Our Final Hope

In the US -- and particularly in the MLS -- there are three prizes to be had. The MLS Cup is the most visible and most heralded. The Supporters' Shield is, in my mind, the most prestigious, and I'm glad that the MLS is taking steps to improve the benefit that goes with winning this recognition. The least visible and least prestigious is the Open Cup.

With the 1-0 loss last Saturday to FC Dallas, Dynamo pretty much eliminated their chance to get the most prestigious of the triumvirate: the Supporters' Shield. The race is now between FC Dallas and DC United, which is in a bit of a slump of late. The reason for the Dynamo loss has become the all too familiar in recent matches: poor decision-making that led to a red card -- this time it was Eddie Robinson in the 30-something minute. For the 2nd time in 3 games, Dynamo had to play a man down for more than an hour. The other reason for the loss is one that has plagued the side the entire season: poor finishing despite terrific ball possession and controlling the pace of the game.

With the 3-1 loss yesterday, Dynamo eliminated their chance for what is perhaps the easiest prize: the US Open Cup. Again, lousy finishing -- including a missed DeRo PK, of all things -- led to our demise. The game should have been 2-2 at halftime, resulting in a tie at the end of regulation since we wouldn't have been desperately pushing forward.

Now all of our hopes rest on making it through the post season MLS Cup tourney. But first we have to earn a place there. It would help if we could create some distance between us and the other Western Conference teams this Sunday versus the Galaxy -- yes, we play them twice in one week. Win and we are at least temporarily 4 points from 3rd, 7 points from not qualifying for the MLS Cup tourney. Lose and we are likely in 3rd place, 2 points from not making the post season.

Is there a bright side to Dynamo's recent form? Yes: DeRo's solid play (including his spectacular 55-yard goal of the week, but not including his failed PK) and the return of Ching. Paul Daglish's appearance with the team might also be a good thing, but time will have to prove that.