The Major League Soccer season comes down to
the last weekend for FC Dallas, which is one of six teams battling for the
final two spots in the upcoming playoffs.
The best way for the Hoops (11-12-6) to make the second season is to win at
the Seattle Sounders on Saturday night. But even if they do win, they aren't
guaranteed a spot because they are currently tied with three other teams with
39 points.
If Dallas is the only team tied on 39 points to win, they will qualify. If it
wins and Colorado wins, the Hoops need D.C. United or New England to lose. A
tie could also get Dallas in if United doesn't tie.
The Hoops are coming off their fourth straight win and their fifth in six
games after a 2-1 victory vs. Colorado and hope to keep streaking on Saturday.
"In some ways, it's been a little bit easy for me because we've dug such a
hole for ourselves that we don't come out to get a point [any more]," Schellas
Hyndman said if his team's winning streak. "We come out to get three points.
We don't come out to hold a game and maybe let them [the opposition] make a
mistake. I think where we are right now is because we're focusing so much on
those three points. There is no holding back."
Seattle (11-7-11) has already clinched its spot in the playoffs in its
inaugural season, but also has an outside shot at the Western Conference
crown. It has 44 points while Los Angeles, Houston, and Chivas USA are all
tied atop the table at 45.
The Sounders are coming off 3-2 win at Kansas City Wizards that clinched their
spot in the upcoming playoffs. They are the first expansion team to make the
playoffs since the 1998 Chicago Fire.
"The scenario was different when Chicago did it because the league was a lot
younger," Seattle coach Sigi Schmid said. "I'm proud of our team, and I'm
proud of what we've accomplished. I still think we can play better soccer, but
that's just me. I always think we can play better soccer. We showed a lot of
desire, a lot of will power, a lot of attitude at times on the field, and
that's important to win games."
The Sounders will be without goalkeeper Chris Eylander, midfielder Michael
Fucito, and defender Taylor Graham because of injury. Dallas' only injury is
to defender Anthony Wallace.
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