Setting the Table: Chicago Fire edition

With a draw against Houston on Saturday (a record 16th that they still share with New York Red Bulls, thanks to a late game-tying goal by Thierry Henry vs. Toronto), Chicago still sits just three points out of playoff contention as we enter the last three weeks of the 2011 season. After the all-important Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Final, to be played Tuesday against Seattle Sounders at CenturyLink Field, Chicago will turn to their remaining three matches of the season, looking to make that final late surge into playoff contention.

Here are some facts and scenarios for the coming weeks, and a few ideas for exactly how Chicago can get into that final playoff spot in their 2011 campaign.

• FC Dallas, Chicago’s next opponent has dropped 4 straight, and have not scored a goal in 360 mins. They are 4 mins. away from breaking a club scoreless record.

• Chicago has taken 10 points in 5 games, good enough for 3rd in the league behind LA (13) and Seattle (12).

• If Chicago beats Dallas, they will pull even with New York Red Bulls (assuming a Red Bulls loss against LA on Tuesday night).
• Chicago remaining schedule: home vs. FC Dallas, away vs. DC United, home vs. Columbus.

• DC United remaining schedule: away vs. Vancouver, home vs. Chicago, home vs. Portland, home vs. Sporting KC.

• Portland remaining schedule: home vs. Houston, away vs. DC, away vs. RSL.

• NYRB remaining schedule: home vs. LA, away vs. Sporting KC, home vs. Philly. All games they can EASILY lose.

Given the remaining schedule for all clubs involved, it would appear that, if Chicago fails to make the playoffs, it will be at the hands of DC United, either by United’s doing, or a loss in one of their other remaining games outside the October 15th match at RFK Stadium. In addition, I think Portland and NY fall apart (relatively speaking) in their remaining matches, at least to the point of not making that final playoff spot. The Red Bulls could barely hold on against Toronto FC, there’s nothing that says they can pull off a win against any of their remaining teams, home or away. It’s also worth noting that Chivas USA is still technically in the playoff hunt, as they are currently just one point behind Chicago in the race. The Goats, if entered into consideration however, would have the most improbable run, as they only have two remaining games in the season, against LA Galaxy and Seattle. While the LA game is obviously at Home Depot Center, it’s considered an LA home game, meaning Chivas’ support will obviously be lower.

Here’s how I see the last games for each club playing out:

 
Chicago 3-0-0 (call it eternal optimism): 9 pts.

DC United 2-1-1: 7 pts.

Portland 1-2-0: 3 pts.

NYRB 0-2-1: 2 pts.

 
If that indeed ends up being the case, the season standings finish with a final point tally of:

 
Chicago: 46 pts.

DC United: 45 pts.

Portland: 43 pts.

NYRB: 42 pts.

For Chicago fans, their playoff hopes hinge on the strong play of the Fire in recent weeks, along with the hope of some help from the teams around them to push them into the playoffs, in what would easily become the Cinderella story of the 2011 MLS Season.

Image courtesy of chicago-fire.com