What We Want to Happen Today 10/16

We're into the final two weeks of the regular season and for Kansas City things are still up in the air regarding the playoffs. They still have a strong chance of qualifying for the playoffs, but scoreboard watching begins if Kansas City ends up losing to Salt Lake. The entire Western Conference kicks off at the same time today so that will add a little extra drama to the games as well. Out East there's not really much left for KC to focus on. Sure there are MLS Cup hosting chances, but even that feels like a bit of a pipe dream to wish for (more so than wishing for a trip to MLS Cup) so I'm solely going to focus on the West.

Colorado at Portland
What we want to happen - Colorado win

Portland is the lone team in the Western Conference still in the playoff race that is outside looking in right now. A win today for the Timbers would keep their playoff hopes alive for another week, especially if Sporting lose in Utah. That'd allow Portland to leap frog Kansas City and into a playoff position. The good thing for KC fans is that Colorado still has something to fight for, they are still chasing this year's Supporters' Shield, so they're not going to be putting out a reserve squad to rest their starters. The other thing to watch for in this game is that Portland have a must win CCL game this coming mid-week that could play some role in squad selection. A draw here also isn't the end of the world for KC as it would still allow Kansas City to control their own destiny if they lose to RSL.

Seattle at FC Dallas
What we want to happen - Dallas win

KC has two ways to clinch a playoff berth today, both involve KC beating RSL, but then they need Portland to lose/draw or they need Seattle to lose to Dallas (because of Seattle's final match being against RSL). So to hedge some bets here go ahead and root for Dallas to get the win. A Dallas win would also keep Kansas City's hopes of hosting a wild card game alive.

LA at Houston
What we want to happen - Houston win

It is still theoretically possible for KC to finish as high as third place in the West if they win out and LA takes no more than one point the rest of the season. So LA dropping points against Houston keeps those hopes alive.

Vancouver at San Jose
What we want to happen - doesn't matter

Both teams are eliminated from the playoff race.