Rapids Class VI

The Boys are Making Their Move!

Well Coach Clavijo has said it all year - you need to get hot at the right time and just make the playoffs. He may prove himself yet!

I'll be honest, I thought the playoffs were an impossibility at the end of July. I mean seriously, 10 games (one third of the season!) without a win should bury anyone. But this is MLS isn't it!

The team has taken 10 of 12 points in the last four games. With the additional poor form of KC and Columbus, the team has brought themselves back to the surface. Now it's time to sink or swim.

The playoffs are going to boil down to the following teams:
Colorado, Columbus, Chicago, and Kansas City. There's a chance that Toronto could get hot or NY get cold, but TFC hasn't won in 9 games and NY is 4-3 since the All-Star Game.

Colorado has the most favorable schedule with 7 games remaining. They have four games against the bottom teams in the league and play host to Chivas.

Barring a return to the dark days of June and July, the team should be able to take 10 points from these 7 games.

Kansas City is 5 points up with only 6 games left. They play host to Columbus and LA in the next three games. They're going to need 5 or 6 points from these three games because the final three are DC, @NY, and @Dallas. The next three games are going to be vital for them. Hope for a nice tie with Columbus to aid the Rapids. A Rapids LA win this weekend really puts the pressure on KC.

Columbus is in 9th but tied on points with our boys. Seven games remaining and their fate could be determined in the next four games. Two big games with teams they are in contention with, Chicago and KC, followed by two against Toronto and LA. They finish off much like KC with Dallas, @NE, @DC. They can't lose to Chicago, and they need seven points in those four games to stay healthy.

Our biggest concern, I believe, is Chicago. KC has the points in hand already and if either Colorado or Columbus don't get the job done, they're gonna be in. The Rapids have an edge on Columbus from a scheduling standpoint as well as recent form.

But Chicago is probably the favorite to sneak into the last spot. They've got Blanco and are in decent form heading down the stretch. They've also got that pesky game in hand which means the Rapids playoff fate currently isn't in their control entirely.

The good news is, however, that Chicago has the toughest schedule. One game against a cellar dwellers, and six of their eight against the top teams in the league. If they can beat Columbus and gain another seven points, this team is probably locking up 8th.

It's coming down to the wire where every result will change the picture for the Rapids. We've got as good a chance as any of the remaining teams, now we just need to keep the ball in the other team's net.

Posted by mark at September 6, 2007 11:48 AM