October 13, 2008
Playoff Picture
Well, the Rapids did themselves no favor in Los Angles. They needed a result, instead they got schooled. So we're down to two games with no teams being eliminated from contention yet:
Colorado, with 34 points, remains in Los Angles with a game against Chivas USA before hosting Real Salt Lake in the Rocky Mountain Cup finale. Chivas has been hot winning their last four games in a row, and the Rapids will have their work cut out for them.
They are chasing RSL, who has 36 points for the final guaranteed spot in the West, however, RSL goes to Dallas who stands a point up on the Rapids and a point back of RSL at 35.
The game is enormous, because if either team wins, the Rapids would need a victory at the Home Depot Center since RSL would be five points up on the Rapids and Dallas, who would only be four points up, holds the head to head tie breaker on the Rapids. A tie is the only good result in that game.
It also means, the Rapids have no choice but to win the season finale at home against RSL.
Of course, there is also the wild card race, which has so many teams in contention the combination are incredible. What's more remarkable, is there are very few games where the teams in contention for the wild card spot are head to head games.
In short, nothing but six points in the next two games will get us into the playoffs, and even if that were to happen, we could still miss out. The race isn't completely in our hands anymore going from undefeated in September to pointless in October.
The gloves are off, and for the Rapids, there can be no more loses if they plan on lifting MLS Cup without some major events going their way.