Re: [nas] MLS playoff scenario's ?

["Kevin Lindstrom" <klindstr@flash.net>]

----- Original Message -----
From: <big_dog@fastmail.fm>


> There must be allot of them going into the final regular season week.
Anyone
> have the lowdown what needs to happen for what teams to get in ?
> BD

Well, we know this -- either LA or San Jose is going to end up No. 1.  No
one else can catch them.  Whoever isn't No. 1 falls to the No. 3 seed as the
Eastern Conference winner gets the No. 2 seed -- and it looks like that will
be Columbus.

I am pretty sure that Colorado and Dallas will be the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds,
with Colorado having a two point edge on Dallas going into the last week
(although if they end up tied on points, Dallas has the season series).

Behind Dallas is where the craziness begins.

New England and Metro can catch Columbus currently, and the Crew now go to
Chicago with the Fire playing for their lives -- so Columbus does not
necessarily have the East locked up.  Unfortunately for the Fire, they have
yet to really get on any sort of rhythm and have struggled at home.

Currently, the points are as follows: NY/NJ, City and New England at 35,
Chicago at 34 and DC at 32.  Remaining games are as follows: DC v. Dallas,
LA @ San Jose, Columbus @ Chicago, City @ Colorado, NY/NJ @ the Rev.

Needless to say, if United loses, they are out.  Win, and they probably
still need some help since they would only be ahead of Chicago on points and
would have the tie-breaker on NY/NJ before those two play.  Both would have
to falter.  Considering how Dallas has been playing and the calls from the
refs (funny how both teams playing against Eastern Conference teams outside
the playoffs ended up with two red cards each, huh?) there is a fair to good
chance United actually pulls off the win.

Beyond that is plain craziness.  Of the other teams, most are win and they
are in. Certainly all of the teams at 35 points are in that place, except
that two (Metro and the Rev) play each other and both cannot win -- although
they could tie and both might still make the playoffs.

City will have it tough since the Rapids will be playing at home and wanting
to ensure that they get HFA in the first round.  It is mathematically
possible for them to lose out (same for all of the 35 point teams if they
don't get a point in their last game) and it might come down to tie-breakers
(which I do not have -- anyone have that breakdown?)

Bottom line, looks like this (in order of likelihood, imho) -- No. 1 LA/SJ,
No. 2 Columbus, No. 3 SJ/LA, No. 4 Colorado, No. 5 Dallas, No. 6 New
England, No. 7-10 depending on tie-breakers (I think Chicago will tie the
Crew, DC will win and the Rev will win, leaving KC, Chicago, DC and Metro
all at 35 points).

So Sez Drummer Boy
http://flashpages.prodigy.net/klindstr/home.html





---
This week we honor the memory of those we lost on 9/11/2001, as well as those who continue to serve!