff spots.
We’ll still go for the draw here, but a Los Angeles win wouldn’t exactly be the worst case scenario either, and may in fact prove to be the best one in the long run.
<b><u>Chicago Fire v Houston Dynamo</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
This all-eastern clash is the only Sunday game this week and holds no importance to the Caps playoff hopes.
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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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