What We Want to Happen Today 10/7

In Sunday's three MLS match ups, KC got one result to go their way as LA and Seattle settled for a 1-1 draw. Other than that the other two matches saw Dallas jump ahead of KC (although the Houston loss does mean that the Dynamo cannot pass Sporting KC for points) and saw Salt Lake keep their ability to catch KC in the playoff race alive. With the international break this week there's a lack of games this weekend, but there are two tonight. Both can have some impact on KC's playoff positioning this year.

Montreal at New York
What we want to happen - Montreal loss

This one can really go any of the three ways for KC. A Montreal loss keeps them six points behind KC in terms of potential MLS Cup hosting duties, but at the same time it moves New York six points clear of KC at the top of the table, even though KC's Supporters' Shield hopes are virtually non-existent. A New York loss keeps them just three points up on KC but allows Montreal to cut the gap to three, but this is their last game in hand on KC (in fact they'll have played more games than KC after this weekend). I think KC could make up the three point gap on New York as the season winds down, but I don't think that the other four teams between KC and New York will also fall, allowing KC to jump over all of them. So at this point I'm thinking of potential MLS Cup final hosting.

Dallas at Vancouver
What we want to happen - draw

Both teams are ahead of KC and have a home-home series against each other in the final weeks of the season. With both teams ahead of KC in the West we don't want either team jumping more than three points ahead of KC. With that we're hoping for a draw from this game tonight (and the return trip to Dallas). This would keep both teams within touching distance for Kansas City.