This is that time of year that we've been building up to all season long. I only feel bad because the paying gigs have kept me tied up and away from you all again. Still, the lure of the postseason race heating up and the movement at the top and bottom of the standings was too strong to resist not coming by and having a few words before the regular season finishes up. Let's look a little closer at the races going on for the final spots.
Carolina has a remaining schedule of Portland and away to both Minnesota and California. Charleston goes to Miami and then host Puerto Rico. Miami will hope to win their final game against Charleston and then for both the Battery and Railhawks to get nothing out of their remaining games. Truthfully, after what's transpired this season, all 3 of these clubs are about in the position they deserved to be in. They haven't been consistent but they haven't been terrible.
In what has to be deemed one of the wildest overestimations of a team's ability in quite some time on my part, Vancouver nearly got pushed out of the playoff picture entirely. In fact, they're not entirely out of the woods yet on that count. They need two more points to guarantee a place in the postseason. Luckily, their final 3 matches are at home but they should be tested by all of the visitors, Minnesota, Atlanta and especially Portland. I can't even begin to eat enough crow on this one, I really can't.
Mea culpa to the Seattle fans as well, after saying you'd be on the fringe of missing the playoffs this season as well. As of today the Sounders are sitting pretty with remaining matches against Minnesota (twice) and California. Six points from those matches would lock up the top spot. Anything less than that and they'd leave the door open for both Portland and Montreal who, after a midseason swoon, have hit some solid form coming into the playoffs.
The Timbers have a tough cross-country trip to face the Railhawks before they return home to meet the Whitecaps. Playing against two clubs essentially fighting for their seasons' could put paid to Portland's efforts to climb to the top spot for the playoffs. The Impact also has a tough road with two matches against Rochester and another with Atlanta to close the gap. Right now, I can't see Montreal getting all 9 points but who knows? Of course, that's also assuming Seattle will pick up at least 5 to get to 53 points overall, but there is the possibility that won't happen. Regardless, the last couple of weeks of the season will be ridiculously exciting as the teams continue what has felt like a relentless shuffling of position all year long.
Meanwhile, one of the nicest guys in the USL business is headed to Argentina for a bit but it won't be on a scouting trip or anything of the like. Charleston President, Nigel Cooper, is calling it a day after this season. As someone who has spent a lot of time traveling to Charleston to cover the Battery, the League and to be a supporter, I can say that, without a doubt, his presence will be missed around Blackbaud Stadium. He's one of the shining examples of a person who had a million other things he could be doing but never shied away from taking a moment to have a word with you about the Battery, soccer or anything else that would come up in conversation. His sincerity, honesty and passion for the game have been a hallmark of his time with the Battery and he'll be missed.
I, however, won't be going to Argentina, although maybe I should after that Vancouver prediction back at the beginning of the year. Still, if they secure their spot, and since the Islanders already locked up a postseason position, there is still a chance for redemption on my season predictions… right? Yeah, no, at any rate, I'll be back before the playoffs kick off to give you my undoubtedly erroneous take on the field. Until then, tune in to FSC, check out usllive.com and get out to the stadium to support your favorite team.
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