Seattle’s late equaliser at the Robertson Stadium could be vital in an increasingly tightening race for a play-off place. Sounders sit sixth in the USA wide table and would currently make the play-offs, but that is a hypothetical position, as all the sides behind them, and New England especially have games in hand.
Sounders next game is at home to Toronto and the table reveals just how crucial this match will be for both sides, but especially Seattle who have less games left and who are at home.
The next MLS game is this Wednesday when Real Salt Lake host Chivas USA. RSL need to win their home games now to stay attached to the post -season hunt, while Chivas have now won their last two. Another victory for the Goats will lift them into second place in the Western Conference above their local rivals the LA Galaxy. That will especially useful if it comes this Saturday when the two Los Angeles sides meet. In addition, Chivas are only seven points behind leaders Houston with four games in hand, and suddenly the race for those two automatic play-off slots seems a three horse race, and the Sounders are not one of the horses.
New England won again at the weekend and with a home game against San Jose to come, a third win looks likely and would propel them into the top eight, with those games in hand still in their metaphorical pocket. If 45 points is the number needed for a play off place, the Revs need less points per game than three of the sides currently above them.
In other matches, Sounders now have a vested interest. Here are our best outcomes for Seattle. San Jose are out of it, so anything they can pick up against anyone is useful for Seattle. Chicago look good to finish top two in the Eastern Conference. Let them pile up points and deprive those competing with Sounders for a wild card. Kansas City can seriously dent Real Salt Lake’s lingering ambitions and reduce the number of potential rivals for those vital last few places.
The LA derby looks relevant to Seattle but may be less so than it seems. We’d lean towards Chivas taking the points from their spare games and hoping LA combust completely, but in all reality, both will finish ahead of Seattle. But in case LA do decide to implode, let’s support the Goats.
For Sunday, it’s easier. Cheer on Houston to dent Colorado’s wildcard hopes and New York are pretty much safe to support in every game.
Wednesday, August 26
Real Salt Lake v Chivas USA
Saturday, August 29
Seattle Sounders FC v Toronto FC
New England Revolution v San Jose Earthquakes
Chicago Fire v DC United
Kansas City Wizards v Real Salt Lake
Los Angeles Galaxy v Chivas USA
Sunday, August 30
Colorado Rapids v Houston
USA League Table
| GP | W | D | L | PTS | GD | ||
| 1 | Houston Dynamo (W1) | 24 | 11 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 10 |
| 2 | Columbus Crew (E1) | 22 | 10 | 9 | 3 | 39 | 10 |
| 3 | Chicago Fire (E2) | 23 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 38 | 6 |
| 4 | LA Galaxy (W2) | 23 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 35 | 4 |
| 5 | Chivas USA | 20 | 10 | 3 | 7 | 33 | 4 |
| 6 | Seattle Sounders | 23 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 33 | 6 |
| 7 | Colorado Rapids | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 30 | 7 |
| 8 | Toronto FC | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 30 | -3 |
| 9 | New England Revs | 20 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 30 | -1 |
| 10 | DC United | 22 | 6 | 11 | 5 | 29 | 0 |
| 11 | Real Salt Lake | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 27 | 3 |
| 12 | FC Dallas | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 23 | -4 |
| 13 | Kansas City Wizards | 20 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 21 | -8 |
| 14 | San Jose Earthquakes | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 20 | -12 |
| 15 | Red Bull New York | 23 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 13 | -22 |
3 Comments
Comments for Weekend Results Tighten Play-off Race are now closed.
August 24, 2009 at 11:29 am
Thanks, I love the nationwide table. The league should really merge divisions. It works wonderfully in other countries. Then again, I dream of promotion/relegation in the US one day.
Doesn’t look good for Seattle…
August 24, 2009 at 11:50 am
Its pretty simple for the Sounders, really: Don’t drop any more points at home! They have 9 for the taking over their last 7 matches, and if they accomplish that, I think they will be fine. Three more are there for the taking on Oct. 17th against lowly K.C. (plus an element of revenge!) and that gets us to the magic 45. Not necessarily easy, but not an absurd expectation either!
August 24, 2009 at 8:35 pm
The sounders destiny is in their own hands, take the three at home, take out Dallas and KC, and draw one and they should be in comfortably. THey just have to play like a championship side and earn it!
August 26, 2009 at 11:37 pm
[...] currently sits on 30 points, and Seattle has the slight edge at 33. For a great synopsis, check out Prost Amerika’s [...]