Week 31 Preview – The Final Countdown

By: travis | October 24th, 2008

So I thought of this excellent title so I could simply link to the video of this great song. But it is also the last weekend of the season, with four teams in the hunt for two spot. With last week’s result, the Kansas City Wizards are in, and the Red Bull are in need of a little help from the match up of Columbus and DC. On the other side, the West comes down to one game, with a win or draw working in the favor of RSL, and the Rapids facing a must win to keep their season alive.

New England v Kansas City
This game went from all-important to let’s give our starters a rest in the span of 90 minutes last night. Without kicking a ball, the Revs were resigned to losing a chance at home field, and the Wizards secured their second consecutive postseason appearances. I seem to recall them being labeled as a sleeper last season, no idea they would actually get here. Well, with all that said, I fully expect a bit of a dud. KC still can have a say over their postseason opponent, so that’s something – win and they play against Columbus, a loss means a potential trip to Houston. Either side will probably throw a few reserves in, but keep relatively strong sides.
New England 2-2 Kansas City

Colorado v Real Salt Lake
This is the most exciting match of the weekend. Both sides with all to play for, leave nothing behind. RSL has the slight advantage with needing a draw or a win to advance, while the Rapids must win in order to make the playoffs. Real needs a result on the road, something that hasn’t come easy to them all season. Stakes are high for both sides, and it’s a hard road on either side. If you’re Real, do you play for a draw, maybe a little less aggressive than normal? The Rapids will come out guns blazing, and have nothing to lose. Everything will be thrown at Nick Rimando’s net, and I could see the mile high advantage in their favor.
Colorado 2-1 Real Salt Lake

San Jose v Toronto
The bay faithful will be given a nice sendoff in a meaningless game between MLS’ two newest franchises. They’ll be sent home to think of what could have been, seeing as the Quakes surge near the end of the season fell flat on its face in the last few weeks. What will each coach do? Send out a first XI, or look more towards the end of the bench, and give a rookie a shot in a garbage-time game? Lots of questions face each coach during the offseason, especially Toronto, who have a long list of assets at their disposal. San Jose to take this one in an entertaining match.
San Jose 2-1 Toronto

Chivas v Houston
The Goats are being held together by scotch tape, I swear. The past week news of another injury hit Chivas, as midfielder Sasha Victorine was ruled out two to four weeks with a knee sprain. Nothing sums it up better than the list here, with a grim sequence of players either out for Saturday or at least partially dinged up. And then of course, Houston has none reported. Life is unfair sometimes, it really is. I would expect both coaches to dig deep into the bench for this one, especially the Dynamo who are in the midst of trying to advance to the CL quarterfinals. Look for more fireworks if these two advance to the Western Conference finals, but not much from this weekend.
Chivas 1-1 Houston

Los Angeles v Dallas
Is this going to be Beckham’s last MLS game? I could care less, and the five other people that have read this far or my writing before know the apathy I feel for Becks. The more intriguing storyline – if any – permeating from this game is the Golden Boot race. Donovan on 19, Cooper on 18, will either of them really care… You know the rest. Speaking of those two, it’s more likely that they have served out their MLS time and could be looking at a move to somewhere over the Atlantic. Other than that, I’ve got nothing on this one – but Cooper and Donovan both getting hat tricks.
Los Angeles 4-3 Dallas

Columbus v DC United
This is it. Everything to play for this Sunday for United, as the Red Bulls clanker gave them hope. A lifeline, and a dream for the playoffs, something that seemed so far away from them a few weeks ago. It’s hard to discern what team deserves the playoffs less – New York or DC – with the way each has played this season. That aside, they now control their own destiny, and it must come with a win. The dream scenario for a DC fan (and agony for Red Bull fans) would be a Francis Doe-led rout of the Crew this weekend. Crazier things have happened right? If I were associated with the Red Bull, I would be phoning Sigi Schmid and begging him to play a first XI. If the likes of Robbie Rogers and Schelotto are out – which may happen – then DC might, just might get away with a win. I have no idea though, what happens in Columbus. All I can say, is that it’s do or die time for United, and the New York fans will be gnawing on their fingernails all game long. Francis Doe with the hat trick.
Columbus 1-3 DC United