Still buzzing off that win, are we? Three in a row and that’ll do quite nicely! We got that boost to our morale by answering some big questions: Could we handle the apparent champions-in-waiting in Seattle? Were we going to crumble under the pressure yet again? Could we defend effectively with a centerback on the left? The answer to all those questions, it seems, is big, resounding yes.
Let’s take a quick look at the table and see what our chances are, shall we? We’re currently sitting at 45 points, dropping us in at 4th in the West and 4th in the league — what an imbalanced year this has become — having played 26 games, two fewer than the three above us. The LA Galaxy are sitting on 55 points, the Sounders at 48, and FC Dallas at 46. With our two games-in-hand, this leaves us in a position where wins in our two games-in-hand will put us a mere four points behind the Galaxy and three ahead of Seattle and Dallas.
Our next two matches are against Sporting KC, one of the stronger teams in the east, and the New York Red Bulls, whose miserable season has been much discussed to this point. They’re both imminently winnable matches, and it does feel that we’re at a point in our season when we should be beating both quite easily. Of course, it’ll come somewhat down to fitness, injury and suspension, but we’ve certainly faced worse than what we’ll be up against.
It’ll be our home form that makes our season possible — we’re second only to the Galaxy in points earned at home — but our road form will make the season successful. We’re finally looking like actually winning on the road after our wins in the last few weeks against Chivas and Seattle, but question marks still hang over that side of our play.
If we manage to remain about even in form with the LA Galaxy, a feat but nothing by any means impossible, we’ll be facing them at a vital time. After that, there’ll be three games remaining, and if we defeat them — we all know we’re more than capable — we’ll be but a point down from the top. I know that wishing for the Supporters’ Shield is a big ask, but those writing off our chances do so at their peril.
Right, that’ll about do it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with, well, something or other. ‘Til tomorrow!
Comments