There are two games this MLS decision day that are going to pretty much define how the playoffs are going to be played. In the East it’s Columbus vs Orlando City. We’ve been on this matchup for a while now. Just a couple of days ago it was Columbus that was on the outside looking in. Now it’s Orlando who is in the win and in scenario. They get the benefit of playing at home after a rather short road game in the midweek matchups that doesn’t necessarily mean that we see them with the upper hand in the matchup.
Over in the west the Minnesota versus Vancouver game is the one that we’ve got our eye on as the game that’s going to detonate the rest of the action. Vancouver was a bit of a long shot to make the playoffs. Now they are basically in a win, and in scenario. All things considered, they have to feel pretty good that they get a direct opponent in the final week to have a chance to heavily impact their own playoff hopes. It’s a team that is potentially the worst team in MLS over the last month and a half.
Can Orlando City Regroup To Take Out Columbus?
Despite how awful the team looked on defense in their midweek matchup against Inter Miami, Orlando City still have a chance to get in, and they’re at home. More than anything else what needs to change for this Orlando City squad is the sense of urgency with which they’re playing. Mental mistakes from the kickoff lost them the game in Miami. You can’t go down in the 30th second of a game that you have to win, and expect to come back.
Columbus on the other hand may not be a team that’s going to wow people at any point they’re always in close games. It’s hard to find a game that they’ve gotten down in by more than one goal. Even though they’re on the road they’ve been playing like a team that is truly fighting for a playoff spot. We expect that attitude on the quality of their squad to allow them to pull through. With Charlotte out of it in the East this is the game to watch.
The Whitecaps Are Coming In Hot They Could Surprise People
As we said, the Whitecaps are coming in hot having won 3 straight! That of course was preceded by a 3 game skid, that kind of consistent inconsistency if you will is what has them in this position. They hope they can show up in this got to have it game. Their issue is that they need to win, and get some help to get in!
Minnesota for their part is hanging for dear life to that last playoff spot. Their last win was in August, so this is definitely a team that’s not in their best shape coming into the end of the season. The only thing they have to hang their hat on is the fact that they are home for their final game of the season. They lost to San Jose in their last game for crying out loud though!
Other Teams With An Interest In These Final Games
Salt Lake, and Portland are also fighting for their playoff future in the East. In fact if Salt beats Portland, and Vancouver does the same to Minnesota both teams could leave their opponents home for the playoffs. Keep in mind the number of wins is the first tiebreaker in MLS. Even though Portland would be tied with Vancouver in points the Canadian side would have more wins. That Salt Lake versus Portland game is another matchup with heavy playoff implications.
