At the All-Star Break is a convenient time to look back on our progress thus far. We're over halfway through the season (18 games down, 12 more to go), but most other teams are closer to the halfway mark (15). LA, on the other hand, has only played 12 games and has 18 to go. If they turn their ship around, they have enough games to catch up with anybody and everybody. In other words, we've got to keep on doing what we've been doing in the last month and a half.
If the MLS Cup tourney started today, here's how the teams would break out (showing points and number of games played):
Two West Leaders
33 Houston (GP: 18)
30 Dallas (GP: 18)
Two East Leaders
26 New England (GP: 15)
25 Kansas City (GP: 16)
Next Four Qualifiers
24 DC (GP: 15)
24 New York (GP: 16)
24 Chivas (GP: 15)
22 Columbus (GP: 17)
Five Out Of Playoffs
19 Toronto (GP: 16)
17 Colorado (GP: 17)
16 Chicago (GP: 16)
13 Los Angeles (GP: 12)
9 Salt Lake (GP: 15)
If the MLS Cup tourney started today, here's how the teams would break out (showing points and number of games played):
Two West Leaders
33 Houston (GP: 18)
30 Dallas (GP: 18)
Two East Leaders
26 New England (GP: 15)
25 Kansas City (GP: 16)
Next Four Qualifiers
24 DC (GP: 15)
24 New York (GP: 16)
24 Chivas (GP: 15)
22 Columbus (GP: 17)
Five Out Of Playoffs
19 Toronto (GP: 16)
17 Colorado (GP: 17)
16 Chicago (GP: 16)
13 Los Angeles (GP: 12)
9 Salt Lake (GP: 15)
Things look good at this point, but there's plenty of time for things to go sour should we not continue getting results. I'd say that we can still get to the playoffs if we play mediocre (as long as we don't play badly), but I think we should be shooting for the double: the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. It's an achievable goal.
How do our numbers look compared to last year? Looking at totals won't tell us much, since we've only played 18 games to last year's 32; but we can compare the game-to-game statistical performance by looking at the averages and percentages. Here's a simple table that I crudely uploaded, thus making it virtually unreadable:
In short, we're doing better all around. More than half our games are wins (as opposed to a third last year, and less that 10% on the road). We're getting 1.8 points per game (2 per game at home) and scoring 1.4 goals a game, while conceding about 1 goal every 2 games (0.56 goals per game). Last year we were scoring slightly less per game (1.38 goals per game), allowing much more per game (1.25) and earning fewer points on average. All in all, we've improved. Credit goes to Dom and the lads on the field. Let's take this All-Star breather, then continue with our foot firmly on the Dynamo accelerator.
How do our numbers look compared to last year? Looking at totals won't tell us much, since we've only played 18 games to last year's 32; but we can compare the game-to-game statistical performance by looking at the averages and percentages. Here's a simple table that I crudely uploaded, thus making it virtually unreadable:
In short, we're doing better all around. More than half our games are wins (as opposed to a third last year, and less that 10% on the road). We're getting 1.8 points per game (2 per game at home) and scoring 1.4 goals a game, while conceding about 1 goal every 2 games (0.56 goals per game). Last year we were scoring slightly less per game (1.38 goals per game), allowing much more per game (1.25) and earning fewer points on average. All in all, we've improved. Credit goes to Dom and the lads on the field. Let's take this All-Star breather, then continue with our foot firmly on the Dynamo accelerator.
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