1. DC United | WDWWD | Next: SAT-TFC
Lucky to escape Chicago with a point as the Fire had the better chances and United was missing most of its starting midfield. But winning teams find a way, though Moreno's late equalizer was surely the oddest of "ways". Next up is a classic late-season top versus bottom against TFC and those are always potential banana peels.
2. Chivas USA | DWWDW | Next: SAT-Fire
Razov sticks the dagger in KC in stoppage time to move Chivas to the head of the Western pack and keep their chances of grabbing the Supporters' Shield alive. More visitors from the East arrive bearing playoff dreams this weekend as Osorio's Aging CONCACAF Inferno look to cook a little Goat stew. Will the America (and anti-America) faithful turn out to boost those pathetic attendance figures?
3. Houston Dynamo | WDDWW | Next: SUN@Dallas
The Dynamo are starting to build up a bit of steam and they've had a week's rest to get healthier. They'll get right back into the fray with the Lone Star Derby, hoping to take some valuable points off a stuttering Dallas side.
4. New England Revolution | WWLWD | Next: SAT-Rapids
Lucky that the Bulls' heading was off as the Swamp Things had the majority of the chances, but Twellman is lethal and always gives the Revs a chance. Former head man Clavijo leads his reeling rag-tag band of brutes into the Big Razor at the weekend. Did you know he used to coach a team named the ThunderCats? It's true! ThunderCats, Clavi-HO!!!
5. FC Dallas | LWLDL | Next: SUN-Dynamo
Lots of flash, but no powder as the Hoops need a last-minute equalizer against the Fire at home. A similar story in LA as they go down a man in the first half and succumb to a late winner. Dallas are pretty much out of the Supporter's Shield race as it would take some serious voodoo for them to catch the top dogs now. If they hold any hope of doing so, three points in the Lone Star Derby at the weekend is a must.
6. (+2) Chicago Fire | LWDDD | Next: SAT@Chivas
Unlucky to surrender a stoppage time equalizer in Dallas and doubly unlucky not to get the win over top of the table United. What should have been a six point haul, dragging them level with KC and virtually cementing their playoff place, turns into a measly two, giving them the slightest edge on Columbus and Colorado heading into the final four matches. It doesn't get any easier with a tasty visit to Baby Chivas that should have the America and Big Chivas fans turning out to welcome Señor Blanco. Fortunately for the Fire, nobody else in the land of Mid-Table Mediocrity is doing much of anything, so two draws bump you up the Dogpile.
7. (-1) Red Bull NY | LLWLD | Next: SAT-RSL
The Bulls need some heading practice this week and will be aggrieved that the linesman called off a perfectly good goal in the first half. Still, they probably had enough chances to win the game, but couldn't make them count. They'll probably have an abundance of chances again this weekend as RSL come calling.
8. (-1) Kansas City Wizards | LLDWL | Next: THR-LA
The Wiz continue to slide closer to the jaws of the chasing sharks as a solid effort in LA comes to naught when Razov drops a brace on them and wins it late. If any of the chasing pack could find a consistent run of results, Onalfo's men might be in trouble, but as it stands, their post-season status is all but assured. It wouldn't hurt, however, to put a spanking on somewhat resurgent LA at home and on national television to boot during ESPN's weekly fiasco of a broadcast.
9. (+1) Columbus Crew | DDLLW | Next: SUN-LA
A massive result on the road in front of all those singing Canadians. Sigi's boys show some playoff pluck by coming from a goal down to grab the victory and keep their post-season dream alive, and they do it all without their Argentine talisman. Next up will be a visit from the road-weary and desperate Galaxy, which means the Crew have potentially the easiest fixture among the three fighting for the final playoff spot. The fact that they could destroy LA's last vestige of playoff hope makes the tie that much more appetizing for Sigi. And he's not one to ignore the demands of appetite!
10. (+2) LA Galaxy | WLLDW | Next: THR@KC, SUN@Crew
Looked to have righted the ship coming from behind against RSL, but couldn't close the deal. Got the result at the weekend over 10-man Dallas to provide a slight glimmer of playoff hope. If they somehow manage to win their two games in hand, they'll be five points out of a playoff spot with a four game swing hanging in the balance. Unlikely - but possible nonetheless. KC and the Crew on the road aren't the easiest of chances to take, but nor are they the most difficult.
11. Real Salt Lake | LLDDW | Next: SAT@NYRB
Fought back to earn a draw at home against LA and then dealt a blow to the Rapids' playoff hopes to continue a run of decent results. Despite having a mathematical chance at the playoffs, it's really all about auditioning for a spot on next season's roster at this point. The stage will be a big one again this week as they step onto the Field Turf in the Swamp, though the audience may not be particularly impressive.
12. (-3) Colorado Rapids | WDLDL | Next: SAT@Revs
For all of RSL's recent improvements, a loss to them is no way to state your playoff intentions, particularly when your next match is a tough away date against high-flying New England. Clavijo's men had a good run to put themselves into the playoff mix, but recent results have gone awry and they're falling behind the Crew and Fire. Unless they start picking up points soon, the post-season will be but a memory of what could have been. ThunderCats, Clavi-HO!!!
13. Toronto FC | LLLDL | Next: SAT@DC
The Reds come out flying, but after some early pressure, the Crew begin to establish dominance and eventually fight back for the win. Hey, at least they managed to find the net, right? Howdy, crickets! I expect it will be more of the same this weekend when TFC make their inaugural visit to RFK, though these top versus bottom fixtures late in the season do tend to throw up a surprise now and then.
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