What We Want to Happen Today 9/29

First, apologies for the delay getting this out, I was at the Cauldron’s foot golf tournament today. No matter what happens in today’s games, Sporting Kansas City can’t clinch a playoff berth officially until after tomorrow’s game against Real Salt Lake. That said there are a number of matches today that can certainly have an affect on Sporting as they push towards the playoffs. Here’s what to root for in today’s action in MLS.

Los Angeles FC at Chicago

What we want to happen - Chicago win

Chicago was eliminated from playoff contention on Wednesday night when they lost to New York City FC, and technically has nothing to play for any more this season. Meanwhile, LAFC sits in third place in the West, one point behind Kansas City at this point. Obviously LAFC dropping all three points on the road is the result that KC is rooting for here.

Colorado at Seattle

What we want to happen - Colorado win

Seattle sits in the sixth and final playoff spot in the West on 44 points, seven behind Kansas City. The Rapids taking all three points against Seattle would allow Kansas City to keep the seven point gap on the Sounders with Seattle having just four games to play after tomorrow.

Montreal at DC

What we want to happen - DC win

This match really doesn’t have a huge effect on Kansas City but a win by DC would keep their max point total at 53, three points ahead of KC’s current point total, a total that KC should surpass. A DC win would also reduce Montreal’s max points to 49 for the season, meaning that if Montreal holds onto a playoff spot and the Impact and Sporting met in MLS Cup somehow, the game would be in Kansas City.

Philadelphia at Columbus

What we want to happen - draw

The two teams sit on 47 points (Columbus) and 46 points (Philadelphia) with both teams having four games remaining heading into this weekend. Both teams dropping points would be to the benifit of Kansas City in the chance of an MLS Cup match up with either side.

New England at Toronto

What we want to happen - New England win

Really this game doesn’t mean much to Kansas City as neither team can catch Kansas City for points in the league this season so if either make the playoffs and reach MLS Cup to play KC, they’d be coming to Children’s Mercy Park. That said of the two teams, Toronto, for all their issues this season is still probably the more talented team and of the two would seem the more likely to really cause trouble in the playoffs if they make it. So Toronto being basically out of the picture would be best.

New York City at Minnesota

What we want to happen - Minnesota win

NYCFC jumped ahead of Kansas City in the single table standings with their win on Wednesday and sit on 53 points with three games left (counting this weekend’s game). Dropping points would allow KC to move back ahead of them with a win against RSL Sunday. Minnesota meanwhile is barely hanging onto their playoff lives which while slim may be a motivating factor down the stretch.

San Jose at Houston

What we want to happen - Doesn’t matter

Houston can not catch Kansas City and is only hanging onto their playoff lives by a thread in 10th in the West. While I could say root for Houston like Minnesota to keep that small motivating factor alive, I’ve seen KC fall too much to Houston in the playoffs that I want that option (as remote as it is) off the table.

Vancouver at LA

What we want to happen - draw

Both teams sit just below the red line in the West, LA in seventh on 41 points and Vancouver in eighth on 40. Both dropping points wouldn’t guarantee that either can’t catch KC but it’ll make it very close.

Dallas at Portland

What we want to happen - draw

While this result will put Dallas three points ahead of Kansas City before they take the field on Sunday, it will also keep Portland three points behind Kansas City in fourth place in the West. KC really wants neither of these teams to get points at all, but since that can’t happen, each team only getting one point is the best result for Kansas City as a whole.