Today, Toronto FC take on DC United at BMO Field, in what is sure to be the make-or-break game of the season. Three points were a must against Chicago, and only one point was taken home by Toronto. What does this mean for DC United? Well, it means you have a desperate Toronto FC side looking for points wherever possible, and, unfortunately for DC United, who have been in poor form throughout the year, that means the trip up north becomes a very difficult one.
Toronto FC is a strong home side, so three points against DC United isn’t impossible to imagine. A strong showing by the group along with the possible return of both Maicon Santos and Miguel Mista mean that Toronto FC go in with some kind of advantage. However, DC United cannot be taken lightly either, as we saw what happened last year when Toronto FC played the last place New York Red Bulls. Today’s job is simple; get those three points and put yourselves back into the mix, which is what Preki will be telling the team in the dressing room.
Looking at the numbers, three points is not a give or take here. We need those points. If Toronto can muster up four wins and a couple draws, we’ll have a good chance of making playoffs, assuming other results go our way. With only seven games left, Toronto need to win both the home and away legs against DC United and take those six points. That would put Toronto’s overall point total at 34. Not good enough just yet. Take a look at the standings and you see that both San Jose Earthquakes and Chicago Fire have two games in hand. Those results need to go our way. Realistically, Toronto should try to beat the Seattle Sounders, who have one more game and 33 points. The five point gap can be closed in two games.
There’s still a good chance that Toronto FC can make playoffs this season. A couple of scenarios should be considered. If Toronto wins 5 games, they make it no matter what the other 2 games produce. If Toronto wins 4 games, it would take a further 2 draws. If Toronto wins only 3 games, the other 4 need to be draws, and even then we’re at 67%. So, what number should Toronto FC fans dream about as they go to sleep in their downtown condos? 42. 42 points will give Toronto FC an almost 80% chance of making playoffs. 43 means Toronto has a 90% chance, and 44%+ means we’re in.
Well, looking at the remaining schedule, Toronto FC need to beat DC United at home and away. That’s 6 more points; bring the total to 34, like I said before. Now, a draw against Houston away is probably the most realistic result, so let’s make it 35. San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field is a winnable game, so we have 38. Sounders away will probably result in a draw or a loss. Assuming a loss, Toronto need to beat Chivas away, bring us to 41. So, really, the big game is Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew at BMO Field. Exciting isn’t it? If, IF, Toronto can beat the crew, we’re at 44 points, and if we draw, we’re at magic number 42. The Crew game, if everything prior to that day, has gone according to the plan, is the most crucial game. So, my friends, come the time where piss yellow shirts invade BMO Field, Toronto FC needs to stand strong and kick ass, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see some playoff football in Toronto this year!
Thanks to http://www.sportsclubstats.com/USA/MLS/East/TorontoFC.html for the stats!
Toronto FC is a strong home side, so three points against DC United isn’t impossible to imagine. A strong showing by the group along with the possible return of both Maicon Santos and Miguel Mista mean that Toronto FC go in with some kind of advantage. However, DC United cannot be taken lightly either, as we saw what happened last year when Toronto FC played the last place New York Red Bulls. Today’s job is simple; get those three points and put yourselves back into the mix, which is what Preki will be telling the team in the dressing room.
Looking at the numbers, three points is not a give or take here. We need those points. If Toronto can muster up four wins and a couple draws, we’ll have a good chance of making playoffs, assuming other results go our way. With only seven games left, Toronto need to win both the home and away legs against DC United and take those six points. That would put Toronto’s overall point total at 34. Not good enough just yet. Take a look at the standings and you see that both San Jose Earthquakes and Chicago Fire have two games in hand. Those results need to go our way. Realistically, Toronto should try to beat the Seattle Sounders, who have one more game and 33 points. The five point gap can be closed in two games.
There’s still a good chance that Toronto FC can make playoffs this season. A couple of scenarios should be considered. If Toronto wins 5 games, they make it no matter what the other 2 games produce. If Toronto wins 4 games, it would take a further 2 draws. If Toronto wins only 3 games, the other 4 need to be draws, and even then we’re at 67%. So, what number should Toronto FC fans dream about as they go to sleep in their downtown condos? 42. 42 points will give Toronto FC an almost 80% chance of making playoffs. 43 means Toronto has a 90% chance, and 44%+ means we’re in.
Well, looking at the remaining schedule, Toronto FC need to beat DC United at home and away. That’s 6 more points; bring the total to 34, like I said before. Now, a draw against Houston away is probably the most realistic result, so let’s make it 35. San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Field is a winnable game, so we have 38. Sounders away will probably result in a draw or a loss. Assuming a loss, Toronto need to beat Chivas away, bring us to 41. So, really, the big game is Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew at BMO Field. Exciting isn’t it? If, IF, Toronto can beat the crew, we’re at 44 points, and if we draw, we’re at magic number 42. The Crew game, if everything prior to that day, has gone according to the plan, is the most crucial game. So, my friends, come the time where piss yellow shirts invade BMO Field, Toronto FC needs to stand strong and kick ass, and maybe, just maybe, we’ll see some playoff football in Toronto this year!
Thanks to http://www.sportsclubstats.com/USA/MLS/East/TorontoFC.html for the stats!
I refuse to acknowledge us winning any road game or even any of our difficult home games after yesterday's disgrace.
ReplyDeleteDC United was winnable and we should've lost by 4 goals. This team quit like it always does and I'm sick of it.