Ending the Gal's "miracle" run

Okay, with all eyes on the LA Beckhams, a good LA team would be good for the league. But the fact is, LA is NOT a good team, and if they were to continue their miracle run (which really isn't all that miraculous given the teams its been playing) and eke into the playoffs, well that would be bad for the league.

LA is 7-13 (with 6 draws). That is not a good team. That's not even a mediocre team. On Sunday, Dynamo-Houston can do the MLS a big favor by permanently ending LA's run. It also helps that the Dynamo would also help themselves with the 3 points.

Here's how the LA Times sums up the final stretch we face with Chivas USA:
Houston has three games left, Chivas four. To clinch the West before the Oct. 20 game against Houston, Chivas would need to build at least a four-point lead. Thus the Dynamo can keep its hopes alive by winning its next two games, even if Chivas wins its next three. If the teams finish tied for first, Houston holds the tiebreaker because it has beaten Chivas twice this season.

So Chivas needs help before the season finale, and the Galaxy could provide it.

Chivas would be in a position to clinch first place in the conference if Houston loses one of its next two games or ties both and Chivas manages two wins and a draw in its next three -- two of which are road games, starting with tonight's game.

It would be nice to make the final game versus Chivas the match that decides the Western Conference Champion. I wouldn't be surprised, however, if the winner of that game loses the successive match in the playoffs. That's how things work.

But first things first: we need to beat the Galaxy here and take the 3 points. We need it to improve our playoff position, but also to ensure we're in the top 4 of the league for SuperLiga 2008.

Tomorrow I'm sitting in a different row of chairs. I'm still in Section 118, but I'm in the "Handicap Access" rows on the edge of the walkway at the top of the sideline sections. Due to the crowds, that will be a very strange place to sit: I imagine the seats will have lots of room, but a lot of lingering pedestrians too.