Supporters Shield Race

[Redpunkfiddle]

Atlanta and Vancouver can catch us for the shield.

After Wednesday, we'll know who can still catch us.

On Wednesday:

Atlanta plays Philly
NYCFC plays Montreal
Vancouver plays Seattle

Anything less than a win for all three of those teams seals the Shield for us. If any or all of them win, then "decision day" moves to Saturday.

It looks like it is otherwise. If our magic number is 3 with NYC, then if they draw they only drop 2 points and we still need 1 on Saturday. In theory if they draw on Wed, then they win out and we lose out then we are tied on points and wins but GD is the next tiebreaker. We have an impossible advantage in GD, but it is still statistically possible so we would not clinch.

If Van or Atl drop any points on Wed, then they are done. Looks like they kept up their wins recently and stayed closer to the shield race.

If we win on Sat its all done.

[fergiejr]

It looks like it is otherwise. If our magic number is 3 with NYC, then if they draw they only drop 2 points and we still need 1 on Saturday. In theory if they draw on Wed, then they win out and we lose out then we are tied on points and wins but GD is the next tiebreaker. We have an impossible advantage in GD, but it is still statistically possible so we would not clinch.

If Van or Atl drop any points on Wed, then they are done. Looks like they kept up their wins recently and stayed closer to the shield race.

If we win on Sat its all done.

Yeah, you're right - if you want to get technical and use facts and numbers and stuff like that. ;-)

[sn0re]

Even if Atlanta, NYC and Vancouver win their games on Wednesday, if we win on Saturday, that means we clinch the SS, right?...

[Oldtimer]

Even if Atlanta, NYC and Vancouver win their games on Wednesday, if we win on Saturday, that means we clinch the SS, right?...

Right. Three points clinch it.

[Soccer Mum]

We've blown it. We aren't going to win anything this year. This is vintage TFC.

[Auzzy]

We've blown it. We aren't going to win anything this year. This is vintage TFC.

Ha ha ha!

[Redpunkfiddle]

We've blown it. We aren't going to win anything this year. This is vintage TFC.

You need context to your sarcasm.

[Fort York Redcoat]

We've blown it. We aren't going to win anything this year. This is vintage TFC.

This is vintage bush league MLS.

[Soccer Mum]

This is vintage bush league MLS.

Nope, vintage MLS bush league is throwing streamers at players during corners.

[OgtheDim]

Og wonders why irony meter is going beserk...sees nickname complaining about post 2006 MLS supporter culture....goes back to Big Soccer Forums in nostalgia.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Nope, vintage MLS bush league is throwing streamers at players during corners.

Lol. Ya them wuz the days.

At least we're soon to end a wait for a top of the league trophy. I'll appreciate the hell out of that.

[BelfastBoy]

Even a draw on Saturday would mathematically increase the odds of taking the shield.

[EL DUQUE'----']

Just wanted to share some important news on the shield race. Atlanta's Almiron, who is a ridiculous player, pulled his hammy, out 3 weeks.

[ScarboroughRed]

Win these two home games and play a low block in the final game against Atlanta.

Put Seba, Jozy, Victor and Michael (If Cheyrou healthy) on the bench and just test the waters with the B team. Bring out any of those guys in the second half.

Sucks that we'd be tied with the record but I'd rather tie it and be healthy than beat it and fall when it matters (ala GS Warriors). The goal is the Shield, everything else is icing.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Win these two home games and play a low block in the final game against Atlanta.

Put Seba, Jozy, Victor and Michael (If Cheyrou healthy) on the bench and just test the waters with the B team. Bring out any of those guys in the second half.

Sucks that we'd be tied with the record but I'd rather tie it and be healthy than beat it and fall when it matters (ala GS Warriors). The goal is the Shield, everything else is icing.

[Derko]

Win these two home games and play a low block in the final game against Atlanta.

Put Seba, Jozy, Victor and Michael (If Cheyrou healthy) on the bench and just test the waters with the B team. Bring out any of those guys in the second half.

Sucks that we'd be tied with the record but I'd rather tie it and be healthy than beat it and fall when it matters (ala GS Warriors). The goal is the Shield, everything else is icing.

I agree

[Globetrotter]

Random fact: TFC have lost 14 points this year to non-playoff teams (this does not include MTL or NYRB games).

[boozilla]

The Shield + Records < MLS Championship
I'll savour this amazing season, regardless.

[OgtheDim]

Can't be caught by Vancouver now.

[rydermike]

Well nycfc and Atlanta both won, so the shield not clinched yet. Vancouver lost so they are out of contention

[BendItLikeGio]

EASTERN CONFERENCE	PTS	GP	GR	Max	Playoffs As of now	Shield?
Toronto FC *	62	31	3	71	Bye. Home Field Advantage
New York City FC *	55	31	3	64	Bye. Home Field Advantage
Atlanta FC *	52	30	4	64	Wildcard vs. New York Red Bulls
Chicago Fire *	51	31	3	60	Wildcard vs. Columbus Crew	NO Chance
Columbus Crew SC	47	31	3	56	Wildcard @ Chicago Fire	NO Chance
New York Red Bulls	43	30	4	55	Wildcard @ Atlanta FC	NO Chance
Montreal Impact	39	31	3	48	HOPE	NO Chance
New England Revolution	38	31	3	47	HOPE	NO Chance
Orlando City SC	36	31	3	45	HOPE	NO Chance
Philadephia Union	36	31	3	45	HOPE	NO Chance
D.C. United	32	31	3	41	Eliminated	NO Chance
WESTERN CONFERENCE	PTS	GP	GR	Max	Playoffs?
Vancouver Whitecaps FC	48	30	4	60	Bye. Home Field Advantage	NO Chance
Portland Timbers	47	31	3	56	Bye. Home Field Advantage	NO Chance
Sporting KC	47	29	5	62	Wildcard vs San Jose	NO Chance
Seattle Sounders FC	47	31	3	56	Wildcard vs Real Salt Lake	NO Chance
Real Salt Lake	41	31	3	50	Wildcard @ Seattle	NO Chance
FC Dallas	41	30	4	53	Wildcard @ Sporting KC	NO Chance
Houston Dynamo	40	30	4	52	HOPE	NO Chance
San Jose Earthquakes	39	31	3	48	HOPE	NO Chance
Minnesota United FC	32	29	5	47	HOPE	NO Chance
LA Galaxy	28	31	3	37	Eliminated	NO Chance
Colorado Rapids	26	30	4	38	Eliminated	NO Chance

*clinch playoff spot

[ensco]

MLS Cup now guaranteed to be played in Toronto again

(oh right ... assuming we get there)

[Oldtimer]

TFC has the best odds of any team of winning the cup, but that's still less than 50%. For winning the shield, we probably need to win one of the next three games.

[Super]

3 pts and we win the shield. Max pts anyone else can get is 64. We'll be 65 with a win on Sat. Historic day potentially!

[BelfastBoy]

3 draws to end the season on 65 points and the shield.

[Ben - D.O.W.]

3 draws to end the season on 65 points and the shield.

Maybe it's the last decade watching TFC talking, but I would hate to be playing for something on the last week of the year in Atlanta. Let's just get it done this weekend.

[Globetrotter]

Imagine we get two ties and land at 64 points. Atlanta wins their next 3 (NE, Min, NYRB) and land at 61 points. The game in ATL last week of the year would be insane. ATL would be FLYING with 70K fans, and we would be on a 4 game winless streak.

Good thing NYRB are playing very poorly and we should take care of business and bring home all 3. We'll then beat MTL to take us up to 68 points.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Let's win these 2 home games by a total of 6 goals plus differential, and then in the last game in Atlanta play the 3rd string players of TFC, not even a single player from the first team, and lose to 0-6!

[Red4ever]

Not trying to plan too much, but....

It would be nice if this thing is in the bag so that we can play 3rd stringers to atlanta and have them get the bye. Means we wouldnt see them til the conference finals.

They worry me.

[Ben - D.O.W.]

It would be nice if this thing is in the bag so that we can play 3rd stringers to atlanta and have them get the bye. Means we wouldnt see them til the conference finals.

Even if Atlanta finish 3rd there's no way we see them until the ECF is there? As the number one seed we play the lowest remaining seed in the semifinals - there's no way for that to be Atlanta since it's out of seeds 3-6.