On the latest edition of the Philly Soccer Show podcast, co-hosts Greg Orlandini of KYW NewsRadio and Eli Pearlman-Storch of the Philly Soccer Page were joined by Philly Soccer Page writer Adam Cann for a roundtable discussion of the Philadelphia Union’s playoff chances. During the discussion, Eli devised a grid projecting the final season standings for the Eastern Conference that included projected points earned in each of the remaining games. The conclusion? Eli predicted a second place finish for the Union, one point behind first place Kansas City.
Is the way the season will end? Who knows? But we want to hear your thoughts. One thing seems certain. As Adam wrote in the match preview for tonight’s game with DC United, for the Philadelphia Union, the playoffs start tonight.
The comment section is open.
There are a lot of purists who think playoffs in MLS are a travesty, but it really makes the end of the season so much more exciting! As for predictions, I think we have a good chance to take 3 at Chivas, and I predict the NYRB match will end with a decisive result… but in whose favor I don’t know! Otherwise, probably about right.
Union have a good chance at 3 pts vs Chivas? Union have 1 point total in all west coast games all time…
The table has the Union nicking a tie against Chivas, a team with which the Union so far has a 2-0-1 record. If I’m not mistaken, the Union’s all-time point total against Western Conference teams is 25 (11 in 2011, 14 in 2010; Houston was in the West in 2010), 6 points of which were earned on the road (2 points in 2011, 4 in 2010).
great table; thanks! will make a print and keep track of how the teams actually do.
The chart looks realistic…but obviously there will be surprises. One thing to note, in the dc @ columbus game, you predict columbus getting 1 point and dc 0. Obviously that can’t happen. Either they both get 1 or someone gets 3 and the other 0.
Fixed! With DC getting 1 more point they finish level on points and overall record with Houston but Houston has the better head-to-head record and the final standings remain the same.
If DC and Houston tie on points, I believe DC would be seated higher. DC’s goal differential, goals scored, and away record – the deciding factors should teams be tied on points – are all currently better than Houston’s.
From the MLS website:
“In the event that two teams finish the regular season with an equal number of points, the following system will be used to break the tie:
1) The highest position shall be awarded to the team with the better win/loss record in current regular season games against all other teams equal in points. (head-to-head competition)
2) If the teams are still equal in the standings, the highest position shall be awarded to the team with the greater goal difference against all other teams during the regular season. (goal differential)”
So, if I understand the rules correctly, with head-to-head record coming before goal differential, Houston comes out ahead of DC because they beat DC (4-1 at home on April 29) and tied them (2-2 on June 25 at RFK).
I have it sporting, crew, union, houston
Love the way this is laid out. Thanks for giving an easy reference for this last part of the season.
Kudos! The first game prediction was correct. Let’s hope the chart holds up.