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.
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 week's games produced a mixed bag or results, which we'll give a <i>BCS</i> success rate of 50%.
The Caps won last Saturday at home to Dallas, and moved up to third in the West and fourth overall in MLS. They face an inter-conference clash this weekend in Columbus, but what are the <i>”Best Case Scenarios”</i> we’re hoping to see in the rest of the week 8 games?
Nine games this weekend, all on Saturday. Two all-Western Conference clashes, five inter-conference match ups and two all-Eastern ties, so seven matches this time to keep a really close eye on, including our own.
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<b><u>Columbus Crew v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
Current Whitecaps Points: 11 (3rd in West)
If Whitecaps Win: 14 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, two points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, five points behind leaders)
If Whitecaps Draw: 12 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 6th)
If Whitecaps Lose: 11 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 6th)
Maximum Points Total Possible: 92
Projected Points Total On Current Results: 52 - 53
Playoff Likelihood: 61%
<b><u>Montreal Impact v Portland Timbers</u> - Montreal win</b>
Our Canadian rivals v our Cascadian ones. Really? We have to pick someone we want to win this? Have to go with the eastern Impact to do us a favour and keep the Timbers rooted to the bottom of the West. A second win of the season for the Impact would also set them up nicely confidence-wise for next week's Voyageurs Cup game against Toronto. If they can win that, the Caps are looking at home field advantage in the second leg of the final.
<b><u>New York Red Bulls v New England Revolution</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
One of just two all-eastern clashes this week. No impact on Caps. Always nice to see dirty NY lose though.
<b><u>Philadelphia Union v San Jose Earthquakes</u> - Philadelphia win</b>
East v West, so we have go with our feeder team down in Philly to do us a favour. With San Jose making the trip to BC place next Saturday, some suspensions and injuries to the Earthquakes would be the icing on the cake. Any points dropped by San Jose will be a bonus and keep them pegged back a little at the top of the table. Can't afford any team to start running away with anything right now.
<b><u>DC United v Houston Dynamo</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
The other all-eastern clash, so no real interest in what happens here.
<b><u>Chicago Fire v Seattle Sounders</u> - Chicago win</b>
Another East v West battle. Those pesky Sounders are sitting just a point behind the Caps with three games in hand. We need to start putting a little bit of daylight between us early. Let's hope Chicago really will be on fire for this one.
<b><u>Colorado Rapids v Chivas</u> - Draw</b>
The first of the all-western games. Both teams are sitting two points behind the Caps right now. A draw would keep them both below us, no matter what we do in Columbus. If we come home with a draw or defeat in Ohio, a win for either side will likely see them leapfrog us. If someone has to win this one, we have to look at the long term prospects and say that a Chivas victory won't be the end of the world.
<b><u>Real Salt Lake v Toronto</u> - Toronto win</b>
West v East. RSL sit joint top of the West and five points ahead of the Caps. Reel Real in now. It's always hard to cheer for a Toronto win, and their form and injuries don't look like giving us one. Still, I'm going to say that a TFC win is the BCS for the Caps. Not sure I can root for one though and it would spoil what I have lined up for later!
<b><u>LA Galaxy v Dallas</u> - Draw (just - LA win very close second)</b>
The second all-western clash. Dallas are level on points with Vancouver, so if they go one better than what the Caps achieve against the Crew, they'll go above us in the table. Even both teams winning or losing could see the Texans go above us on goal difference, although unlikely. I'm going for the draw as the BCS here, but with the Galaxy finding their stride, they're going to start to climb the table no matter what, so it's perhaps even better to cheer for a LA win and keep Dallas behind us.
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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