Other MLS Games - Sept 30 - Oct 1

[OgtheDim]

Saturday

FCD @ Orlando 4pm - Orlando is trying to figure out who is going to be around in 5 months when the 2018 season starts. Dallas is thinking they just need to get 9 points out of 4 games to sqeeek into the playoffs. Recipe for a draw
What we want - Orlando to win so they have some hope when they play Columbus with two games to go, thus making CBus's run in that little bit more difficult.
What will happen - 1-1 tie


DCU @ Columbus 7:30pm - DCU is in pure spoiler mode, even discussing it after drawing with NYRB mid week. But, CBus is more motivated (win gets them a playoff game), have had time off and are just a better team.
What we want - Columbus has been in playoff mode since August and we could do with them losing something unexpectedly
What will happen - 3-0 win for the home team


Atlanta @ NER 7:30pm - NER went back to being an undisciplined mess in their last game against Orlando. But, at home, they pose a different challenge for Atlanta - NER has won every game at home this year since July. Atlanta hasn't won away since July, drawing 2 and losing 1 since. I'm calling for a draw here to stunt that Atlanta momentum.
What we want - an NER win that will give Atlanta pause
What will happen - a tough 1-1 draw that will give Atlanta pause


NYCFC @ Chicago 8:30pm - Even if we get a win tomorrow, NYC has to keep going in order to get the first round bye. They played pretty good against a tired Montreal team mid week. Chicago is coming off a win away on the West Coast and now plays at home against a rival (sounds vaguely familiar). I think NYC gets 3 here as their teams rounds into playoff form.
What we want - A draw as a Chicago win will give them momentum into the playoffs & we really don't want them finishing ahead of Atlanta.
What will happen - 2-1 win for NYC


Minnesota @ Houston 8:30pm - The Loons are a great MLS team if this were 2008. Decent enough offence but that defence and midfield has issues. Houston has to win here and has too much firepower.
What we want - A Houston win to keep it interesting in the West
What will happen - 4-1 for the guys in Orange


Montreal @ Colorado 9pm - Thats a long trip after a midweek home loss. But, the Montreal squad is well suited to take advantage of Colorado's less then stellar technical players.
What we want - A Colorado win with a yellow to Cabrera who usually plays us tough. This would give room for NYRB to win next weekend and kick Montreal out of the playoffs before they play us.
What will happen - Piatti will run riot over a less then mobile Colorado back line. 3-1 win for the Impact


Vancouver @ SCK 9pm - a real 6 point swing game. Vancouver stunk up the joint in Seattle midweek and will do so again in this game. SKC is a better team with more experience of what to do at this time of the season.
What we want - a draw to stifle momentum
What will happen - SKC pulls back into first in the West where they will stay - 3-0


RSL @ LAg 10:30pm - RSL is a better team then that dumpster fire.
What we want - doesn't matter that much
What will happen - 2-0 win for RSL


Portland @ SJE 10:30pm - SJE has not done enough to show they can compete with playoff calibre teams. Portland is very very good right now.
What we want - an SJE win to stifle Portland momentum
What will happen - 2-1 for Portland



Sunday


Seattle @ Philly 1pm - Seattle is the better team and Philly's loss in ATL was dispiriting.
What we want - Philly win to stop any momentum for a West team
What will happen - Seattle 2-0 win - Philly officially out of the playoffs.

[Auzzy]

Saturday

Montreal @ Colorado 9pm - Thats a long trip after a midweek home loss. But, the Montreal squad is well suited to take advantage of Colorado's less then stellar technical players.
What we want - A Colorado win with a yellow to Cabrera who usually plays us tough. This would give room for NYRB to win next weekend and kick Montreal out of the playoffs before they play us.
What will happen - Piatti will run riot over a less then mobile Colorado back line. 3-1 win for the Impact

LOL, sorry you missed the most obvious storyline when Alan Gordon is available on the bench for one of the teams: Alan Gordon wins it for Colorado in the 80+ minute.

Most of the game played 10 v 10. I thought the red card to Lovitz was pretty weak. Final score 2-1 for Colorado.

[OgtheDim]

HOLY CRAP - Where to start?

Alan Gordon puts a dagger into Montreal's hopes.

Vancouver climbs clear after a game they had no business winning. If they made it to the Cup final playing back like that without pressure, we'd kill them.

NYC doe enough. Chicago really wanted that win.

NYRB can finish no higher then 6th and if they beat Vancouver next week, they clinch the last spot - then their game against Atlanta will be all about posturing for the playoffs.

Atlanta looks human - they have a probable win against the Loons to grab 2nd but then they have 2 tough games while Chicago has 2 very winnable ones. Atlanta could very easily finish 4th and we play them in the playoffs right off.

Columbus vs. NYC on the last day will be a good game.

Houston vs. SKC twice in mid October is going to decide who makes the playoffs and whether SKC gets a bye.

And...Portland just didn't get it done.

[Globetrotter]

Because of an illegal substitution by FCD vs Orlando, FCD might have to forfeit the game, dropping them down a point, and putting Orlando in 7th, only 2 points behind NYRB.